7 Things That Make Your Home Look Dated?

I was browsing through the Huffington Post online when this article caught my eye: 7 Things That Make Your Home Look Dated. The article is written by Erin Gates who recently wrote a book on decorating called The Elements of Style. The article promises to help us avoid those "What Was I Thinking?" moments in the future.  I have LOTS of those, don't you?



Here's the list and my take on how my own home measures up.



1. The Backsplash Accent That Cuts the Walls in Half.

I could be so trendy if only I didn't actually use my kitchen for . . .  cooking!
 

Where would we store everything?

 

We inherited our kitchen backsplash when we bought our condo two years ago. I liked the simple white tiles ("not dated"); the accent tiles from Greek mythology not so much ("pretty weird"). But, there are only six of them and I've learned to live with them. So I guess my backsplash would only earn a C on the "Style Scale". 

2. The Throw Pillows That Set Pinterest on Fire.

Gates says that, "If the social network created a time capsule to chronicle its meteoric rise to fame in 2011, you better believe it would've included a pair of turquoise-and-white throw pillows. While the zigzag itself is timeless, its use -- and that particular color combination -- has been overdone."

This look probably has been overdone but chevron is timeless and I love turquoise.  My pillows are a similar style to the ones that are "out" but I made them and, since we live on the coast of Maine, I like the coastal feel. Think I'll keep them!



3. The Stylish Pouf That's Better Off as an Ottoman

I agree with Gates that, as cute as "poufs" are, they're not very comfortable for actual seating . . . too tipsy and low to the floor. At my age, I would probably slip right off after a couple glasses of wine!

For my reading corner, I've stuck with an ottoman so I guess I gat an A on this element!

4. The Cabinets Used in Almost Every Early 2000s Home Makeover Show.

Gates suggests that, "Maple and oak wood-stained cabinets (especially those with ornate, French-ish carvings) instantly age a kitchen" and recommends painting them black or white.



I see her point, but painting kitchen cabinets is a huge amount of work and, if you were to do it every time decorating trends changed, you might as well put your local painter on consignment. I remember when DH #1 I and had our first apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts back in 1970 (so young!), my teacher-friend Barbara and I spent hours after school each day painting all of the kitchen cabinets olive green . . .  to go with my harvest gold accents. I wonder how many times those cabinets have been painted since?  I like the simple off-white cabinets in our condo. I'll give them a "B+".

5. The All-Caps Word

Apparently Home Goods hasn't gotten the memo on this style "No No" yet. I was there with BFF Mary Elizabeth last week and there were huge metal words everywhere; many of them even lit up, marquee-style. "EAT" is even in the Spring Pottery Barn Catalog.

Photo courtesy of save-on-crafts.com

I wonder if single letters count? If so, I'm "dated".

It may be because I was an English major, but I love text, in all its forms. I love to read, I love to write, and I love to use letters and words for personal expression in decorating and crafts. Color me "partially dated".
 

 I have to admit, I am getting a little tired of these . . .

Too many, too much. 

Getting too corny?

 

6. The Pendant Light Fixture

Home Depot photo courtesy of Flicker.com

Instead of a pendant, Erin suggests a larger light, like this "Hick's pendant" .

(It's brass. I thought that was "out" too?) 

 

I don't have a pendant light but if I did, at $525.00 each "Hicks pendant", I think I might choose to stick with the "dated" ones from Home Depot.

7. Sleigh Beds

Erin calls sleigh beds "the Sleighs That Don't Come with Eight Reindeer" and feels they tend to swallow up a room.

photo courtesy of deflitched.com

She recommends a light, contemporary canopy-style bed instead. Here in New England, sleigh beds are still popular and the design has endured. I gave myself a "C" on #7 . . . our bed is traditional and has no canopy, but, thankfully, it's not quite big enough to hold eight reindeer!

In case you'd like to read more about "what's dated and not", here's a link to Erin's blog, The Elements of Style.

 

When I decorate my home, I do what makes me happy. I'm aware of trends and try to incorporate new elements when they appeal to me. But I also love quirky old things, and handmade things, that will never go out of style. If we all followed the rules all the time, wouldn't our homes all look alike?

 

That doesn't sound like much fun!

 

This post is being shared at:

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Party Junk at Funky Junk Interiors