Recently I learned an important lesson that I believe every DIYer should understand and embrace. That is the lesson of finishing your projects. Not a new concept, I realize, but perhaps one that could use a little elaborating on to really drive it in.
First, a story of my unfinished project:
A few months ago I found some amazing inspiration for our dining room table at Bless’er House. I dove right in (as I usually do), and created an awesome faux plank look using paint and a wood grain tool. When I looked closely at the table top, I loved the way it looked, but as soon as I stepped back, it just looked…weird.
I hadn’t painted the legs. I had planned on it and meant to do it, but I figured the table was at a good enough stopping point to leave it be for a while. I started some other big projects and left it and the chairs the way they were: orange-y brown. Big mistake.
See, I figured the top was the biggest part, so I won’t notice the legs as much. Well, I did. Every day I walked into the room, I regretted every thing about the table. It just wasn’t working for me. It didn’t look good, but I didn’t realize at the time that it was because it was unfinished.
I was actually close to getting rid of the table altogether. I’m glad I didn’t. Fast forward to just recently and I found the time to paint the legs and chairs.
What a huge difference! This project really taught me the importance of finishing projects.
This changed the entire feel of the room! Suddenly everything matched and worked together. The room became light and bright; a place I actually wanted to be in. Plus, it made me love the faux white wash planks! I wasn’t crazy about them before, but by finishing the set, the color and look of the “planks” was really brought out to shine.
Now for a list of reasons why it is super-de-duper important for us to finish our projects:
- The satisfaction of stepping back and seeing your vision, not trying to imagine the potential
- The chance to clean up the mess sitting out because you keep meaning to get to it
- Avoiding the regret of ever starting the project
- The chance to move on with your life
- You won’t trash a possibly valuable piece of decor because you can’t look past the unfinished state
Anyway, I hope this is a helpful reminder to you and that you are able to fill your home with beautiful finished projects.
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