I’ve been on the lookout for a vintage map for awhile now. And I realized something very important about myself as I haunted consignment stores and online sources.
When it comes to bigger purchases, I suffer from ‘must-be-able-to-return-it-if-it-doesn’t-work-itis’.
The struggle is real people.
When it comes to smaller purchases, I have no problem buying something that is non-returnable. But when it comes to those bigger pieces, my little ‘itis’ rears it’s ugly head. This is especially true if I’m not absolutely positive if the idea I’ve envisioned in my mind is going to actually work in reality. I like having the freedom to try something and, if it doesn’t look right, simply return it and get my money back.
I fully intended to buy an honest-to-goodness, too-legit-to-quit vintage map. But every time I found one I just couldn’t pull the trigger. I wasn’t willing to take the risk of it not working in the space and then being stuck with it and then having to still go out and find something that actually did work. My frugal nature just wouldn’t let me do it.
So, I waited. And watched. And waited some more. Until, one day, I went to Craft Warehouse fully intending to only buy a bunch of faux spring-y branches but when I spotted something old-ish looking rolled up and leaning against the wall I just had to inspect further.
I picked it up, unrolled it and saw that it was a map of the world. No, it wasn’t legitimately vintage.
But it was vintage-ish. And, frankly, on this particular purchase, that was just fine with me. Because I knew that if it didn’t work out, I could simply take it back.
But I didn’t need to. Because it was absolutely perfect!
I know that when it comes to purchases for my home there will be times when I need to take a risk, times when I have to go out on a limb and trust my gut that something will work in a space even if it’s not returnable. But, I also know that there is much to be said for erring on the side of caution. I like to think that most of the time I strike a balance. Have there been things I’ve missed out on? Sure. But, I know that in the grand scheme of life and home decor, being a good steward of my resources is always a win.
So glad you could meet me at the Fence today friends,
I just love your new map and it is the perfect piece over your console table – great find, ladies!
Love the map! It looks “vintage” hanging on your wall.
What I don’t love are the ads that keep popping up when I click on your emails. Can you tactfully remove them?
Have a great day!
Hi Barbara! Thank you so much for your sweet comment about my new map. 🙂 I’m so sorry about the ads on the emails. It costs us money to have email subscriptions and the ads are one of the ways we help to offset the costs but we are looking into ways that we can either tone them down or switch to a new provider and make that less annoying. I hope you’ll stick with us until we can get it figured out and thank you for letting us know!
What a great find! You would never know by looking at it that it wasn’t vintage and it looks perfect in the space. 🙂
Love that look and I’ve been looking for a map to do just the same. Did you purchase just the map and then add the dowels and trim yourself or did it come all together like that? It’s awesome!
Hi Amy! It came just like that with the dowels already attached but I think it would be so easy to do with just a plain map, you know? Just saved me some steps. LOL!
Love the map; I to have been looking for a vintage looking. Great find!! Can’t wait to see the reply to Amy’s question!
Hi Colleen! It actually came just like you see it with the chain to hang it and the metal dowels already attached. 🙂
I love it too and have the same question as above…. did it come with the hanger? IF so, SCORE! An old one would not have come ready to hang I bet. (although I am an antiques fanatic)
🙂
http://gwingal.blogspot.com/
Hi Nikki! It actually did come with the chain and the iron dowels so it definitely was a score!! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Great find! It looks so nice there! As for me, I can be extravagant if I find something absolutely perfect…but for the most part I am frugal person, and practical…so an occasional splurge is okay. I sometimes wait a very long time to find just the right thing. I’m losing patience with myself though, looking for something to go on either side of a large picture. It’s on a long wall behind a sofa. I’d like something three dimensional. Maybe I’ll stumble on something like you did.
In the early 70’s as a just turned teen, I went to a teen girls’ Bible study (no. No one was doing that back then!! It was a wonderful part of my life). Our leader had a replica framed vintagey world map. Ahhh I loved it!!! Now all these years later my daughter has gotten a lot of various maps–some vintage, some just look it. I’m smitten!! I love yours too because it’s like a scroll! Looks great❤️
That does look perfect! Glad it worked out. And I am exactly the same way about purchases.
This map definitely adds some awesome vintage look to the room! Congratulations & thanks for sharing!