Design Trends I Do Not Support

Heyyyyy! We have dining room floors!

As we've been choosing finishes for our house, I've come across some pretty alarming trends. Trends I'd like to warn my people about before they think "Oh wallpaper is cool again! And taking it off isn't as bad as it used to be! I want to give that a try!" STOP NO STOP RIGHT NOW FOR THE LOVE OF GOD. 

Here is my short list of design felonies that I cannot now, and will not ever support. Pinterest can just shut up about all of these.

1. Patterned Tile

I know it looks fun and it seems like the perfect accent on a small bathroom floor or on a kitchen backsplash...but do you SWEAR you're going to love it forever? Or at least long enough that you won't be the one shelling out $1,000+ for something different in five years when you're tired of it? It's so pretty and Jo does it somewhere in every single episode this season on Fixer Upper...but I just can't support it. I want to, but I can't. Pick something neural and versatile and timeless where you thought you wanted patterned tile and I think you'll be more satisfied in the long-run.

2. Herringbone

This can be done well I think, and then it can also be done...not well. Skinny herringbones seem 'trendier' (so I've stayed far away) than a brick herringbone walkway or bigger tiles laid in a herringbone pattern in a entrance, mudroom, or bathroom...but I would also exercise caution using it in large, 'main' spaces because it's so intense. It's all the rage right now, but I just have this feeling that in five years everyone will look at their crazy zig-zag tile floors and think, "why." Again...pick something neutral, versatile and timeless...even though it's the safer more boring option...you can dress up the bones of your house with fun throw pillows and art...the floors/cupboards/countertops/doors/trim/walls don't need to scream "HEY WE'RE FUN!" at you.

3. "Hip" Wallpaper

I've come up with a rule that I firmly believe EVERYONE should adhere to before choosing to wallpaper ANYTHING EVER. If you are putting wallpaper on a wall, you should be the one removing it...always. No exceptions. I don't care if you're 90. If you put that wallpaper up in the 60's and thought it was the most beautiful thing ever, this rule for humankind means you're the one taking it down with your. bare. hands. I've seen SO MUCH wallpaper this season on Home Town and Fixer Upper, and quite honestly, it has Josh and cursing at our TV. Wallpapering the inside the backs of shelves? Backsplashes? The INSIDES OF MUDROOM LOCKERS?! I literally cannot think of WORSE places to try to remove wallpaper. Just burn the house down and start over.

4. Brass

Because fixtures and hardware are so expensive, I just can't support this trend either. It's a fun one, but metals have a way of cycling in and out of style and brass will be no different. I'm doing mostly brushed nickel throughout our new house (door knobs, ceiling fans, bathroom vanity) and oil rubbed bronze on the kitchen cupboards and a couple light fixtures. I think that breaks up the monotony of having EVERYTHING THE SAME, but also keeps some level of consistency throughout the house.

5. Orb Chandeliers

These are the prettiest. The absolute prettiest things I've ever seen. But they did not have orb chandeliers back when my farmhouse style was REAL...so I couldn't, in good conscience, choose one of these for our house. Now, that's not to say they're 'wrong' for everyone, just choose wisely based on the style and character of the home so the whole thing makes sense. There's a little glam here and there for us (see: bedroom chandelier) but it will be balanced with new and old, rustic and clean, antique and Target all the way though to tie things together. And I would really hate to spend $500 on something that will be totally out of style in 5 (or even 10!) years. Neutral, versatile, timeless...three key words for me right now!


Josh said something interesting to me the other day...he was talking about how many rugs we would need at the new house and where and I said, "I love that you're so excited to talk about decorating with me!" and he said, "It's not decorating, it's just function." BA! GOTCHA. If you NEED a rug for your house, and you go to the store and pick it...you are decorating. That is decorating whether you like it or not...whether you think you're 'good' at it or not. It's part of life! And it just so happens that this 'part of life' is my favorite. Take my advice or don't...but in 10 years I *might* be saying 'I told you so!' when you ask to borrow my wallpaper steamers to remove the wallpaper that you were just SURE would be the perfect feature wall. ;)

MmB