Mid Life Bold, by Lorie Sheffer, Guest blogger

Bold moves in Midlife
Bold moves in Midlife (photo: Lorie Sheffer)

Last week I was chatting with the gal who was mixing my paint at the home improvement store. She said that she’s noticed something rather interesting. It seems that the younger customers tend to buy more neutral colors, while middle aged and older customers buy bolder colors. We wondered if that is because the younger folks are thinking of selling their homes and the older ones are settled. Or is it because when we hit middle age we stop caring what others think and start to do what WE like, especially in our own homes?Last week I was chatting with the gal who was mixing my paint at the home improvement store. She said that she’s noticed something rather interesting. It seems that the younger customers tend to buy more neutral colors, while middle aged and older customers buy bolder colors. We wondered if that is because the younger folks are thinking of selling their homes and the older ones are settled. Or is it because when we hit middle age we stop caring what others think and start to do what WE like, especially in our own homes?

Last summer my husband and I finally demolished our “charmingly retro”  (outdated, ugly, Partridge Family/Brady Bunch) kitchen. As I was flipping through the paint color fan, looking for something that complimented the tile and granite, I fell in love with “Chinchilla”, which is purple. Not a screaming Grape Ape purple, but purple nonetheless. Our young kitchen designer loved what she called my “bold choice”. She seemed happily surprised that I chose something so unconventional. I’m not sure I would have done so even 10 years ago. But now? Who else am I trying to please in my own home but me? After last week’s paint department chat, I’m happy to say I’m not alone.

By jeff noel

Retired Disney Institute Keynote Speaker and Prolific Blogger. Five daily, differently-themed personal blogs (about life's 5 big choices) on five interconnected sites.