When You Can't Have What You Want, Gift Yourself a Fabulous Compromise.

When we were getting ready to build our house, I had a Pinterest board filled with all the things I wanted in my dream house. Some were very unrealistic but that's what a dream board is for, after all. One picture I had in there was from a model home I had seen where the entire living are, kitchen and entryway were tiled in

this 2 square foot, shiny off-white ceramic masterpiece. It was elegant, fancy, and gorgeous! I longed for that look in my own home. But when our design helper, Kevin, told us how much it would cost, my heart sank. I knew we couldn't sink that much money into flooring.

Not only that, but my 84-year-old snowbird mother-in-law was living with us at the time during the winter months. The thought of what mayhem a tiny bit of water could cause, made our choice an easy one. We couldn't risk a fall. Still, I was bummed that something I had pictured in my future for so long was just off the table. And it's not something you can easily do after the fact either.

Kevin consoled me with a few thoughts. First, he reminded me that I wanted a "beachy" feel to our home. An elegant, shiny ceramic tile was not going to give us that vibe. Then he offered a compromise. Why not pick one room to put the shiny tile in, as an homage to the dream? He suggested the master bath since that's a room you want to feel regal anyway. It was a brilliant compromise. Now, mind you, I realize that having a shiny ceramic in the bathroom could pose a slipping hazard. Duly noted! And though it might not be a big deal in the short term, as we age, it could be an issue.

(Post #71)

We decided to take the risk and when it doesn't seem safe anymore we'll either move or more practically, use rugs when that day comes. It was a brilliant compromise! 4 years later and I still love that room for it's princess feel. First world problem? Yes, but it's even more a perfect example that not getting what you want, doesn't have to be the end of the story. Gift yourself a compromise that brings you joy.