Back in the day when my dad(of blessed memory) said he was going to the hardware store, he really was going to a hardware store, meaning a store with the creaky hardwood floors, aisles filled with nuts and bolts, screwdrivers hanging on the walls and a nice variety of saws. They were usually a family owned business, had a few employees, and you were in and out real quick!
Now today if you mention you are going to the hardware store, here is what you are really saying..."I am going to the...garden store, the florist shop, the paint store, the bird feeder store, the lumber yard, the kitchen remolding store, the bathroom remolding store, the appliance store, the carpet and rug store, the barbecue and grill store, the lighting and fan store...and this list could keep on going and guess what...I LOVE IT!!! Who would have believed today what a hardware store could and can do for us!!!
How the "concept" of a hardware store has changed over the years is totally amazing, impressive and awesome to me. The bigger they build 'em the better they are. Just from my experience and point of view regarding decorating my new condo...we did it ourselves with a little help for the hardware store. I'm talking about appliances, kitchen hardware, back splash tiles and area rug just for starters! It is all there for you!!!
And yesterday I visited the garden center and of course headed to the sale rack of perennials, they had the $5 dollar cart, the $3 cart and the $1 cart and for $6 bucks I got some great flowers that will give me years and years of floral beauty.
And here is the interesting part...I enjoy browsing the shelf's, racks and aisles. I will even venture down to the lumber section because I could get inspired with some decorating idea...you just never know!!! All the paint colors, carpet selections, yard art and pottery make you feel like this is a decorators dream and heavenly spot. And on the way out you can even buy a magazine and a candy bar...does the good karma here ever end???
On my recommendation, if you need a place to clear your head, or just to "loose" yourself for an hour, or hopefully get inspired, head to the closest main street in your town and drive up to the biggest hardware store you can find. Trust me, your head will be swimming with ideas about planting gardens, redoing kitchens or building fences and that is just within the first 10 minutes.
Dear Lowe's and Home Depot... I hope you have enjoyed my tribute to each of you. Your stores have been my salvation the past six months. A quick fix and an energy boost come easy to me while in the midst of your walls. Don't ever change your variety of items, the friendliness of your employees or your tolerance of customers just roaming around. And if you do decide to make changes...please have your corporate offices check with me first!!!
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