Around here there are mud splatters in the butler’s pantry.
And petrified french fries in the pocket of the back seat of the car.
And I love it.
Most days.
Most days I love the perfect imperfection of muddy footprints and stinky socks and cartwheels down the hall and petrified french fries.
Every. Single. One.
Most days I remind myself that floors you can see yourself in are over-rated.
Most days I remind myself that backpacks on the floor can be considered accessories.
Most days.
And then there are the days when you see magazines or television programs with rooms or projects or renovations done with such effortless perfection…..
….that you want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head and cry uncle.
Perfection can be so overwhelming.
Truly.
Perfection with all of its unattainable glory.
And sitting in the kitchen with a sink full of dishes and random pieces of Captain Crunch on the floor and stacks of laundry on the couch…..it is so easy for self-doubt to creep in.
It seems like every where you look……the world is full of perfect people doing perfect things…..
…..perfectly.
It makes you feel like you’re back in high school when everyone had perfectly styled wings in their hair….held in place with Aqua Net Hairspray. And they were all really tall with long legs and looked exactly like Christy Brinkley and you were short and smiley and your hair was curly and you looked more like Nellie Olsen from Little House On the Prairie.
Imperfect.
And you look at all your imperfections and droop your shoulders and sigh.
And dive for the covers.
Straight up…..there is a definite lack of perfection around here.
But is perfection all it’s cracked up to be?
Is it really what we should all aspire to?
Should perfection really be our ideal?
Perfection seems to me like those beautiful new bedroom sets they advertise at the Labor Day Sale where five pieces come perfectly coordinated. A room in a box for one low, low price.
Perfect.
And matching.
And a little boring.
Imperfection is a lot like this house number plaque I made from vintage door plates.
I took old door plates and hot glued $1.67 numbers on them from the home improvement store.
Then I nailed the numbered door plates onto an old board that I painted black.
When I started the project….I was going to paint the door plates…..
….but why?
There was no need.
They were already perfectly imperfect.
Trash to treasure.
Beautiful character in every line….in every chip…..in every flaw.
Absolute imperfect perfection….curly hair and all….
…..just like me. 🙂
PS You know I wrote this post about me…..right?
Because I truly think you (yes….I’m talking to you) are one of the lucky ones who just happens to already be perfect. 🙂
PPS This is the back door. For the front door and all the rest of the fall decorations….you can click here.
Love the project. Love your outlook even more. So.... are you planning to go to Haven 2014? I'm toying with the idea of going, even going so far as finding a buddy to go with!
I love the house numbers and the door "wreath" KariAnne... I have about 6 house #'s outside already... my husband laughs that there is no chance of someone not finding our house :) Susan
I truly do not think this could be COOLER!!!! I really don't!!!!!! So here I sit in total amazement once again...you know if you were a baseball player you would be batting 1000!!!!!! Sending hugs!!!!!
Reminds me of a book that I use to read at Christmas to my boys, Moostache? The father moose would say, "perfectly perfect". Perfectly perfect house numbers.
Ahhh...Aqua Net.! I do remember those days...only $.88 a can! My mother has three girls and three girls with teased up hair so high upon our heads with crunchy curls everywhere, we were only allowed to use Aqua Net! Remember the year the locusts came out? A bad, bad summer for us with mile high hair that they would get stuck in!!! Yikes!
This thing we call the blogosphere gives us the impression that there is "perfection" to be attained. Looking at your blog with your lovely pictures gives one the impression that all is perfect there, too. But what I have learned from blogging myself is that we show the best parts...the stylized parts. Behind those perfect pictures from smoke and mirrors, though, lies reality....where nothing is ever perfect. In fact, the beauty lies in the imperfection!! We are all the same, really....even the "perfect" ones (we have all had petrified french fries hiding in one corner or another!) Now, those letters....great idea. Love them!! I love checking in on your blog for design inspiration...with a touch of genuine life...the perfectly imperfect thing we all enjoy. Have a wonderful day and an even better weekend!!! Oh, and thanks for stopping by the farm and leaving a comment....much appreciated.
