little steps

Without risk, there is no reward.

A very wise person has had me thinking about risk lately. Risk in decorating, at the very least, if you can't or won't take larger risks in our lives.  The Nester declared today "National Take a Risk in Your Home Day" and challenged us this week to take a decorating risk in our homes. It could be something drastic, or as simple as investing in some bright new pillows.

I'm not usually a risk-taker. I like to play it safe and rarely take so much as a step over the line, so this was a little difficult for me. I've spent most of the past week thinking about a risk that I could take that didn't have too-drastic consequences.

Finally tonight, I had a lightbulb moment. I remembered a carved wooden wall hanging I'd received as a wedding present from Pottery Ban. It was sitting in my garage waiting to be sold at our upcoming yard sale because I'd lost the hardware to hang it with. I still loved the piece, and my "ah-ha!" moment saved it from the sale.

I've been looking for things to put on top of my cabinets (they've been bare since we moved in) and I realized this piece would be perfect. I tried it in a few places - it was a little tall and I'll have to adjust a bit more later, but it fits beautifully above my stove.

Then I found a vintage-style Parisian clock I'd forgotten about. It's been broken since I bought it on clearance at Marshall's a few years ago, but I still love it. I propped that up next to the scrolly piece.

And then just for fun, I threw in a wicker pumpkin I had laying around. It's technically an autumn piece I suppose, but isn't that what risk is about?

I never would have thought to put these items up there if I hadn't been challenged. I'm so glad I was, though - I love it and I can't wait to see what other items I can find for the space!

I know it's not much of a risk for some people. But for me, the risk was in learning to step out of the proverbial box and try different things. I'm learning to shop my house for things I already have. I'm learning to use things in ways other than they were intended and allow myself to be creative in my own way without confining myself to the things seen in magazines and catalogs.

What risks have you taken lately?