Click! Take a pic!
February 12, 2010
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To anyone with a child under ten years of age, I now officially apologize for the “Say click! Take a pic!” that will now be running through your head for the rest of the day. So sorry. Or not. It’s funny.
So one of my favorite tips when it comes to decorating is taking a picture of whatever you are working on as you go. When you take a picture, it allows you to flip through the different versions of the same space in seconds.
There are so many times I’ve moved something around and then moved it back and tried another way, and I just can’t figure it out because my mental image of the last arrangement is long gone. This is yet another example of my DOCD(Decorating OCD). You will find more examples of that in a second…
So when I went to redo our mantel in the family room, I only had one criteria – I didn’t want to spend any money. I had already looked at various stores and couldn’t find anything I loved to use on it, so I knew I would have to use what I had.
I told you back on this post that I was trying to break free of the symmetry when I decorated our mantel:
I’ve never decorated this fireplace with the suggestions in that mantel post because it’s so very deep and not wide, like a normal mantel. But I got to thinking, why not decorate it that way?
I wanted to keep the large woven platter thing because it filled in the space well. So I started working around it. I had the cloche on the little table in this post and put it on top of the Southern Living cake stand that had been in the basement. Then I added some glass jars from Joann’s in a grouping on the side to see how that worked:
I LOVED the cloche, but the jars were just too short and the glass wasn’t exactly working.
I tried raising them up with a book:
But that just made them look even more weird. If they weren’t glass this may have worked better.
So then I moved on and grabbed some urns from over the kitchen cabs and tried those:
So I scoured the tops of the cabinets some more (yes, there’s a plethora up there -- if you don’t like it, sue me). I had a couple chunky, tall candlesticks on top and I started a thinkin’. They may work perfect!
I loved it!:
The dark tones work with the iron work, which I love. I would love to use something white up here, but it would just disappear into the background. It is simple, and it has texture and variety.
I love how the candles worked perfectly to pull the colors out of the filler:
AND I can actually light them on the mantel, unlike way up high above the cabinets. Brilliant, eh?
Here’s where the DOCD comes in. I needed something to fill the spot on that little table where the cloche came from – this is how the evil decorating ball gets rolling.
I started with a stack of faux books with a vase on top:
I liked it OK for a while, but I’m trying to lighten things up in here and this was just a whole blob of dark.
So I tried a white finial on top instead:
Too bright.
I found some woven balls at Tarjay the other day for $1.24 each on clearance and couldn’t pass them up. So I just tried a tray with those inside:
It’s not exactly the color that I wanted, but I do like it. For now, this one is staying:
See? That’s why I love pictures – instant gratification. You can see the changes immediately!
Next up, the foyer table. Up till today the candle holders still had Christmas in them. Yes they did. Not lying. I finally got rid of the holiday decor and dumped it in the PIT THAT IS OUR BASEMENT. (Breathe.)
I tried moving the books around and couldn’t figure out what I liked best:
Then I remembered what has bothered me about this spot forEVA. I got the beautiful Ballard Designs print at my one and only trip to the outlet in Ohio. It was glorious.
Let’s pause to listen to the birds singing…
OK, onward. The print is much wider than the foyer table, and that’s always bugged me. If I had a longer table for that spot, it would fix things, but I don’t. And I was in the midst of DOCD and I had to work with what I had.
Lately this spot has bothered because it’s ALL the same color:
Next time you’re stumped, trying taking a picture. It really does give you a fresh look on the space.
love the idea of taking pictures to get a better idea of what you have. cute and low-i mean no cost!!
ReplyDeleteLove that you shared this transition through every step. I felt like I was the only one who agonizes over the placement of every little candlestick! I was sure everyone else just got it right on the first try. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact that you are always changing things up...makes it so fresh and new! :)
ReplyDeleteI use that "take a picture" tip all the time when I'm quilting (trying out different block arrangements) but it never occurred to me to use it with home decor options. Duh, me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out this tip in all it's simplistic brilliance.
Love the changes you made with your console tables! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteA great post and I love the transition of the Ballard print and mirror! Like it so much better and it lightend up those spaces and brought color as well. Have a wonderful Valentines day and weekend!!
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Victoria
You're so right about the pictures, it makes it so much easier to decide. I absolutely LOVE the decision you made about the mantel. It looks so good, and that cloche is wonderful. I really want one of those.
ReplyDeleteThe three pictures of the books reminded me of one of those find the differences pictures because at first I thought they all were the same! lol
Love the round mirror in its new home. I just changed two and a half rooms full of furniture last saturday b/c I ~~ahem~~ don't like any of it but it felt new to me at the end of the day -- kinda-sorta --
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled across your blog and LOVE all the inspirational ideas! Very cool mantle, by the way.