Do you actually know people who live in perfect houses??? They must have very boring lives. You, my sweet friend could never be boring and all those imperfections you mentioned just make you perfectly perfect. I love your house numbers and will be right over to steal them. :) xo Laura
such a fun use of those old door plates!! and I've never been a fan of perfection, it truly is boring. :)
The only house I was ever in that was "perfect" looked like it came from one of those furniture advertisements. The personal touches were minimal. I had to pick up a magazine! Still, I struggle with perfection paralysis. You know, if it's not going to be perfect, why even try. You've got it right, so, after your short bouts of perfection envy, take a deep breath and thank God you're not afflicted with perfectionism. Google it. It's pitiable. Lovely work, by the way. :)
The house numbers are indeed...perfectly imperfect. I have curls too...lots...it's been my goal in life to straighten them out. You grew up with Christy Brinkley...me, it was Twiggy, and I wasn't exactly thin either. You do realize this comment hasn't been about the house numbers, don't you? Have a wonderful weekend! ;)
perfect! aha. learned a long time ago that perfection does not make good on its promises...but our perfect Father in heaven does. :-)
No perfection here! Oi! Great vintage numbers, Kari!!! xo, Shannon
I love your house number sign. I think it looks Perfect!
My daughter will love it when I tell her that the three backpacks on her kitchen floor after school are considered accessories, and she will smile;)
oh Nellie... i just adore you and your curly blond hair!
Your photos always look so perfect! My husband and I built our own house just how we wanted it and I wouldn't trade the family that leaves the dirty socks and petrified French fries for perfect, EVER! I was lamenting how beautiful and clean your home is, and my husband said, "It only needs to be clean when you take the picture." Congratulations on not being perfect either! You're in good company!
Ok, I was just looking around my house yesterday thinking that it was really looking shabby. But today, right now, I realize that those imperfections are treasures, marks of love and laughter and a thousand barking dogs, and it's not shabby, its beautiful. Thank you, Karianne, for the reminder. And for vintage house numbers. And for an hour on the phone that was so enjoyable.
EEK! I have a bunch of old doorknob plates - so doing this! Thanks for the inspiration! xoxoxox Happy Friday :)
I agree, perfection is highly overrated! Your house numbers are the perfect addition to your front door with all is Fall decor! Looks fabulous! Have a fantastic weekend!
Everyday I indulge in reading around 40 blogs. Of all the blogs I have been privey to YOUR"S is without a doubt the very best. Your are very creative and genuine. Keep up the good work to give us all hope that we can find our way in design and creativity. Greetings from the mountains of North Carolina.
Backpacks as accessories, perfect! This was the perfect story about how imperfectly our lives and homes can sometimes be.....but let me tell you, in the photos your home looks perfect! Love your house numbers! They really look great with the style of home you have!
You have a knack of making old thing looks so new and interesting... and wonderfully imperfect! I love love love your front door! Your mind is a wonderland of the most fabulous ideas!!!!
In case you haven't noticed,,,,your imperfection is PERFECTION!! Love , Love , Love your ideas and don't know how you get it all done!! and make it look so effortless. Great idea to use the old door plates as your number background! Love it!
OK, time for some honesty here - I would have LOVED to have been as put-together as Nellie Olsen! Just sayin . . . . ;) ALSO, I have been pondering how to do really cool house numbers, and EUREKA! You've given me an IDEA!!!!! We have a new little antique shop down the road that you have to be willing to get into conversation to visit, and it would be SO WORTH IT to spend the extra time if my good friend has some door knob plates . . . Hmmmmm . . . . .
LOVE this post! Especially as I sit here in my UK sweatshirt typing on my desk that's next to my unmade bed - with my hair in a bun and no make-up on - thank the good Lord it's finally Friday! Cheers to imperfection!
We ALL need to admit to imperfection. In that is true connection to each other.
karianne... in the blog world all is perfectionwith you and i think why, why, why does she have to have it all... and then i tell myself so that 1) i may enjoy and 2) that i can try a little harder to emulate and 3) so that i may share a small slice of your perfectly imperfect life... because afterall, that's how all of our lives are! xox j
Beautifully put. Thank you for the inspiration!
I love your perfectly imperfect outlook. I also love your ideas and inspiration! When you posted the grandfather clock idea I sent a plea out on Facebook to my friends in big cities to PLEASE go to IKEA and buy me the materials to make the clock. Well, I got a bite from my childhood friend and a few weeks ago I completed my clock. I could never afford a real grandfather clock so I shall call this one my Grandmother clock-I am a grandma and the house I live in is the house my grandson used to live in. It's perfect! And even a little imperfect because there are a few squiggles outside the lines where I painted it. But I look at it and think of you and your wonderful ideas. I look forward to every post on your blog and wonder what you will dream up next to inspire me to create something new and different. Love it! Love you! Have a fabulous weekend sweet friend.
Ahhh...perfection...the unattainable dream. Have a great weekend!
