I spend a lot of time talking about decorating ideas I like (basically anything grey) but I don’t often focus on design choices I DON’T like. Really at the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter what I like when it comes to decorating YOUR house. You have to live with it – I don’t. Still, if you ask, I will often try to discourage you from these:
SHINY WALLS: Decades ago, using a gloss or semi-gloss paint on the walls was the only way to get a washable finish in high traffic areas like the kitchen or hallway. Over the years, though, paint technology has advanced so much that today you can have a matte finish paint that’s even more durable and washable than the traditional gloss. Remember that shiny paints highlight wall imperfections which will make those stone walls seem EVEN MORE bumpy. Plus, it makes your home feel very industrial like the inside of a warehouse or the hospital. Instead choose a high quality ceramic paint like California Paint Ultra Ceramic Interior Waterbourne or Benjamin Moore Regal Select Eggshell. Both can be scrubbed clean (just ask Stefan about his two dogs and baby!) and will give your room a much softer look.
ANYTHING YELLOW: When we first bough our house, the exterior and interior were the same unattractive shade of yellow. Our first order of business was to paint the inside (you guessed it) grey. The exterior was a bigger job and we saved up for years until we could finally paint it a soft aqua. Yellow is a difficult colour to live with. It’s a high energy shade so it’s hard to relax in yellow rooms – especially if the colour is bold. New parents often gravitate towards yellow for a gender-neutral nursery but babies find it difficult to unwind. Shades of yellow we think will be sunny are often unbearable. Instead, if you’re looking to brighten up a space look for buttery creams. Or if you love yellow try using it in accents instead of wall paint.
OPEN CABINETS IN THE KITCHEN: Since we’re saving up for our dream kitchen I often scroll through Pinterest for inspiration. These days a lot of kitchens with open shelves pop up in my feed. Sure, it’s a great way to make small space feel bigger – if you can keep them neat and tidy. I am not that person. I can’t stand a mess and with open cabinets I would spend all night organizing the dinner plates (with a tape measure).
STERILE SPACES: I love resources like Houzz, Pinterest or design magazines for inspiration but often the rooms in those photographs look and feel very sterile. Where are the TV remotes (or the TV for that matter) on the coffee table or the coffee machine on the kitchen counter? Remember that a house is a HOME and it’s okay if the dining room chairs don’t match or if the picture frames are not perfectly arranged. As a matter of fact, the most interesting and stylish spaces are rarely perfect.
PLANTS/FLOWERS: I have yet to keep a plant alive for more than a couple of weeks. The last time my husband brought me flowers was 2002 – I killed them in less than 24 hours. They need routine watering, trimming and repotting and let’s not get into cleaning up the dried leaves and flower petals. Yes a fresh bouquet looks lovely in a photograph but in a couple of days it will end up in my trash.
Agree or disagree? Which design trend is your least favourite? Let me know in the comments!
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