Reader Survey Insights (Here’s Who You Are)
Thank you so much to those of you who participated in my reader survey last week! I had about 2,000 people respond, and it was so much fun going over the info and learning more about the people who read my blog. I can’t say that there were any truly shocking revelations about who you are, but there were some results that made me say, “Hmmm…that’s interesting.” 😀
So who are you? Here’s what I learned…
What is your gender?
Okay, this one actually did shock me a little. Of course, I’ve known for quite some time (since the beginning, really) that the majority of my readers are female. But there’s quite a range of possibilities between 51% and 100%. I had no idea that the actual number would fall so close to the 100% mark!! 😀
What is your relationship status?
This one didn’t shock me, but it was interesting to see that so many of you are married, and many of you had write-in answers along the lines of “long-term relationship but not married” or “living with significant other for many years.” So all of you who are married, combined with those of you in long-term relationships and living with your significant other, comprise about 85% of those who responded.
What is your age range?
The plurality of those who responded fall in the 60+ category, with the next largest group in the 50-60 age range. In all, the overwhelming majority of my readers are 41 and over.
What is your education level?
The plurality of respondents are in the same category as I am, having received a Bachelor’s degree. (I have a B.S. in psychology, which I always say seems like a fitting name. 😀 ) But I have quite a few smarty pants readers who have Master’s degrees, and a handful of overachievers with Doctorate degrees. 😀
What is your annual household income?
The thing that surprised me the most on this question wasn’t the results of this question. I knew the results would be all over the place, because people are in different places in life, have different visions for their lives, have different goals and dreams. For some, having a very lucrative career is the goal. For others, impacting the lives of children as a school teacher, or running a non-profit organization that helps others, is the vision despite the fact that financial sacrifices will have to be made in order to pursue those dreams. So the results didn’t shock me at all, but the number of people who seemed offended that I had asked and wouldn’t take the survey because of this one question did surprise me.
I explained how this question might help me in the survey post, so I won’t rehash that. But several people seemed to think I was lying about not being able to identify who answered this question in which way. So I wanted to show you that this is exactly how the results of this survey were shown to me. This is it. This is all I can see. There are no personal identifiers attached with individual answers. The survey doesn’t even collect IP addresses, much less names, locations, email addresses, or anything else. All I get is this pie chart.
What is your current housing situation?
It’s no shock to me that the majority of you own your home, with a portion of you renting but in the market to buy. But I don’t know that I expected 90% to be home owners. That’s quite a high number!
Who’s currently renovating/remodeling/redecorating?
There was certainly no surprise here. The plurality of you are renovating/remodeling/redecorating currently, and a huge portion of you are getting ready to take on a project.
What room are you renovating/remodeling/redecorating?
The bathroom seems to be the room that most of you are currently working on, followed by the kitchen. That makes perfect sense to me seeing that bathrooms and kitchens are the rooms that add the most value to a home. But there are lots of you working on so many other areas of your home as well.
Do you have any pets?
The answers to this question gave me a laugh. Obviously, dogs are the most common pets (I have one myself), followed by cats (I have two of those also). But I had a write-in spot, and I was so shocked by how many people have horses! Other interesting write-in answers included fish, chickens, tortoises, rabbits, parrots, ducks, sheep, cows, donkeys, birds (cockatiels, African Grey parrots, lovebirds, parakeets, etc.), ferrets, guinea pigs, miniature donkeys, tarantulas, pythons, bearded dragons, and more!
Which post topics most interest you?
The majority of you (82%) enjoy home improvement posts. That’s no surprise. What did shock me is that 75% of you said that you enjoy general design and decorating posts, whether or not they have anything to do with my house specifically or the project I’m working on at the moment. I hadn’t expected that! For some reason, I was under the impression that the vast majority of you ONLY want to hear about my house and my specific projects. That’s why, for the most part, I’ve gotten to where I only blog if I have progress to show you on my house or a specific project I’m working on. But I clearly miscalculated, because 75% of you are just looking for general decorating and design inspiration.
