Friday, May 29, 2015

Analysis Paralysis

Analysis paralysis:   "The state of over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or "perfect" solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results, when on the way to a better solution."

A reader actually diagnosed my condition as "Analysis Paralysis!"
I can honestly say that's what I have.  Now that my contractors are pushing for decisions that need to be made, not just considered, I find myself not able to make a final decision. 
For example, I thought I wanted Virginia Mist granite for the kitchen countertops, but when I went looking for slabs, I didn't like the look.  

I thought it was supposed to resemble soapstone, but the slabs I'm finding look like they have clouds all over them and look grainy and too gray.

So now I'm reconsidering soapstone.  
I've read all the articles about the pros and cons.

My contractor even took me to a restaurant in the City, The Commisary, that has soapstone to see how it has held up.
After more than a year in a commercial application, this soapstone looks amazing.  Yes there are chips and scratches but I can live with them.

My contractor has been very patient, I have to say.  Here he is selecting the perfect marble for my bathroom vanity.  I'm thinking I should just leave these decisions up to him-that way a decision will at least be made.  
He doesn't suffer from "Analysis Paralysis!"

I did make a few decisions on lighting though.
Or at least I ordered a few lights.
This one came from Wisteria and is a potential winner for the cathedral ceiling in the living room.
At 37" wide, I hope it's wide enough to fill the space.  However, I'm still unsure about the look and am debating a huge lantern instead...

 I ordered two small chandeliers from Pottery Barn. 
This one for the powder room or master closet...

 ...and this one for the master bathroom.
If they don't work, I can return them.  Most lighting sites charge a restocking fee or don't allow returns, so I feel good about my purchases.

The one decision I don't regret making though is marrying this guy!
No "Paralysis Analysis" here!
33 years ago today we said "I do!"
Happy Anniversary to us!

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16 comments:

Susan B. said...

I've been very interested in your remodel as we have just finished one on the other coast. We did an 1893 Victorian in Cambridge, MA. Though not a complete gut job, we changed all the bathrooms, added a master bath and redid the kitchen, among other things. I opted for soapstone in my kitchen and after just under one month of living in the house, I have to say I'm glad I did. It's appropriate for the house and, with my white cabinets and unlacquered brass hardware, is definitely the look I was going for. Yes, it scratches and chips, but I think over time, this will give it that patina I love. I did my research and was finally convinced when I read For The Love Of A House's blog post on marble vs. soapstone. I also took her suggestion and used Real Milk Paint's soapstone sealer, which was very easy to apply.

I wish I could say my island countertop was as easy a decision. The island is painted in Onyx, which is almost black, but not quite, and at the moment has a "high quality plywood" top. (My MIL was visiting yesterday and she said she hadn't heard of that as a surface before. I explained it really could be called Indecision). The architect and the contractor both want me to use Sapele Mahogany but I'm not loving it. I'd love to do wood, but am not interested in butcher block, either. I might end up with a Vermont marble that has a lot of quartz and some dark veining in a honed finish, but for now, I'll stick with the High Quality Plywood.

Good luck with your decisions, Susan

Calypso In The Country said...

Happy Anniversary!! I am in the middle of "analysis paralysis" as well lately with our renovation. I am always in awe of people who can make a decision, stick with it and be happy...I haven't been able to do that! Ugh! Good luck with all your decisions. You have beautiful taste and I am sure it will all come together!
Shelley

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Happy Anniversary!! Your choices are drawing near, I'll be anxious to see what you choose. I'm truly hoping by fall I'll be in the same situation. fondly ~lynne~

Kathysue said...

Soapstone is the HAVE TO for your kitchen, that is what you originally wanted in your last kitchen, don't cave, Go for it, it will be the perfect patina for your new home. Final decisions are so hard. I know I had to make all of my decisions on our new home that is being built now in 4 different meetings all during the week of our move. My brain was a sieve and I am hoping and praying I made the right decisions, but I know I did for the look and of course budget constraints. Soapstone is a given for you and I would not hesitate in the least. GO For IT D!!!

