Ambivalence about how much to renovate

I’d not thought that the strip of six uncovered lightbulbs above my bathroom vanity is ugly and outdated until I read that it is.

Known as Hollywood lighting, it’s “just ugly and out of fashion,” proclaimed House Digest. “The bulbs stick out like a sore thumb and completely ruin the room’s aesthetic.” 

Then I kept thinking that I should replace the vanity lighting.

Caring about my home’s showiness was so not me when I lived in a vintage three-story building of modest condos valued at under $200,000. Now living in a downtown high-rise, I see how neighbors whose condos are worth two and three times more than mine are remodeling. I try to resist comparing.

There are good reasons not to renovate more than I already have. My condo is comfortable and meets my needs. Nothing requires repair. I don’t want to send functional items to a landfill. Pricey isn’t my style, nor would it fit the existing decor and small space. 

But as much as I tell myself, “Get your mind onto loftier things,” hearing about a neighbor’s remodeling returns my thoughts to what else to do decor-wise.

And so I brooded about that ugly, outdated vanity lighting. I considered altering the fixture with socket extenders and rings to hold glass lampshades and decorative bulbs, but the cost was as much as a new fixture, and I had reservations about the appearance. 

In the course of looking for a fix for the vanity lighting, I stumbled upon a website that said builder-grade bathroom mirrors like mine ought to be framed. Taping a border to the mirror would be an easy do-it-yourself project. I thought back to other DIY projects, like painting furniture and wallpapering. I ended up proud of myself. Maybe I don’t have to dismiss decorating changes as keeping up with the Joneses or consumerist. 

Come to think of it, there have been a lot of changes in 12 years of making this place mine, including major, needed ones like replacing the flooring and the kitchen appliances and adding a closet. Perhaps I think I’m not doing enough because none of my changes elicit wow comments. Most everything has been done modestly, furniture painted or repurposed or slipcovered, the kitchen appliances highly rated but not high-end. 

An abode that looks homey, casual, and lived in, not upscale, was my choice. I wanted it to reflect me. I got what I wanted. I should remember that the next time I have decorating envy. I also should ignore online articles about what’s in and what’s out. I’ll do that as soon as the bathroom lighting is updated.

 ****

Maybe I should have decided against replacing the vanity lighting. I was sent wrong products twice by eBay sellers. First I received a black fixture instead of chrome, then an “18-volt vortex telescoping power scrubber kit.”

“We must have switched the mailing labels. An honest mistake,” texted the second seller. 

In 23 years of buying on eBay, I don’t remember having to return a purchase before. Mixups on two identical orders — ridiculous! Thinking the fixture jinxed, I almost didn’t give the second seller another chance.

Still more improbability: Amazon flubbed my order of decorative tape for the vanity mirror. Instead of the advertised seven yards, I got 10 feet, which was too little. I avoided the hassle of another return by taking on the hassle of cutting the tape in half. 

If the universe was trying to tell me to forget about updates, I’ve gotten the message. No more decorating projects, at least for a while.