We’ve all been there—browsing a store, scrolling online, or wandering through a flea market when suddenly, you spot IT! Doesn’t matter if it’s the exact item you’ve been searching for, or an unexpected treasure. In that moment, you feel a little ‘tingle’. You know the one— it starts in your fingertips, spreads to your soul and brings a smile to your face. It’s the all-to-familiar sensation of making a good find.
Anyone who enjoys interior design knows this sensation all too well. Amateur & professional alike, we spend so much more time planning and sourcing than we do actually hands-on decorating. In fact, “Professional Shopper” is another title designers wear proudly! Purposeful decorating is all about the hunt for the perfect decor for our clients. By the time we actually get to decorating day, there have been weeks or months of preparation and it’s time to finally put the cherry on the “decorating” sundae.
With over 20 years of experience “finding”, I’ve given it some thought. And here are some ideas I have about why a good find makes us feel the way it does:
The Thrill of Discovery
At its core, this “tingle” is the thrill of discovery. When you stumble upon a hidden gem—whether it’s the exact color of throw pillows you’ve needed, a unique piece of furniture for a lackluster corner, or that perfect pair of candlesticks for your dining room tablescape—it taps into our innate sense of adventure. We’re wired to seek out novelty, and finding something special lights up the reward centers in our brains. It’s a small, personal victory—a sense that you’ve uncovered something only a few might see the value in.
A Sense of Accomplishment
Part of the joy of a good find comes from the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made a smart choice. There’s a difference between mindless consumption and carefully selecting something that truly adds value to your life. When you make that connection with an object, you feel a sense of accomplishment. Whether it’s a well-researched purchase or a spur-of-the-moment discovery, the feeling that you’ve found something “just right” is deeply gratifying.
The Story Behind the Find
Often, the things we find and cherish have stories behind them—either because of where we found them, or the journey that led us to them. The perfect item can evoke memories of a sunny afternoon spent shopping with a friend, a great deal at your favorite boutique or even hours of scouring the internet for that must-have piece. That tingle we feel is also a response to the story unfolding around our discovery, the layers of meaning we attach to the find.
The Joy of Serendipity
Perhaps the most delightful part of the tingle is the element of serendipity. Sometimes, the best finds happen when you least expect them. You might not have been searching for anything specific, but there it is, waiting for you to claim it. These little moments of chance remind us that life is full of surprises, and sometimes the Universe gives us exactly what we didn’t know we even needed.
Why the Tingle Matters
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded by options and choices, the tingle is a reminder to slow down and appreciate the process of discovery. It’s about savoring those small, serendipitous moments when the right thing finds us at the right time. Whether it’s an item for your home, a piece of art, or a perfect gift for a friend, the tingle isn’t just about the object itself—it’s about the feeling of connection, accomplishment, and joy.
So the next time you feel that little spark, take a moment to appreciate it. The magic of a good find goes beyond the material—it’s a reminder of the joy in discovery, the satisfaction of making something your own, and the serendipity that makes life just a little more exciting.
Speaking of “good finds”, I’m often asked how I find such good “stuff”. For the reasons explained above and then some, it’s a mixture of purpose, tenacity and a measure of pure luck. “Thoughts become things, choose good ones!” a dear friend always says. Focusing your energy on anything is going to give it purpose and clarity and likely reveal things you might have been overlooking which were right under your nose.
Again, who doesn’t love a good find? Over the years, I’ve found a lot of them for my clients and so I thought it might be fun to share them with fans. And that’s where it starts!
I’m excited to introduce a new, influencer-style blog category I’m calling, “Jeff’s Favorite Finds“! My goal is to regularly share some of my favorite discoveries with you. Nothing is off limits. From perfect to perhaps perfectly awful, I’ll offer you a glimpse into things that strike a cord with me and give me that special tingle when I’m shopping for our clients.
I hope you’ll check back often, share with your friends and chime in with your own finds! Let’s have some fun with it and share the joy a good find gives us all. Let the hunt begin!!!