ReplyDeleteWell look at that. Lurve the table switcheroo. Perfection Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the urns on the mantel. Oops! Was I not supposed to tell you that for fear of DOCD.
I think you gave it to me now. My hubs is out of town. Uh-oh. He!
I love the changes of the mirror and picture. Big difference!
ReplyDeleteLvoe yout blog! I just found it and now obsessed.I love to cook like you love to decorate and I think it is great when we do what we love. I am always on the look out for new decor ideas so this is great. I will be following you and checking back in each week. Have a wonderful weekend and happy v-day!
ReplyDeleteLord..glad I'm not the only one who does this..lol..love your changes!
ReplyDeleteI have a problem with you. You don't live close enough to me so we can be BFFs and you can help me decorate my house. DRAT! Are you planning on moving to Phoenix any time soon?
ReplyDeleteHi TDC!
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for a while now and just had to comment on this post. I laughed my whole way through because I do the exact same thing. I take pictures as I decorate to compare and see what goes better. My husband thinks I am CRAZY and says I suffer from " Rearrange Syndrome" because I am constantly moving decor things around our house! I identify with your DOCD to a tee! It takes the perfect mix of color, texture and size of things to get the right look. I love your blog and am always impressed and inspired when I read about your DIY projects and your love for decorating!
God Bless,
Hillary
I love those decorative balls in the cloche! Where did you get those? If you made them, would you be willing to do a tutorial on them? Thanks! Camille
ReplyDeletetcknudsen95@msn.com
Out of all your change ups that last one is my favorite! What a great difference and for free! I think the picture looks great over the longer table. I've been shopping my basement recently {I had no idea I had held onto some of this stuff!}.
ReplyDeletelove the changes! loved to see the process....
ReplyDeleteLove the mantle and that cute little lamp with the green shade is to die for!!
ReplyDeleteLove all the changes - they are all just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNow, if I could stop being Diego...
Bingo! That last switcheroo was the ticket. Looks great. You should start a fund with all the money you would have potentially spent when you didn't actually give up a cent. Then one day when you really want something...."Well la-ti-da! Look what I found!" exclaims Sarah.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love the last paragrapgh with your Ballard Designs portrait. Both spaces look very pulled together and polished. As I was looking at the first portion (with the three pics side by side) I was thinking the middle one where the lamp was on the books was the best looking for me. This post is super informational; I never would have thought to take pictures and go back to decide what looks best. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI think your re-do looks great. I like the mantel and the consols now that they are switched.
ReplyDeleteI just love that re-decorating for free! I haven't done the photo thing...it would probably help me see scale better. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteOh Sarah, good switch. I can see why you love it now.
ReplyDeleteGreat strategy! I really like the switch of the two tables. They look right at home in their new locations!
ReplyDeleteAmy
CRAZY How I read that title as my daughters in the next room watching Diego!!!! I've always LOVED your mantle and quite jealous of such a cool space to decorate and those iron thingys hanging on the wall and and and....
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone! "Hi, my name is Erin and I too suffer from DOCD".... THIS is exactly how my brain works as well. Thanks for sharing, love the changes btw.
ReplyDeleteI am right there with you. When I start changing things around I keep working on it and working on it. Then you have to fix the place that you took something from. Or when I bring home something new then I have to find a place for it and then it replaces something else. It is a vicious cycle. My sister and I always laugh about how we move one thing and replace it with another. Many things are sitting in my bonus room which is looking more like a basement. I love the changes you made. The mirror and art switch are right on.
ReplyDeletei totally agree with you on the pictures, i always have to do that. other wise i forget what it looked like before. i love the mirror.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, I'm totally doing this next time........instead of dragging the hubs in and repeatedly asking 'do you like it now..........what about now"
ReplyDeletegreat post and I love the switch-up.
The changes look great. Sometimes all we need is just a small change.
ReplyDeleteOh I so LOVE your sense of humor! I was immediately singing Diego's " Click ~ Take a Pic" while reading your header! LOVED IT! Taking pictures is such a wonderful idea! All the changes you made look fabulous and didn't even cost you a dime!!! LOVE IT! Course I might be cursing you later while I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep with Diego's song keeping me awake... Sheesh! :)
ReplyDeleteLove how you refer to it as DOCD- I think I have that too!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog and fell in love.
ReplyDeleteSigh~ {insert music & birds singing here}
I'll be back to see more lusciousness and intelligence.