This gave me an idea. I scroll Instagram every single day with pretty much one singular focus — to find and save (for myself and for my own inspiration) beautiful and COLORFUL rooms. It’s not an easy task because the majority of my feed is filled with neutral rooms. But I do find them, and I save them, and I refer back to them when I feel that the neutral rooms are sucking the life out of me. 😀
So if you’re looking for general inspiration (which 75% of you are), and you like color (which I imagine you do since you read my blog), then I could create a weekly post showing you the fantastic COLORFUL rooms that have inspired me each week. I could probably come up with some similar ideas just to show you what I’ve been searching, reading, researching, planning, been inspired by, etc. This will give y’all more content to read (as some of you expressed disappointment that I don’t blog as often as I used to) while I’m busy working on projects but haven’t quite made enough progress to share in a blog post.
Anyway, all that to say that if 75% of you enjoy general decorating and design inspiration posts, I can certainly do better in that category.
How long have you been reading Addicted 2 Decorating?
This was one of those “Wow!” moments. Fifty percent of you have been reading A2D for four or more years, and so many of you wrote in the “other feedback” section that you’ve been following me since the condo days. That’s over six years! Wow. I mean, just…wow. That amazes me.
Other feedback:
Let me just say that y’all blew my socks off with the feedback you gave me. I mean, it was anonymous, so you could have said anything you wanted. You could have said mean things or unloaded your frustration onto me, and I never would have known who said it.
But 99.9% of you left the most encouraging, sweet, kind, amazing, inspiring comments I’ve ever read. I mean, if I’m ever having a bad day, or have someone leave a nasty comment on the blog or Facebook page that burrows into my brain, all I have to do is go and read the feedback left by all you beautiful, amazing, encouraging, inspiring people, and it will immediately brighten my day. Seriously…amazing.
I did want to address one recurring concern, and that’s the fear that my blog will change if I start partnering with brands. I want to assure you that that won’t happen.
My blog, despite the name, has evolved into a DIY blog. I know that’s why most of you read my blog, and that will never change. I will continue to do as much DIY as I’m physically able to do. Whether or not I have a company give me a light for the bathroom, or tile for the bathroom, or anything else, I’ll be the one doing the work. And really, when it comes to light fixtures or tile, there’s just not a whole lot that one can say about those things. Either you like the style or you don’t, and obviously, I’d never put something in my house that I don’t like simply because I’m getting paid to use a product. That would be stupid on my part. I’ve gone this long without doing sponsored posts and brand partnerships, and I’d rather continue on that path rather than start filling my house with things I don’t like just for an extra payout.
And as far as big brands go, I know that there will always be people who are skeptical about partnerships. The only thing I can say is that I’m simply not the type of person who can, with a good conscience, partner with a brand that I don’t like. Heck, I’m not the kind of person who can keep my big mouth shut and my opinions to myself. I’m incredibly opinionated, and I generally don’t hold back sharing those opinions with anyone who will listen. 😀 So lying to people about how I feel about a brand or product just isn’t in my nature, and that’s not because I’m such puritan who isn’t capable of lying. It’s because I’m a super opinionated person with a loud mouth. 😀 I’m the type of person who will blab to anyone who will listen about my true feelings and thoughts about a brand or product.
Case in point: I see so many bloggers partnering with Lowe’s. They get massive projects paid for by Lowe’s for promoting Lowe’s. You will NEVER see that on my blog. Why? Because frankly, I can’t stand Lowe’s, and I have a hard time keeping that opinion to myself. Exhibit A from a text convo from just two days ago…
I’m a Home Depot girl through and through, and I’ve made no effort to keep my disdain for Lowe’s a secret over the years (which is probably why Lowe’s has never offered to partner with me 😀 ). Lowe’s could offer to pay for our entire addition, and I’d tell them to go pound sand.
