tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post17718933932365199..comments2024-03-17T04:14:44.845-05:00Comments on Frugal Scholar: The Diderot Effect et moi: Decluttering. Spending, Consuming and all the restFrugal Scholarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12696815672500452503noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-25971543545875537112012-04-06T01:04:39.526-05:002012-04-06T01:04:39.526-05:00Most things in our house were inherited, bought se...Most things in our house were inherited, bought second hand or handmade. New items tend to look really out of place until they are bashed in a bit. We found that Ikea bookshelves are acceptable and a glass TV table up on the landing didn't offend too much, but as I refuse to unload our beloved inherited pieces of furniture a Diderot-style upgrade simply isn't on the cards for us. Thank Goodness! Clothes, those are a different story, one I've not yet figured out I think.Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-3395690438824032622012-03-14T20:23:58.303-05:002012-03-14T20:23:58.303-05:00@PC--Me too. Every time I think I'm done, I ha...@PC--Me too. Every time I think I'm done, I have a new desire. Of course, I also have a greater tolerance for shabby than most, so much of what I do would have been done long sense by others.<br /><br />@Sewing--Well, the Encyc is the BIG book. Read the essay if you have a chance--it's a lot of fun.<br /><br />@Joan--So true about Ikea. True also of Shabby Chic looks and others. Bringing things home so often results in disappointment.<br /><br />@Terri--Ohhh, hope you will model it in the near future! My daughter and <br />i have started sniffing at certain brands at the thrifts--oh another Ann Taylor, big deal!<br /><br />@Duchesse--True for C and B, but DWR has many museum type pieces that I would love. I promised my son a Noguchi coffee table if he ever settles down and my daughter wants a pair of Eros chairs by Starck. Of course, their taste may change. Haven't read the book, but will get a copy--it does sound good.<br /><br />@Miss M--We are also trying to decide what we should and shouldn't do in our house. I appreciate your point about upkeep--certain things make me nervous. I read an essay (I think it was by Nora Ephron) about someone who bought an expensive handbag and was then trapped in a restaurant b/c she didn't want to take it out in the rain.Frugal Scholarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12696815672500452503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-23601310619743763092012-03-12T09:09:26.162-05:002012-03-12T09:09:26.162-05:00I agree with Duchesse. I'm pretty sure I have ...I agree with Duchesse. I'm pretty sure I have hit my level of upgrade, with most things, anyway. <br /><br />I'm not willing to upgrade if the new thing will require excessive upkeep or fear of theft/damage, or if it's overpriced. I'll pay full retail for quality, but I refuse to pay an unfair price.<br /><br />These two things tend to keep my shopping under a certain price level.<br /><br />And then there are certain times when I just decide I'm not going to upgrade even if I dislike what I have. For instance, there are a lot of things that bug me about my house, but I've made the decision that I'm not going to invest in decorating or remodeling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-23329171388334747082012-03-12T07:34:45.794-05:002012-03-12T07:34:45.794-05:00Really enjoyed your post, and yes, it happens, *fo...Really enjoyed your post, and yes, it happens, *for awhile*. But eventually one hits his or her level of upgrade. Most people are not striving for museum-quality everything, which is why Crate & Barrel and Design Within Reach exist.<br /><br />If wise (Bon Diderot?) the durables last for life (and possibly longer) and if you replace the other things only as they wear out, you are in fact better off than if you consume in the gotta-get-the-latest mindset.<br /><br />I think that what marketers want even more than the upgrade buyer is a culture that buys trends and disposable junk.<br /><br />(I'm writing this response in an Eric Bompard cashmere cardigan I think is at least a decade old, and is in great shape.)<br /><br />I loved "The Overspent American"!Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-68159397726503535192012-03-11T22:33:31.078-05:002012-03-11T22:33:31.078-05:00Oh, dear. I have noticed this effect in my thrift...Oh, dear. I have noticed this effect in my thrifting for clothing and just today, after 25 years of resisting, I bought a fur...This is not good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-67782965706900039782012-03-11T12:10:23.781-05:002012-03-11T12:10:23.781-05:00Now I understand why trips to Ikea are fraught wit...Now I understand why trips to Ikea are fraught with such disappointment... The "look" only works if you buy the whole package!Joanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09458408621855773976noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-67264419545259977032012-03-11T11:31:00.710-05:002012-03-11T11:31:00.710-05:00Interesting! I had heard of this effect but had no...Interesting! I had heard of this effect but had not heard it associated with Diderot. I associate Diderot with L'Encyclopedie.SewingLibrarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884510117234994583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8242926316765633205.post-53651693796866971472012-03-11T10:59:23.824-05:002012-03-11T10:59:23.824-05:00Thanks for the interesting post.
I think it is p...Thanks for the interesting post. <br />I think it is possible to upgrade just one thing. My house has been in a state of piecemeal upgrading for over ten years so I have seen bits of it look unbearably shabby as other bits are improved.Patience_Crabstickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16860012969550268614noreply@blogger.com