I bought some new lamps earlier this week. I’ve been wanting new lamps for our master bedroom nightstands, but after reading Elaine Griffen’s Design Rules and then studying Tori’s and Dean’s room again, I decided that I NEEDED new lamps.
Luckily, I had $100 worth of TJ Maxx gift cards burning a hole in my wallet. I won them during a Twitter contest I entered months ago and had honestly been saving them for a new pair of bedroom lamps. The planets seemed to align, and I decided that this was the week.
I found a gorgeous pair of lamps, I brought them home (with $10 to spare!), and set them up on the nightstands. And then I walked away.
Please, please, please tell me that you are a “tester” like me. Not sure what I mean? Take a closer look.
Yep, the lamps are still sporting their price tags and protective shade plastic. I need to live with them for a few days to make sure that they are the “ones.” Otherwise, they’ll head back to the store. Is it just me that does this, or do you do it you, too?
Nope, I don’t turn them on with the plastic on the shades. Unless I’m reading a book. Or getting ready for bed. Or taking pictures of them for my blog. Okay, I don’t leave the room if they are turned on. Don’t judge.
I think they are a perfect shape, though, and they make me feel like a grown-up for some strange reason. I’m pretty sure they have found a new home. Now maybe, I’ll get going on pulling together the rest of the room.
Can't say I'm a tester… I usually just hold off on buying an item for a few weeks… If I dream about it, then I'll go back nd get it… 🙂
wanted to let you know that I saw some mirror furniture at Pier 1 yesterday and thought of you… 🙂
The lamps are just gorgeous. I love them. Yes, I do think lamps have to be seen in the room to know if they're right or not, so I do test them. Hugs, Marty
I don’t do it but I should. I red-did a GW lamp a few months ago (think it would be cheaper than buying a new one) well if I wasn’t so indecisive it would have been but I’m on lamp shade number 3 and I still don’t love it. I’ve already taken the plastic wrap off! The lampshade looks great with the lamp. I’m just thinking it may be a little too modern for our living room. I keep telling myself that it might look better once I clean the living room up. Oh the things we tell ourselves to justify something.
http://domesticprincessintraining.blogspot.com
I'm not a tester, but I should be. Usually, I'll get something, sit with it and if it doesn't mesh after a few weeks, move it to a different part of the house.
So that's sort of a tester, right?
Kelly
I am whole heartedly a "tester" too! Hubby always laughs at me because 3 months (okay, sometimes YEARS) down the road, we will find price tags still on things. It's the only way you can be sure though, right? 🙂 LOVE your new lamps by the way!
Oh yes, I'm a tester. Doesn't matter what it is either: lamps, comforter, clothes… Right now it's lampshades. I can't find any that look good on my old lamps. Love your lamps btw.
I won't judge you. 😉 I wish I had the presence of mind to be a tester. I get so excited about purchases like that…I rip the packaging off and then I AM sometimes disappointed….
What a great idea. I need to test things for a little bit before I make a final decision. No more cutting price tags right away.
Ruth
I do the same thing. Back when I worked as an assistant to an interior designer, she'd send me out to various stores to gather up all the goodies I could find "on loan" to take around to various clients' homes to try. Then I'd return what no one wanted. That got me in the habit of bringing things home to try them out!
P.S. Congrats on your mention at Apartment Therapy for your wreath tutorial. That's great! 🙂
Oh yes, I test. And my stepmom is notorious for buying all of the choices she might like with the intent of only keeping one.
I definitely test out lamps like you do. They look great!
I do that with everything I put in my house. I bought some bedside lamps a few years ago and the tags stayed on them for like 6 months. Ha. I recently bought some tassels and I did the same thing. By sister calls me Minnie Pearl.
sometimes i'm a tester… usually i take WEEKS to decide on a purchase so i can be sure i want it. but i'm also the queen of buying 3 of one item in different shapes & colors and then returning the ones i don't want. the Homegoods employees probably hate me. : )
your lamps are lovely- very grown up! i know just what you mean- there are areas of our new home that i'm excited about because they seem very adult to me. maybe i'll start acting like one sometime soon…
happy thursday!
rachel
I like them. I think they are a great shape and color. With lamps, I am a tester too.
Ha! I only wish I had the extra cash/gift cards TO test something!!! 😉 Love your choice, they look very sophisticated.
i love these lamps!! in regards to "testing," i'm the complete opposite – i rip off all the tags the moment i get home. :/ i shouldn't do that though because sometimes i end up hating whatever it was i thought i just "couldn't live without" in the store! i'm getting better about "testing" things out though, particularly expensive purchases! my mom's like you, though, except she's probably wayyy worse. she'll keep the tags on things for weeks sometimes and i sneak around her house cutting off tags!
Oh yes…I am a notorious "tester". My theory is "If I like it, I buy it. It's easier to take it back. than go back (later) and buy it". BTW, I LOVE you blog, I'm a faithful reader!
Oh, I completely sit with a new lamp or shade prior to removing the plastic. However, my daughter is there ready to pounce with the scissors, so I can't ponder too long!
Janell
You betcha I'm a tester. You've got to see how things live. Are you a receipt-saver extraordinaire? Maybe we could have a club.
My husband is always laughing at me for leaving the tags on things – sometimes you have to "test" them out first!
Chelsea
I love the finish. Great choice. If you like them, that is. If you don't, then I agree. 🙂
I LOVE Tori and Dean's room. I have been eyeballing it for a while. I agree, the only way to know for sure is to test!!!
Love your lamps. I am totally a tester. In fact, I left the plastic on one of our lamps so long that one of my sons hit the shade with a ball and broke it before it was even unwrapped. I'm pathetic. (And he was in big trouble.) 😉
Yes, but I call it "Auditioning". It is auditioning to be in my home. How else would you know if it works?
I bought a leather chair from TJ Maxx in March. It still has the tag on it 😉 I do it with clothes, too.
Rest easy, those are beautiful lamps. The shape is classic and they would work in many rooms. One day, if you get tired of them, you could paint them with glossy spray paint (white or some other groovy color) change out the shade et voila, a whole new lamp!
I don't think I've ever done this with a decor item…but I do leave tags on new clothing until wear them for the first time. Just in case I change my mind.
Guilty as charged! I am a tester! I panic when I finally do take off the plastic!
~Nancy
I loe them! You really can't go wrong with the 'urn' shaped base and a class cream lampshade. Gorgeous.
Great lamps! I love TJ Maxx. The best! I think they look great in the room, but I am like you, I like to leave the tags on just to make sure for a few days.
I do the same thing! I even keep the tag on throw pillows for a few days "just to make sure" they are right for the room. My husband laughs at me, but hey – I want to be really sure that I like something before I take the tags off!
Very pretty "grownup lamps"! And yes, I am forever trying things out. TJM is wonderful for taking things back even without your receipt. They may "sorry I'll have to give you store credit". That's never a problem. I like have TJM credit! 🙂
I love your curtains. Where did those come from?
I think they are perfect, and they look fabulous with your pretty drapes!
Hugs,
Sheila
I have that same lamp. I love it 🙂
I should be a tester, but sadly I'm a tag ripper offer and then I decide I don't want it and I stuff it in my garage sale pile. I'll never learn! 🙁
Happy Monday!
Rachelle
I totally have Minnie Pearl Syndrome as well. In fact sometimes I leave the tag on when it is not noticable – I get a charge over remembering my bargain! Of course, when friends discover this they mock me.
The Feathered Nest sent me to you. I love your blog. I am now a follower. Thanks for sharing the wreath made from the book. I will being trying to make one of them. Have a wonderful day.