Actually, there is one situation in which I would partner with Lowe’s. If someone from that store came to me and said, “Kristi, we know that we’ve lost you as a regular customer, and you choose to spend your tens of thousands of dollars each year at Home Depot instead. Can you work with us to figure out what we can do better to regain your loyalty as a customer?” Yes, I would work with them in that case. And I’d tell you all about it.
I’d tell them about the time that I went in to buy Airstone (which HD doesn’t carry in stock, unfortunately) and the guy “helping” me couldn’t answer a single question about the product and made no effort at all to find the information. So I turned to another employee who was nearby to ask if he knew about the product, to which he answered, “No, not really,” and then went about what he was doing without giving me another thought. Then when I bent down to pick up the somewhat heavy box and struggled to get it in my cart, the first young man who had been “helping” me stood there and watched me struggle with the box and made ZERO effort to help me as he stood right next to my cart. I literally had to ASK him if he would help me pick up the next box and put it in my cart for me.
I’d tell them about the lady in the paint department who didn’t know anything about adhesives, and didn’t seem to care. The instructions on the box of Airstone said to use polyurethane adhesive, so I asked her where to find that, and she said, “The polyurethanes are on this aisle.” When I said, “No I mean polyurethane adhesive,” she responded, “Oh, I don’t know what that is. But I’m sure you could just use Liquid Nails.” Wrong answer.
I’d tell them about the time I went in to get two folding sawhorses. Knowing I have two hands, I decided not to get a cart. But when I found them and saw the price, I decided to get three instead. They were kind of heavy, but I thought I could stack two under one arm and make it to the cash register. As I walked along, one of them started slipping and nearly fell to the floor, so I started walking faster, and walking in a crazy way to keep it from crashing to the floor. The whole while, an employee was standing there WATCHING me struggle, and made absolutely effort to help me.
I mean, my stories with Lowe’s go on and on and on, and I have a new poor customer service story almost every time I have to go into that store. When I think of stores with the worst customer service imaginable, Lowe’s is at the top of my list.
So, yeah. If you ever see a post from me that says, “Sponsored by Lowe’s Home Improvement,” y’all have every right to call me on it. I wouldn’t blame you in the least for abandoning my blog at that point for my complete lack of integrity after my years of complaining about how much I dislike Lowe’s and how I’m a Home Depot loyalist.
So I guess all I can say is that I hope by now, because so many of you have been reading my blog for so long, and because I’m not one to hide my feelings and thoughts, I’d hope you could trust my judgment on the brands I work with even if I’m getting paid. Because there are brands out there who could offer me the world, and I’d tell them to go pound sand.
Anyway, beyond that, rest assured that the blog isn’t going to change much, if at all. My main focus will always be this blog. Not YouTube. Not Instagram. Not anything else. This blog is the hub of everything I share online, and it will remain so for a very long time. 🙂
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
The thing I hate most about Lowe’s is the way their male employees treat women. I have been there several times looking for parts I needed for a project. When I would ask the employees where something was, they would then answer my question (incorrectly) while speaking to my husband! My husband would try to tell them that it was my project of which he knows very little, but they just couldn’t seem to understand that a woman knows what she’s talking about!
I think that’s anywhere, truly! When I went looking to buy my pickup truck, many of the salesmen asked if my husband was with me! Well, guess who lost sales over that nonsense! I walked into one place and the guy never mentioned a hubby, was very congenial and worked with me every step of the way! I brought hubby with me only to pick up my vehicle and drive away. It was my deal, my vehicle after all 😂😂
I realize this isn’t a decorating post but I think us women have all dealt with those attitudes!
Loved this post and seeing your results. Lol about Lowe’s. For the life of me I have issues with them when I walk in. I’ve yet to be given customer service, I’ve had to hunt high and low for someone to help me an like you they generally never seem to be able to answer my questions! Pathetic!
I really enjoy your blog!!