Okay Karianne, I have officially decided that you need to put out a book, yep right this minute you need to sit down and write a book on making cute awesome stuff for our homes. You are a treasure trove of wonderfully creative ideas and you just need to do this. Thanks again for sharing.
I have read all the comments and agree with every single one! Especially, ESPECIALLY, the one who said they have read or does read over 40 was it? blogs and yours is the most genuine. Now that's a word not used enough!!! Once again you have made me laugh - as you speak for every single one of us who has days like you described, where you look around and think nothing is right (aka "Perfect") and the house on the TV show IS PERFECT so we want to slip under the bed covers and hope the day just goes by - fast. What was that song where the lyrics went, "hang on for just one more day...things will come your way!" I think of that song a lot of days when Perfect doesn't show up. Maybe perfect couldn't find me. My numbers over my house are vintage - and not from the good, perfect, (HA!) vintage years! Do you realize we are living in our grandchildren's vintage years? Okay, off the subject. It's true what someone else said here - do you realize the comments are not all about the numbers? I'm just so glad YOU are here, KariAnne. And I LOVE that you have dressed up your back door. ;0)
Wow - is that an antique chair back making a totally fabulous "wreath" on your front door? I LOVE IT! And that gray ribbon is AWESOME! I need some...and an antique chair back...NOW. :) -Revi
Nellie Olsen was a little stinker. You, on the other hand, are more Laura Ingalls. I bet Laura even wore red lipstick when she grew up.
I love this it is awesome. I am going to the flea market tomorrow and I may have to look for some old knob plates and do this on my front porch. Just so chippy and sweet. Love this. Kris
Great look... love your front door
Love your house numbers! Makes the door look so inviting. I grew up in the perfect house. It is overrated. My children grew up in a unique, quirky, roller blading around the kitchen island raising small clouds of dog hair in their wake house. Their childhoods were far more fun and adventurous! Keep the backpacks as accessories. Your future adult children will thank you for it!
You my Friend are the BEST !! Always a fun read. Bless you and yours.
Amazing as always, Karianne!! I LOVE those chippy door plates. What a great idea!! Hugs, Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Love the project, love the back door decor, but more than anything, I LOVE your heart and the message you share here :)
I love your numbers and want to copy that idea. LOL, This reminds me of the time one of my perfect friends came to my house. Her house was ALWAYS in order. But I always had kids everywhere, and pets too. My perfect friend came into my beautifully styled dining room and asked, "Is the rabbit supposed to be in the dining room? Someone had let the rabbit in from the porch and he was running all over chasing the kids and bubbles were running over the kitchen sink. I still laugh when I think of that. I miss my bunny to. :P
This is very helpful. We have an old house and I don't like our house numbers on it, plus we want to add something to our mailbox to vintage it up. I'm a huge fan of vintage, wrote a vintage novel girlinthejitterbugdress.com, and you have given me GREAT ideas. I like the numbers you glued on the doorknob plates, too. I will look for them, they look vintage as well, hopefully they have some at my local hardware store!
Love your post! I've tried to be perfect to please all my in-laws but it just can't be done :-) I am who I am - totally imperfect :-D And so I don't fit in with them, but I do fit in with my own crowd of fabulous bloggers and homeschooling mums which I love! Thanks for your post!
I gave up on perfection when we got our first dog. It was right after he gnawed on armoire, unraveled the dining room rug, and ate the kitchen floor ... :)
Back from France and trying to catch up on all of your happenings......you are as close to perfection as it gets.....love those close to perfection house numbers!
Perfection is totally over rated! I love backpacks on the floor, over flowing laundry baskets, and those vintage house numbers! Perfect imperfection! Life to the full! Melissa
I love your whole porch KeriAnne!! Thanks for linking up ! I featured your post in my wrap up https://tidymom.net/2013/15-pumpkin-projects/ Have a great rest of the weekend!
Ha! I actually looked like Laura Ingalls--before Melissa Gilbert had braces and a nose job. Yup, me in all my buck-toothed glory. Without long legs and way cool jeans cuz I was "hippy" and had to wear a Sear's brand called "Jeans That Fit" aka JTF. I have since had braces and have learned to dress for the way my body is shaped instead of the way I WISH it was shaped and somehow my hubby thinks I'm cute and really, it's all ok! Or perfectly imperfect!
These numbers are sooo cute...so imperfectly perfect that I am going back to bed and pull the covers up over my head.......see ya tomorrow.:)
Once more, you totally rocked trash to treasure! All hail the queen! Love this!