Hello there, and happy Monday! Today, I am kicking off a new column which I’m calling “the last 5.”
This weekend, my husband and I took on a few decorating projects. Those of you who know us will see that this sentence is really code. Our “decorating projects” look suspiciously like me waving my hands around in agitation and talking in increasingly shrill, repetitive tones about shopping for pillows while my husband tries to avoid making eye contact with me.
In one of our more animated discussions about the living room, my husband declared everything 95% complete (as in, can’t we just round up that last 5% and call it finished already?) This really got me thinking about how much the last 5 matters – at least, to me.
Around here, the last 5 includes:
- Finding some new accessories. Cleaning out the bookshelves to make room for a few pieces to display. Replacing that candle we both hate with something a little nicer.
- Bringing in some accent colors. Sewing pillows. The white couch has been waiting so patiently for a hit of color.
- Wrapping up unfinished projects like hemming drapes (ahem, see above), hiding cords, and hanging pictures.
- Treating ourselves to some fresh flowers now and then.
Staring at the unfinished stuff can be so draining. So each week, I’m going to photograph a little finishing touch here, an extra dose of personality there. Hopefully, this will keep me honest and help me tackle some of those items that keep getting skipped.
And my husband? Well, he came around. We kicked off the living room refresh with a trip to Z Gallerie where he gifted me with these beautiful white ceramic birds on a branch (plus a few other treats for our bookshelf). I’d say that we are on our way.
Have you been waiting to finish the last 5 percent in your place? What’s on your list?
3 Responses
Care to comment? Go for it. Be bold. Do it! But niceness counts, right?
Working on my final 10% so long that the thought of getting to the final 5% sounds refreshing! Looking forward to discovering what the motivators to finish the final 5% really are.
Hi Felicia, I just looked around here and 10% might be a better description! I’m trying to talk myself into showing the before and not just the after. ;-)
Just got here via BYW. I think mine is more like the last 30-40%, having moved this summer, but I would like to focus on the last 5% for a couple of projects and actually get a sense of being done. With something. I’m impressed with this column idea – I’m always trying to brainstorm, because I like the idea, but I can’t seem to commit to anything on a regular basis. It’s something I want to work on…