OMG! YES!!! I was looking at tool chests, a nice big one on wheels. To get MY tools organized. So I was scoping out all they had. Opening drawers, looking at the various models. The current stooge- came over and said they made great jewelry boxes. I was speechless! I know he was just trying to be funny and such. But holy crap. Just because I’m a woman, doesn’t mean I am looking for a jewelry box. If I was I could make the dang thing my self!
LOL! You should have told him the blanketty blank tools you bought there cost as much as jewelry!
Oy, this circumstance gets me in double GRRRRR!
I grew up with dudes that have all had careers or jobs in the industry at one time or another and a DIY dad. It’s amazing what a kid can learn fetching tools, holding this and that……. girl or boy. As a divorcee and homeowner I can’t tell you the dollars that has saved me. You inspire everyone Kristi………. your influence and knowledge that keeps women in homes is priceless.
KUDOS to you for your talent and reaching out to us to grow and improve. APPLAUSE!!!!
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Kristi your survey results turned out great. I’m with you on Lowe’s. I had to call the corporate office to get a lawnmower issue resolved. I got what I needed but after getting the run around. Home Depot is definitely my go to. You are treated well and they are helpful.
Yes, interesting results, indeed. LOWES? I find it varies from location to location. In my town, Lowes is great. Other locations sometimes not so great. RE: partnering – my only real objection is this tends to load the blog to the max with ads. This seems to cause constant crashes and reloads. EXTREMELY frustrating. Caused me to give up on several blogs I used to follow.
I LOVE your colorful home, however, I would love to learn how to use color without “going over the top”. I eclectic homes, but sometimes it seems like a hodgepodge. Do you think this is a matter of clutter? Would that be the difference. I love your blog and hope to read more soon.
Surprise, I’m a neutral gal. But all these farmhouse bland rooms , on instagram, that all look the same with no personality make me want to poke my eyes out! Love your creativity and diy. Home Depot tries to hire retired plumbers, electricians etc. or people that have worked in the trade. I loved Home Depot too, until I order two custom exterior doors that we’re defective and they might as well just shrugged their shoulders. Now I have to boycott them☹️
Call the corporate office – they WILL help you.
I hear your frustration with Lowe’s. I am fortunate to have access to multiples of both stores in my area. Both seemed to have changed over the years. The employees really make the experience good or rotten. I buy different things in each store generally. My windows are from Lowe’s, my paint from Home Depot. At times special employees have shared helpful tips that made projects turn out great, other times I get only blank looks. The prize winners for treating me equally are the local lumber yard guys!
Thanks for doing the survey and sharing the results! Fun! Similar experiences with Lowe’s. Can’t find an employee anywhere in the store near where you need them (are they all on break?) and customer service is downright belligerent whenever you try to return something or even ask them questions. Definitely not a pleasant place to shop. Home Depot, on the other hand, is friendly and accommodating no matter where you are in the store. They will even walk you down to another department and help you find something. No hassles on returns either.
I have had the same experiences with many of their sales associates. They don’t know their product, are condescending to women, and tell me I can’t until I explain how I can. I’m an HD girl! But I only buy appliances from Lowes. Why?? Because all appliances !made now are designed to last maybe 8 years. Mfg warranties are very limited (1 yr?). Lowes offers a Lowes warranty for up to 5 years at an excellent price that covers just about everything. My service guy recommended it after 2 pricy visits on my $2300 seven year old HE Profile fridge.
YES Kristi! Loved all the content on your post today – loved your reveal of the survey, and love some of your new ideas. I have only followed for a year or two, and I already KNOW you would never endorse anything that wasn’t truly great in your experience. Money or not, you always appear to be honest in you opinions/assessments of tools, paints, well, everything! I even like it when you are honest enough to admit a mistake or a failure. We are all out here experiencing the exact same thing – why not be honest! Keep up the awesome work, and know this…most of us look forward to your posts – first thing I read! THANK YOU. PS) I prefer Home Depot too!