Thanks for sharing.
All of your changes are PERFECT! I especially love the change with the picture and the mirror- exactly what the spaces needed. Great job!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous..please come help me with my pitiful decor with free stuff I already have around the house!!!
ReplyDeleteAbout the blog title...thanks a lot. Lol....It keeps replaying and replaying and replaying in my head! I love how you changed everything!
ReplyDeleteYou are Hil-ar-ious!!!!!! We don't watch Diago so i had no idea what you were talking about until the end. I love the picture and mirror switch. It is so much more proportional now!!!!
ReplyDeleteI always take pictures. It helps so much! I did it just the other day when I was hanging new curtians. Love the changes!
ReplyDeleteWoo-hoo, I made it to the end! ;) Taking pictures is a great idea. Switching that round mirror and Ballard print was genius! I also love that it cost you $0.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I read your blog daily, and for some reason rarely comment. I should start... here we go. I would love to know where you got your candlesticks... the brown ones... they are just what I have been looking for. Please let me know on your blog or on a reply.. anything would be great.
ReplyDeleteLove the taking picture tips, fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAlso, the new mantel is great. But the mirror and Ballard Designs print swticharoo is the best. PERFECTO!!! :)
God's blessings,
Sarah :D
i thought i was the only one who took a picture to really see what i liked! and I was at Ikea to day and Diego was playing loud and clear in the cafe!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFree changes and a fun time redecorating - can't beat that!
ReplyDeleteI just clicked on the Diego link as I didn't have a clue (my youngest has thankfully moved on from Dora et al) and NOW the song is stuck in my head...permission given to laugh at my expense!
ReplyDeleteI think I am going to have to invest in clothing with large pockets so I can carry my camera on my person at all times...love this idea.
Angex
"Soy Click, the camera, i can take a pic....." CURSE YOU!!!:) I had that in my head through your whole post!:) LOVE your post. So glad to have found someone else as obsessed with moulding as i am!
ReplyDeleteI get it!! I'm a visual person so this helps me out a ton. Your so funny!!! Thanks for always making me laugh with you. :D
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of taking pictures as you go!!! I do that with my diaper cakes and it helps see things you normally wouldn't see! :-) Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteI love that you posted this. I do this all the time around the house but I never take pics. Great idea! I like the round mirror in place of the art so much better.
ReplyDeleteI read to the end! And I'm thinking there were more than just 4 others that did too. At least you didn't mention "the map!"
ReplyDeleteI have a 2 year old that loves Diego... and I didn't get the "click" reference until the very end... what's wrong with me? :) Or maybe it's right!
ReplyDeleteI ♥ visiting your blog 'cause you're so funny! :) Your redecorating looks great, too. What talent you have. I could use your leftovers. :)
ReplyDeleteyep, the gorgeous picture was overpowering the entry area, definitely. I'm not digging the candlesticks on the mantle though... I would prefer that they were the same height as the urns, so that the platter thing were taller in the middle. So, um... can you fix that?? :)
ReplyDeleteSuch great tips and I especially love the switch of the round mirror and the print. That made a BIG and beautiful difference. What I'm not loving here is that my brain has somehow jumped from click take a pic to "backpack, backpack, backpack, BACKPACK..." which is much, much worse. Mmmmm. Thanks for that. :)
ReplyDeleteWe have similar taste. That painting looks so much better in it's new home. Can't wait to see what color you paint behind it.
ReplyDeleteI think the urns worked on the fp too, but you needed some twiggy things in them to draw the eye up. However, LURVE those candlesticks too. Those balls under the cloche are SO my taste. In fact, I have the same cloche/stand.
I'm on a DOCD mission this weekend & following holiday (Mardi Gras) while my hubs is studying for a big test. I have four days to get this house in order, get the Christmas stuff finally packed away & redecorate. BUT, what throws me for a loop is that we're moving in July. Yes, July. But I kinda feel like... what's the point? Things are bare after the holidays b/c the stuff prior to holiday decor is still in boxes. I'm kind of liking the bare look. But then again, no I'm not....
ReplyDeleteI've so got to try the picture thing.
I literally opened my google reader and saw the "click, take a pic" and groaned because it instantly started playing in my head. I can't get it out now. LOL so thanks for that.
ReplyDeleteLove the changes you made and I think you should link up to Beth's mantel party @ the Stories of A to Z :)
A very new blogger but not a very new rearranger. It is in my blood passed down from generations. I love that I am not alone. Your choices turned out great. And about that treasure trove cabinet...mine is a wonderland much like Mary Poppins bag.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog, feel free to drop by.
