topic Re: Letting Go in Home

Letting Go

Regal Bee — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 22:35:35 GMT

My husband is renovating our sun porch (big job) and I have decided to take on the guest room.

I have two Lane limited edition small chests in this room, on either side of the bed that are used for nightstands, that I have had for many years and have decided to let them go. This decision has taken some time. The chests are like old friends and I tend to keep my furniture for long periods. I always buy the best pieces I can afford at any given time and take great care of them.....so, they don't wear out!

It is hard to admit......I am just plain tired of them and I want a lighter and more airy look.

Do you find it hard to let go of your furniture?

Edited to add: a picture of one of them.

Re: Letting Go

Kachina624 — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:23:08 GMT

Have you considered either painting or refinishimng them?

Re: Letting Go

GAQShopr53 — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:26:58 GMT

I truly understand @Regal Bee...I am in the middle of downsizing and there are some items I am able to let go...some are over 20 years old..while others I find myself tucking away in a corner and saying "I will get back to them" or "rationalizing why I should not give it away" My biggest excuse is I paid a lot for the item and I don't want to give to someone who will not take care of it. I refuse to give to Goodwill because I want the items to go to people who really need them. I am making progress because I gave away a lot of clothing items and recently gave away my son's bedroom set.

Re: Letting Go

blackhole99 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:24:12 GMT

The only furniture I get rid of with any regularity is my mattresses. I have the same furniture I bought as a young married person, when my husband and I collected antiques. I have had my love seats and chairs reupholstered, but that's it. My original furniture is over 40 years old.

Re: Letting Go

ValuSkr — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 22:30:48 GMT

I know what you mean. I would put them in the attic and see what happens - maybe someone I know could use them, or I'll have a new use years from now, or they'll become valuable. Sometimes just putting something away for a while makes you appreciate it more later.

Re: Letting Go

AuntG — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 23:51:24 GMT

Yes, it would be difficult if it is great shape and I paid a lot for it. Giving away our old bedroom set was easy because it was big and heavy. In addition, I knew the family on the receiving end and they really could use the storage. I don't think I would be willing to part with your guest room night tables.

Re: Letting Go

panda1234 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 01:10:03 GMT

I do get tired of things but only after several years. Sometimes your taste changes and when you do make the change it gives you a lift. I just gave away lots of fall decor that I had for 10+ years. Still was in good shape, still liked the pieces but wanted a fresher look.

Re: Letting Go

151949 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 02:56:07 GMT

It is extremely difficult to get my DH to let go of anything. Esp. something as expensive as furniture.This is some of the reason I have more furniture than I need.

Re: Letting Go

odie96 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 02:56:12 GMT

Regal Bee I would NOT get rid of them now!! I've done that and the next minute I regretted it. Place them in another room for a day or two and see how you feel about them. What kind of wood are they? If they are solid wood, I would antique them. I did that with a chest I had when I was a baby. Years later I decided to strip them and place them in the guest room. They looked so pretty and I've had so many compliments on them. I was so thankful that I had kept them!!!!

Re: Letting Go

beach-mom — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 03:09:09 GMT

I would keep them, but if you really truly want a different look, try to find someone who will really appreciate them. I grew up hearing my mom say> "They don't make things like they used to." Now I know what she means. After seeing the newer furniture today, I believe the quality is just not there in most cases.

I know someone who inherited her grandmother's dining room set - beautiful cherry. She painted it blue and eventually sold it. I couldn't believe it!

Re: Letting Go

Twins Mom — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 03:28:10 GMT

Definitely. And that’s why I struggle with putting home in order. I took some of the pieces from mom’s house and now really crowded but I refuse to let those who find no value in many of these pieces have them. I too but best I can afford and do not change furniture over years except for upholstery.

Re: Letting Go

homedecor1 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 04:15:16 GMT

@Regal Bee

Definitely hard! Even when I'm purging my other things (home decor).

Maybe, with your keen eye for decorating you can re-purpose the pieces.

Re: Letting Go

nmurray — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:28:34 GMT

I am in the process of downsizing, getting ready to sell the house. At this point in my life there are a lot of things I am ready to get rid of. My wedding china, several large pieces of furniture, including a leather sofa, chair and ottoman that were very expensive, a huge oak dresser and some furniture left behind from my parents when they moved back east. I am ready for a change and a smaller place will mean different furniture and a fresh start. I have also let go of hundreds of cookbooks for the same reason, tastes change and I just do not want as much stuff. That said, I still have over 1000 cookbooks(!) and there are pieces I will not let go - like a wall of bookshelves(for said cookbooks) built by my dad, an oak icebox from my grandfather and my farmhouse kitchen table and chairs from RH plus a couple of antique mirrors. Pretty much everything else can go. The money has already been spent, or stuff was given to me and I am keeping only what I am sentimental about or really love. Plus, having to pay to move everything gives me additional motivation.

The challenge for me is all the little stuff tucked away in closets and cabinets. And, I have been regularly purging - not to mention the garage and shed. It can be overwhelming.

The biggest challenge is all the decision making to keep ot let go; once stuff is gone, I can move usually on and forget about it.

Re: Letting Go

SilleeMee — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 10:54:46 GMT

Letting go of things in general isn't difficult for me and I actually look for reasons to get some stuff out of my house. I'm very much a minimalist so letting go is something I'm used to...plus I get bored too easily then things just have to move on.

Re: Letting Go

faeriemoon — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 12:48:44 GMT

Can you use them for a different purpose in another room? As a side table in a living area? In a bathroom for storage? In the kitchen for linens? (Etc.)

Re: Letting Go

Snicks1 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:33:35 GMT

@Regal Bee, could they be used in the renovated sun porch possibly?

Re: Letting Go

dancingwoman — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:57:09 GMT

@Regal Bee Why not attach a couple pics of the chests for a few ideas on what to do with them.

I'm thinking the same as @Kachina624 . Why not paint them or have them painted. There are so many great paints available now.

Ive painted a lot of furniture, my DH always says, if he stands still long enough I'd probably paint him too...

just a thought...DW

Re: Letting Go

Laura14 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 15:59:26 GMT

I actually cried when the trash truck came a few weeks ago to take my long discarded ripped and stained microfiber couch and tossed it in the back and crushed it up.

I mean cried. Like a baby, inconsolable for a few minutes, ugly, ugly cry. It was a blessing I was alone.

Big YES from me!

Re: Letting Go

151949 — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 16:50:54 GMT

@nmurray I'm like you - once something is gone it's out of my mind. My DH on the other hand will mourn things for years if I give away or throw away anything.

Re: Letting Go

LolaMontez — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 17:18:28 GMT

I have nice, expensive furniture, but I wish I could get rid of all of it and start over. My tastes have changed. I have moved from Maryland to Central Florida and my furniture just doesn't seem right for the house and hot weather. Much too heavy looking. I have an antique iron and brass bed that I have had for at least 40 years. I still might shed a tear getting rid of that. Memories. . . haha. The worst part of getting rid of furniture is having to sell it for nothing or get it moved out to the curb or pay someone to haul it away if it's worn out - sofa's, upholstered chairs, etc. I am also a dishaholic and have china and other assorted dishes I will never ever use. I would have a harder time letting those go than my furniture.