First, I have to ask, do you speak your blog to your computer or do you physically key it in? Your blogs are very long, which I love. But man, keying all that in must take a long time. I love color. So your style is great for me. I felt the same way about Lowe’s vs. Home Depot. We were at Lowe’s a year ago. I was so surprised by the helpfulness of the employees. I asked where the manager was. Strangely, he was a bit down the aisle from us. I told him I was pleasantly surprised by the way the employees responded to customers now. He said that was a goal he was trying to accomplish. So maybe there’s hope it will spread to other locations.
Thanks Kristi for your honesty and insight and ability to share.
Kristi, I love your blog, your creativity and use of color. I didn’t get around to doing your survey, but I’ve been following you for over four years and am over 60. I probably wouldn’t have done the survey if I couldn’t have skipped the income question. I never give out that information.
One time at Lowe’s, this elderly male worker helped me stack up 75+ edging stones onto a cart and then into my car (he actually even snuck in a few extra “in case I broke a few in the process”). I tried to tip him $10 for his help, but he refused it saying “this is all part of my job.” This young female worker, who came up at the last minute and put maybe 2 stones into my car, snatched it out of my hand and said “I’ll be sure to share it with him.” Another time at Lowe’s, I had a guy come running out to help me load up a vanity, toilet, and all bathroom fixtures into my car. One time at Home Depot, I had a guy stop me from putting a bathtub onto my cart and quizzed me on which hand bathtub I needed. He even walked me through the steps of deciding which one I needed, even though I already knew. Once I satisfied his need to mansplain, do you think he helped me load the bathtub onto the cart? LOL. Just like others, I find it depends on the neighborhood. Lowe’s used to be my go-to in my old neighborhood…now, the one closest to my house sucks and so I go to Home Depot. It’s so hard to find good help these days!
I love the idea of sharing pictures from where you get some of your ideas and inspiration from. I love your blog!
Lowe’s. … GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR The sad part? It’s literally 5 minutes from my house. so close. My story involves a grill. We ordered a grill to be delivered. We just got tired of buying parts every season for the cheap one we hated. It was gonna be 4 weeks at least. It wasn’t available in store, so we ordered online in early April so we would hopefully have it in time for summer or you know.. hopefully Memorial Day. We weren’t in any hurry. But 4 weeks later when they couldn’t even give a status update (the whole fulfillment center to store band aid story). We tried to be patient and polite, but that gets no where. But no one would communicate anything or tell us who could. Turns out the order got lost but they sure took our money! They tried to tell us it wouldn’t be until JULY before it was available to be delivered! This wasn’t even a fancy grill. Just a basic step up from the bottom model. THEN… when we finally got approved from corporate to get a refund at the store. The store tried to keep the sale by offering us the more expensive model. We didn’t think they deserved the business period. We just wanted a refund back on the card it was purchased. Then the $!#$!! manager at the store, said he was doing us a favor and put it back on the credit card, even though he was well within his rights to make it store credit, since we cancelled a web order. (Absolute b.s.) That condescension was the last straw. That was several years ago. We went to our local regional hardware store a town over and bought the same grill. They had plenty in stock. They even loaded it into my car with a smile and a have fun grilling.
I have many Lowe’s stories. I try not to give them my business. They are horrible. HORRIBLE! Everytime I think I’ve given them enough time, they go right back and prove they are HORRIBLE! I seriously don’t think I could hate a store more than I hate Lowe’s.
Lowes vs. Home Depot. What’s weird is that I think this is regional based in nature. I have these exact claims about service at our HD in Georgia’s well as NW Florida. They are HORRIBLE. Zero customer service if you can even FIND a sales associate in HD. Lowes on the other hand has always had helpful folks who will either answer the question or find someone who can. So although I TOTALLY believe you in your experiences with your area it’s different here. I find it interesting how different experiences and service are in two regions of the country at the same stores.