Love the changes and even better that they were FREE! This post is so timely because I was doing this exact thing yesterday. We had some recycled glass bottles on our coffee table, but they were in the way of the remote and cable box, so I pulled a bowl of moss balls off the console table and moved the glass bottles there. I then pulled the painting off the wall and leaned it on the table. That led me to pull the candle sconces that were flanking the painting off the wall because they were then too high. I loved the look, my husband hated it, he has no vision:) so back up it all went. But I now realized I'm not feeling the whole Tuscan vibe anymore so that painting's days are numbered. DOCD here too!
ReplyDeletelove the mirror and picture switch. But looking at the after picture, the lamp looks a little out of scale?
ReplyDeleteLove your blog and this post really spoke to me. I haven't tried taking pictures for arrangements, but will def be doing so now! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun switcharoo! Free decorating is the best.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny and I do the same: taking pics everywhere ;-)
ReplyDeleteI found some really weird decorations on old pics ;-))) that was a good laugh...
Oh and I have to say:
I loooove your blog! love the changes, love your ideas and your humor, too!
Regards, from Switzerland
Cat.
Love the changes! Beautiful job, as always. And a good reminder to take pictures--I need to do that more. It would help identify things that do and don't work.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog! Can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteLOL about the diego song!!! haha!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the changes! Very niiice!
The changes are fantastic. Taking a picture to help is also very brilliant. I've been doing that myself lately. Sometimes the picture was taken for another reason but it makes me realize how bad something really looks!
ReplyDeleteLove how everything looks after your changes, and it was fun to see the process you went through to get there!
ReplyDeleteI like the change of switching out the mirror and painting - - it made the cute green lamp shade stick out more. In front of the painting, it was hard to notice and kind of competed. It was the first thing I noticed when you replaced the mirror.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to come to my house and do some rearranging!
I love Go, Diego, Go! Love your blog too! You are one funny chick! BTW, did you know that Click the camera is Rosie Perez? Noticed it in the credits while watching it with my toddler! I had to mention that I watch it with my toddler so that no one would be thinking I watch that show because I like it! ;)
ReplyDeleteYou had me after "click, take a pic"(well, not really - but it only took one example!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for helping me know I'm not crazy! My name is Kate and I have DOCD!
ReplyDeletei love that switch!!!! both spots look better now...good job!
ReplyDeleteWith you to the very end. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is simple, but such good advice, Sarah. How many times have I wished that I just had someone to look at what I was working on? With a photo, I can have someone to look at it--me! Me, relaxed, sitting at the computer, instead of me with my tongue stuck out, stuck in front of the space.
I like your changes--especially putting the round mirror above the small table. Well done!
Just popping in to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteSuzann (The Olive Cottage)
Loved how your fireplace came out,
ReplyDeletebut I loved it with the crocks as well. but it looks great either way.
Loved the changed tables, looks so much better, and gives you a change to boot!! Nothing like changes that cost no change!! lol
Good Work!!
and
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TOO!!
I love all the photos- your house is gorgeous and your ideas are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI saw one of the dome lids at the op shop the other day, adn those woven balls at a $2 shop.....now to find something to rest the lid on, and to go and buy it, think it would look great ont he front table.
Just stumbled across your snappy blog and LOVE it! (You hear birds~I hear angels singing :>)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely we are two kindred chicks! I immediately noticed your love for Southern Living at Home items as well as my favorite~Ballard Designs!
Love your home and how it is evolving~I will now be one of your faithful followers.
Okay, as if I didn't think you were evil enough to make me want to rearrange my house every time I read your blog, you have to throw a Diego song up there. :) Now each time my toddler watches Diego I'll think of you. Love the changes - love how the mirror looks behind the lamp and candles. Have a great Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteO. K. I made it to the end and sice we don't have cable I clicked on the link, thanks. Anyhoo I was just saying to my husband yesterday that since I suffer from DOCD that I need to start taking pictures of what it is that I am doing. Oh and I love your swtch a roo with the Ballard print. Totaly love your blog and everything you write. I wish I could have gone to Blissdom. :(
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and love the switch you made of the mirror and picture. Perfection!
ReplyDeleteMan, you are a great writer!! (...pause to listen to the birds singing....crickets....) Could not stop reading. So glad I found your blog!