Kathysue said...

Oh and Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. A!!!

Sarah said...

Happy Anniversary, Delores! Decisions are difficult for me at times too, then other times I can make a decision in a snap. Marrying my husband was one of those snap decisions, and we'll celebrate 40 years together in August. ;-)
Good luck with the counter top decisions. I remember when we were searching for just the right granite for our kitchen in our home. It's a long process.

Scribbler said...

Happy Anniversary and many many more! Go with your original instinct. I find that if I ignore those gut instincts I always live to regret it.

Anonymous said...

I think many people suffer from that paralysis in one form or another! I am still living with counter tops I don't love - a year after moving and being promised that we could change them! I am afraid I will make a choice that I don't love and maybe won't even like as much as what is there now!

Peggy said...

I completely understand your consternation. In January I had my kitchen remodeled. Choosing the countertop was the hardest decision I had to make. I am from a small town so looking at granite involved a two hour trip every time. I knew each slab was different and I just couldn't find the one I had in my mind. We looked at three different pllaces but just couldn't find wht i wanted. We put plywood on the countertops but we didn't have sink for a while. I felt pressure at that time to make a decision. Then I saw quartz. At first I thought it wasn't at all what I wanted but the more I looked the more I liked it. I finally decided on a back quartz with brown specks. There is no sealing or matenence with it...just clean with soap and water. What an advantage. It is durable...no scratching or denting. I realy love it.
Hold out until you find what you love. Don't rush even if it means longer sacrifice without a sink. It will be there forever and you want just what you need.

Unknown said...

Happy anniversary! And thanks so much for sharing your home with us - I love to see what you are doing - you have such a talent for decorating!

Julie Taylor and Danni Greenwalt said...

I love the look of soapstone..go for it!

June said...

I am the same way about deciding what I want to live with for a long long time. It's so hard, and I love your description for it.

cindy hattersley design said...

Soapstone is not for "ultra-perfectionists" but I love it! Joan (For the Love of a House) did a great post on it. I followed her advice and bought the milk paint soapstone wax. I have it in my guest bath and love it! Good Luck I know whatever you do will be wonderful!!

Burlap Luxe said...

I dont work about care, an old French café. Or bakery does not words about the wear yét the beauty is what we are after with That perfectly perfect wear and âge to it.
I have lived with vintage marble rough edges raw and beautiful, and the years of stains and water rings added such a grace with mineral build up.... Yet my choice now is Soap stone in the raw, un-conditioned, and not oiled. Let it speak for itself and have that aged old rural rustic language to your counters, I know Delores it will be a look that anchors your space and the beauty will only get better as aging takes place... It's all the age in the antiques we desire so why not let the soapstone take on its age, noting a little bleach can't disenfect.


Yes I see you with soap stone such rich rustic beauty, so much flexibility in designing around, and a timeless desired look.
So wish they were my counters, someday in my beach cottage.

Xx
Love the chandeliers you have chosen, can't wait to see it all pulled together.... Happy late Anniversary my dear.

Xx
Dore

Burlap Luxe said...

Oh Delores, I forgot to tell you an old dear French friend down in Laguna Ca. Has old vintage soap stone and she cares for it with little care, I am in love with the look of her French Kitchen, and they say the French design has the strongest staying power never dating itself.

I wouldn't have to think about it for a minute, soap stone counter with a hammered zinc sink, or a soap stone shallow sink nice and long.

Xx
Dore

Suzlovesflowers said...

Decisions are hard for sure, but I just wanted to say that I have honed Virginia Mist and absolutely love it!
You have to find a slab that you are happy with however. Mine doesn't have the 'clouding', but some beautiful veining....I thought I wanted soapstone, and probably would have been happy with that too.
Good luck and Happy Anniversary!

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