Donna! Same here! I have had terrible service at HD. When looking at Weber grills we had to search for sales people. 3 people standing around, finally answered our question, then went back to talking and being on their phones. We walked out of there, drove to Lowe’s and bought the same exact grill we were looking at HD. The lady there was falling over herself to help us. So many more experiences like this with HD. They lost thousands of dollars that day. The only reason I even walk in there is because it’s closer and I love their paint.
I would love posts of colorful inspirational rooms! My walls are blue and I love them!
I was at Lowes this weekend looking for quick set drywall mud (while standing in the drywall aisle). An employee asked if I needed help so I told him what I was looking for. He said the only quick set type product they carry is thinset by the tile. 😂🤣🤦♀️ I found what I needed halfway down the aisle I was on. I was reminded why I don’t ask employees for help. I’ve had just as many similar experiences at Home Depot.
Kristi, why are you trying to shop the Lowe’s store in Crestview FL? LOL Same experience for me. Latest idiot encounter: sink/disposal removed by SIL & g-son at Thanksgiving. I quickly realized that I didn’t have water to the icemaker or the DW which was full of dirty dishes. Called Lowe’s to make sure they had the compression fittings to cap off the outlets to the missing sink faucet. You never know about this store! Got there & guy on duty didn’t even know what I was talking about. Other guy came back from lunch & knew exactly what I was talking about. While I was waiting for him to get back, I started picking out the drain assembly. First guy says, Wow, you sure seem to know what you want! That’s when I asked about a “boot” to connect PVC to the 1973 metal drain stub. He wasn’t sure what I was talking about. 2nd guy now back from lunch. Fortunately, altho young, he knew what I was talking about & retrieved the boot and the fittings for me. Wish I had a HD near me! For really obscure hardware, we have a store that’s been in business since WWII.
I have reported stuff to the main office of Lowe’s but nothing ever changes!
You know what, Kristi? I just had a thought. I wonder if you couldn’t also do some blog posts about things you do in your house to make life easier for your husband. Do you organize things for him in a certain way? Have you found products or ways of doing things that work well for someone in a wheelchair? I bet there are people out there that could learn some useful things from you. You are doing a great job with your blog! I look at it everyday!
Kristi, this seems like such a great idea. I worked for a wheelchair-bound lady for years cleaning her house. She had such trouble with cleaning people because while they could clean, they could not put themselves in her place. For example the one would put all the reach-grabber things up on a top shelf. Out of the way, yes…neat, yes…accessible for a lady in the wheelchair that actually had to use them, NO! She would need one to reach them! I could go on and on. As soon as I started working for her, I always thought of her during the day as I cleaned/organized things for her. There are always things that can make someone’s life easier/better. I bet you could really help.
Thanks for sharing the results. It would be great if you were to do an occasional/weekly/bimonthly design inspiration blog about instagrams or blogs that have caught your eye.
Gotta add my $.02 about how woman customers are treated at Lowe’s. Yes, I had the same experience many of you have described. BTW, I hope someone from Lowe’s sees this. I have told off employees to their faces for condescending treatment, both at Lowe’s, at car dealerships and at appliance stores. And I have said it loudly and then walked out. Don’t be scared friends! How will the poor pointy headed dears learn?
Kristi!!!! hahahahahaaha never change!!!! But know you have a “safe word” now… if something is waaaaayyyy off for you, you can tell us “I am going to Lowe’s” or “this project is sponsored by Lowe’s” and we will know immediately you are in danger :-)!!!
Oh my gosh, that’s hilarious!! 😀 Matt and I both laughed so hard at this.
My local Lowes is pretty good. The one next town over not so much. You work to dang hard not to get a paycheck. If you can get a partnership that would be awesome. Daniel Kanter from Manhattan nest (Lowes) walks that tightrope very well IMHO. My style is way more rustic then yours but I love your tutes, creativity and get it done attitude. I always make a cup of tea before I open your post and fall into the archives. Good luck Kristi!
