Embracing Parameters

Every so often I can get my husband to watch HGTV with me. It has to be a show that is fast paced, competitive, high stakes, has lots of demolition, and only lasts for 4 weeks. Typically I have to put in some time watching one of his wilderness faves like Mountain Men in exchange.

I often criticize all the fast paced competition shows that are on these days but I have to say I am enjoying the one we are currently into, called Flipping the Block. Four teams (one of which hails from the fabulous ATex) have to live in a condo while renovating it. It's a bit nostalgic really-Ben and I did something similar with our first place, except we had electricity, running water and finished walls. But we did most of the work ourselves while living in it, with one toilet I might add. For more photos of our condo, click here.

Each team is a couple or sibling pair, so you can imagine the craziness of the show, but also the fun. Whoever adds the most value and is able to sell the condo for the most money at the end of the game wins the 50,000 prize, possible fame and glory, and a big bear hug from David Bromstad. 

Each episode begins with the challenge to renovate one of the rooms. Then the teams are given the parameters: A set budget, not much time, one contractor to share named Joe who charges LA prices by the hour. Oh, and free floors from Lumber Liquidators, and a Joss and Main truck parked outside full of home furnishings. The parameters cause a lot of frustration to some, while the successful ones embrace the parameters, plan accordingly and don't over complicate things.

The truth in decorating for most of us watching at home is that we want nice homes but we all have major parameters. For many of us they feel like limitations. And I don't know about you, but the only truck full of furnishings I've ever seen parked in my driveway was a POD. 

Most of us have financial parameters. Some of us have spouses that have financial parameters. Some of us have spouses who have parameters around doing manual labor.... some of us.

Any house will have space parameters. If you have an old house you will have quirky weird electrical parameters. Apartments and condos will have storage parameters. If you have children you will not be able to place floor lamps in your living room for at least 6 years. 

I think most of us get frustrated by our parameters, and so we haphazardly accumulate things or we just give up and don't do anything.

I want to suggest that when we embrace our parameters, we can make better decisions about what we do and don't do to our homes and better prioritize our projects and purchases.

Here is an example of how this works in when it comes to selecting couches for your living room.

The location of solid walls and outlets will typically determine where your TV should go. You don't want your TV blocking a window. (Space) Once you know where it's going, you know where your couches will go. (Function) If you measure, (Size) you will know exactly the size couches you can fit. Once you agree on an amount you are willing to spend on the couches (financial), you will go to the store that is appropriate for your budget. You and your partner will have to agree on the look of the couch (style). You will then be able to narrow down a few options based on your parameters of size, space, style, and budget.

If you ignored these parameters and just went to the store, or online, you would likely end up with something too big, too small, too expensive, too cheap, because the options would be numerous and you would probably be pressured to get something not quite what you had in mind because-your-husband-is-in-a-hurry-to-get-home-to-watch-football-so-just-pick- something-already. You end up with a bunch of stuff that doesn't go, fit or that you just don't really like all that much.


So, consider your parameters as you think about your home. Consider your space. Do you measure before you buy things? Do you know what your budget is before you get to the store? Do you prioritize purchases or do it randomly? Do you rush into decisions about renovating or decorating? 

I was thinking back to my own home and realized that the rooms I loved the most in the end were the ones I planned for.

So don't make another decorating move till you consider the parameters. The grand prize?

A smarter, happier and better looking home.