ReplyDeleteWell I thought the change with the mirror and the picture was just great! Sooooo much better. I was not liking the picture with the color of the smaller table and it just pops so much better with the darker one! I had no idea what this this Click, Take a Pic was all about (as my youngest is 16) so I clicked on your little "here" and thanks so much for that now being in my head! lol
ReplyDeleteI can so identify with the snowball effect of decorating. Friday we moved the dining table into the dining room FINALLY, and then I moved the pictures today (I only took Saturday off for Shabat, lol). This evening as I walked through my new to me dining room, I looked at the kitchen breakfast area and thought "Oh, I know what this area needs..." and I started planning out my next area of attack. I will buy a few things (I'm thinking a dark khaki or putty colored curtain and a couple of wicker chairs to go with a table I already own)...Oh it's going on over here in Georgia honey, just like it is there!
ReplyDeleteI liked your changes, although I also liked the urns on your mantle. Not that you asked. ;-)My husband thinks I am crazy for taking pictures as I decorate.I am glad I can tell him there are other crazys out there! I recently spent a better part of 3 hours messing with my mantle. I wanted something that was different than I had had before. After much trial and error I finally found something that I love.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and this post was great! I am in the midst of redecorating my dining room and this was really helpful.
ReplyDeleteI TOTALLY SCORED at Goodwill the other day - so much awesome stuff, I spent almost $40!! Wish I had a way to send you photos of all the goods!
To the person asking about the candlesticks - I saw some similar just yesterday at HomeGoods. Cheap too!
Love all the changes. The mantel looks great!
ReplyDeleteOkay, call me weird, but I noticed that in the last two pics where you moved the longer table to under the fab pic, that you also moved the two wall sconces with it. In the final pic, I noticed that there are no holes in the wall where they came from. How in the world did you do that?!!! Please let me in on your secret. I hesitate to move too much in my home for just that reason - nasty holes in the walls!
Love your blog. You are such an inspiration!
I really like how that picture and mirror switch balances out the tables beneath them. Thank you for showing and the recommended picture is a great idea puts the area in perspective.
ReplyDeleteI love the switch of the mirror & wall print! Beautiful. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought I was the only one with the compulsive need to change things around in my house. I have been known to do this in other peoples home...of course when they are not looking. Love your blog and you crack me up.
ReplyDeleteSherry
I have noticed that when I take pictures of my spaces to blog about it I go "ICK! I need more accessories" or whatever. Kinda like when you see a pic of yourself and see that I really need to lose a few pounds! Pictures don't lie :) Thanks for the cute post!
ReplyDeleteYou are AMAZING! I wish I had an ounce of your creativity.
ReplyDeleteExcellent changes - I especially liked the picture/mirror swap. Well done. I think I'll start using my camera to help me more.
ReplyDeleteYou are evil lol that IS now stuck in my head hehehe :)
ReplyDeleteI love that your pictures inspire me to move things around my own homw. And the final outcome looks great!!
ReplyDeletei love your ideas! as much as i wouild love to copy them i have to remember i have a 2 yr old boy who would use many of your decorations as weapons, i am sure! i hope to remember some of your ideas for when he is older. btw, caught on to diego right away! janelle @ osewprecious.blogspot
ReplyDeleteOkay glad to know there is another DOCD out there. I have been photographing my decorating changes for years. Guess i can break out the old files and share them with you!! thank you for all you share you continue to inspire me!!
ReplyDeletejenny beth@ lifeonlyford.blogspot.com
I live about 35 mins. from that Ballard Outlet (just moved here from Florida) and I didn't find a thing there. I was so sad. I love Ballard. I think I might be going on Friday if the weather gets better. Love the print.
ReplyDeleteWow, the stairs. I wanted to refinish ours and our wood flooring people said we should not stain the pine, that it would look cheap and bad. So they went and put on new oak treads and veneer over the rises. That was expensive....
ReplyDeleteOh my. You are an absolutely delightful read. Oh, and all the DOCD is delightful too. And catchy. My house is all topsy turvy thanks to you. Ok, it's the kids fault, but all the knick knacks out of wack in your fault. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHoly Dora, I heart you! This is my first visit to your blog and I had several "Ooohs aaaahs, and hahahahas".
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I don't have the time to scroll through all the fabulous blogs out there but I always make it a point to read yours because you are just so darn cute and funny; on top of the fact that you are so talented. Plus I love anyone who shares the love for Goodwill and spray paint.
ReplyDeleteI love before and after pics, and you have a great sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog when I googled "just moved to Phoenix + how should I decorate?" I just moved from a lodgey mountain home in Colorado. Anyway, what a fun blog!! And on this particular post, when you swapped the pictures, I noticed that the green/white lampshade stood out! Stunning! I'll be back....Blessings!
ReplyDelete