Glad you mentioned the Partnering bit. While I still subscribe, I’ve recently found myself ignoring videos I previously enjoyed because they have begun partnering and are now so commercial I no longer enjoy them. Glad to hear you won’t be doing that. I love everything you do, and I am amazed at your creativity and downright courage in everything you do. You are like having a very real friend who shares ideas and teaches me how I can do things myself. Thank you for your blog and for being yourself.
Kristi, you are the best!
I definitely support you partnering. Home Depot please.
Interesting results from the survey which I did take. Mostly I wouldn’t have thought that your demographic skewed that old even thought I just became one of the 60+.
I would love to see you do some decorating blogs with colorful rooms. I’m often searching for photos and ideas and like you, bland rooms suck the life out of me.
Just keep trying with the C.O.P. It’s always hard to start new habits and I’m right there with you just trying to keep up with the daily. If you read her first book, she has a 28-day plan that starts very, very slowly with making things a habit and then builds.
Kristi, I think the Lowe’s in Waco is the worst in the USA…and it’s a high bar to reach!
I agree with you, Kristi, and so many others here: Lowe’s, frankly, just sucks! LUV me some HD!! LUV me some color, too, so I look forward to more. ALL THE COLOR!🤪
I took the survey — fun to see the results.
I would indeed love to see posts featuring colorful rooms and just great decorating ideas!
Well, surprise I’m 70 ½ and have followed you since the Condo days. Last year we moved to a Sun City and bought a lovely older home for a great price, BUT it was so outdated. In 11 months my husband and I have worked our butts off….ripping carpet out and laying LVP ( HALLELUJAH we found one you can lay on top of tile floor and saved our backs! ) made the Master bath have a double vanity, walk in shower and new everything! , painted all rooms, added crown molding and extra trim to the 3” baseboard, ripped out Plantation shutters, trimmed windows and did general decorating….rugs, furniture and accessories! All while my 10 years younger hunny works full time! We are about to redo the kitchen…new EVERYTHING! so I may be “ old” but I am BUSY! I’ve made tons of new friends, joined a few clubs and started taking Art classes….watercolor is next. I’ve never been so happy!
I’ve dropped all my other blogs…..no color and way out of my price range…..$125 for a velvet pumpkin…no thanks…I’ll make my own! Kristi you are a bit more daring in your color choices but it makes me happy and I’ve learned a lot. My husband knows who L Kristi is and enjoys your stories.
I’m waiting for you to reupholster those chairs so I can tackle a love seat!
looooong time reader here!
so glad & relieved you’ll be continuing your blog. YAY!!
and BTW just like you decorating your house is your business and we can enjoy or scroll on by, who and how you ‘decorate’ your blog with partnerships – is your business and we can click and enjoy or scroll on by!
one only has to read a few of your blog posts to get a very clear idea of the type of person you are hon.
so do what you need to do.
you keep this blog free for us and if that means partnerships decorate your blog, go for it! i trust your judgement.
Kristi, send your Lowes up to my town. I love Lowes! They were my number 1 place to shop until they closed down last year. It sucks having to drive 2 hours to get to the nearest Lowes. I hate Home Depot. My dad is a Vietnam veteran but Home Depot refuses to give him the military discount because they say his military ID is too old (there is no expiration date on it – it never expires). Lowes never gives him any hassle when he asks for the discount. Their customer service is excellent.
Two weeks ago, I bought a vanity from Lowes (1/2 off because it was special order that was never picked up) and they wrapped it up in bubble wrap and put it in my truck for me. I didn’t even have to ask. It was a heavy SOB!!
When I bought laminate flooring on-sale last year, I had a bunch left over and tried to return it. It was discontinued so they said I couldn’t return it. However, they gave me store credit anyway for the amount I was trying to return and let me keep the leftover flooring which I ended up selling on Craigslist.
When I needed to build a fence, I went to Lowes and asked the lady working there what they had for fencing. She told me all about the different types of fencing, the pros & cons of each, how to install it, what I would need to install it and even told me how to measure my yard. I came back the next day with the measurements and they helped me figure out exactly how much fence I needed. I ended up with an extra panel, post and 3 bags of cement and they let me return them, no problem, even though the package on the post was torn open.
