To the Max

I've heard that, when it comes to making decisions, there are two types of people: Maximizers and Optimizers. I think about this a lot because we are renovating and that constitutes a gajillion decisions, most of which put your relationship to the ultimate test. But that's a post for another day.

Now that we have finished our concrete floors we have this huge blank canvas on which to put the entirety of a West Elm catalog carefully though-out investment pieces. By the way, let me digress for a moment and say that there is nothing like having a new, beautiful floor to make all your furniture look like total crap.

So we have been doing a lot of (mostly online) shopping and so now is the perfect time to explain this maximizer/optimizer thing.

MAXIMIZERS:
These are the decision makers who go out looking for, say, a sofa. They analyze exactly what they want and need-- size, color, fabric, style, price-- and then go look at a few sofas. They find one that seems pretty perfect but then proceed to go look at ALL THE SOFAS, everywhere, throughout the whole world. Then they eventually, and almost reluctantly, go buy the pretty perfect sofa and feel great about the decision after second- and third-guessing the choice.

OPTIMIZERS:
Sometimes referred to as "Satisficers" (a mix of satisfy and suffice), these are the decision makers who go out looking for a sofa and find a sofa they kind of like, in their price range and buy it immediately without ever giving it a second thought. Simple as that.

If you haven't met us, Nathan and I are both maximizers. Like, to the max. You wouldn't even believe the multitude of hours we have spent in the Home Depot agonizing over the stupidest things.

I snapped this picture of Nate the other day, nearly comatose, online shopping. We have finally decided, after five years of living here and thinking about this, which light pendants will replace the purple stained glass ones in our living room sanctuary. Here, he is tediously looking at all the lights. After we have already decided. Just to make sure we really like those the most, and that we get the absolute best deal. I rarely give him any crap about this sort of thing because I am the same way. I totally get it.

Now we are on the hunt for the most perfect sofa. If you have found one you love and can make recommendations, comment and let me know. In the meantime, if you need us you can find us looking at all the sofas.