When my parents installed a new kitchen two years ago, the lady working in the kitchen department was excellent. She even gave my parents her personal phone number so they could call her directly if they had any questions.
Maybe Lowes sucks in Texas but in Minnesota they are the best. When it comes to Home Depot, I can never seem to find anyone to help me plus I hate that they only have self-serve cash registers. I know I probably shouldn’t confess this but I was trying to buy some paint rollers last May and I couldn’t get them to scan on the register. There were no employees around to help me and I finally just gave up and walked out with them. I thought for sure an employee would stop me when the anti-theft buzzer went off but there still wasn’t an employee in sight. I have never stolen anything in my life but I really didn’t feel bad stealing from HD. If they can’t bother to have employees around to help people, then they shouldn’t expect people to wait around at the cash registers.
Menards is the only home improvement store I shop at now unless I absolutely can’t find what I need, then I take the 2-hour trip to Lowes. I’m never going to step foot in Home Depot again.
I like your blog, following for over three years. I am 79 and just finished a whole house historic restoration on an Arts and Crafts KIT bungalow in an Historic District in Charleston WV. It is in a once terrific, but now transitioning , section of this city. I am working with community groups to make this area better even though my four kids in other states are saying, Move along MOM. I have been doing restoration work since the 60’s and even restored my riad in Essaouira Morocco while a senior volunteer with the Peace Corps. If you think Lowes is hard, try finding home improvement items in a garage sized hanout. I shopped 17 hanouts before I found a hand sander and had to mix paint with a cup and teaspoon. A cup for the glue like body and powdered pigments with a teaspoon. Best years of my life doing service for America!
Thanks for sharing the results with us Kristi. I was floored by the age demographic but it honestly explains SO MUCH about the comments on your posts.
Crikey. That Lowes place seems a nightmare.
As l am in England, l have never heard of them, but we have a couple of well known D. I. Y. stores that leave much to be desired.
It seems that common courtesy has gone out of the window, so l do feel your pain!
Grit your teeth, and keep up the good work.
I took the survey, thank you for sharing the results they were so interesting. I paused before sharing my age group, the 60’s, thinking I would be 1 of only a few. I was quite pleasantly surprised. I love your blog, you amaze me with some of the things you’ve come up with. I can relate to some of the issues at Lowe’s but my last two encounters was really impressive. The first one was for roofing and the man who waited on me was amazing. He went ‘above and beyond’ to help me. On Black Friday a few months ago I had ordered a new kitchen faucet online. At the store the girl who waited on me at first couldn’t find it but she looked & looked until she found it. She kept apologizing for taking so long and was so nice I really didn’t mind the wait. Ended up it was put in the wrong spot BUT she did find it, and I left the store still in a good mood.
Hi Kristi – I was on vacation last week, and missed your survey. Had to laugh, though, because I am right there in all the highest voting groups, except for income. In that one, my income is in the second-lowest $, but since our cost of living is so high here, I feel like it should count as the lowest one! Considering how much money you save on doing projects yourself, it’s a little sad that the lower incomes are not as well-represented. And now I sound like an old lady wagging her index finger at the “younger generation”! Anyway, I enjoy all of your posts! Aloha and thanks!
I just adore you
Love your blog just the way it is. I’ve read other blogs in the past where the blogger pretty much just posted photos from OTHER blogs to show examples of things – don’t get me wrong I like when you show the occasional example of what inspires you or you’re using as starting point or springboard, BUT when it’s just a post to show me pictures of orange couches, or what have you, I’m not all that interested. Maybe once every TWO weeks?
the hd v lowes experiences for everyone is so interesting. Here we like our Lowes so much better. Can’t get customer service or find half of anything we need at home depot. But it seems this must all depend on where you live and what location you have to use.