Fads and trends…
Fad: an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived and without basis in the object’s qualities; a craze.
Trend: a general direction in which something is developing or changing.
The first difference that jumps at me is “short-lived” versus “developing”. A fad only lasts for a short time. Developing, though, is progressive, moving towards (hopefully) improvements. The second difference that strikes out at me is a fad is very specific: leg warmers, lava lamps, etc. whereas a trend is a movement which will have stages or phases along the way: coloured appliances in the 1970’s, white, and then stainless steel. [I’m going to digress quickly here. I was shocked when I went to buy my new kitchen appliances. There are very few choices available in white. There were two white stoves, two dishwashers, and a few more in refrigerators. I found that particularly interesting. I, personally, really like stainless appliances. I recognized though, that stainless will not enhance my new kitchen - it’s a small area in which I’m trying to optimize space and bring brightness. The stainless finish would have made it feel closer, smaller, and definitely darkened the room.] Fads and trends are interesting in the decorating world. When I went looking for design or decorating examples I discovered the words are used interchangeably which I don’t think is correct. I’m not a bid fad follower. If I like something, whether it’s decor or fashion or whatever, I like it. I tend to like it for long periods of time. I’m interested in how things change and definitely my wardrobe now is not my wardrobe of the ‘80’s, for instance. However, there are still items that I remember from that time that I would still love (if they still fit!) and ultimately, I prefer “timeless” rather than fad-based. And I think “timeless” is something that is impacted by trends.
So, what am I getting at with this blog? My own style. Am I one who follows a fad or a trend? Sometimes, but it always comes down to what I like and what I can afford. The kitchen renovation has also meant one more thing: what I can get. The appliance issue was quite annoying. I’ve never had such a time finding something that I’ve always considered “guaranteed”. I never would have thought that something as basic as a white appliance would go “out of style”. So, this week, I’ve decided to talk about my style. [And, I’m trying out a different publishing day.] I have a friend who thinks style/design might be something I should consider for my next experience, adventure, job, time taker after retirement. My answer is always the same: I just choose what I like and I can’t imagine having to guide anyone else’s choices. If it turns out you like what I do, then great. If you don’t, well that sounds like work to me!
I like colour. In fact, I do not do beige or off white rooms. I am now laughing at myself as you would have seen the “white” kitchen I designed in my own house. The truth is, that the white has a fairly strong tint of mint green in it. I could never have put only white on those walls, no matter how much I wanted to brighten the room. I’ve been doing some reading lately and I occasionally take the time to watch some of the renovation shows on TV. I cannot define my style and I notice most of the TV hosts, definitely have a style of their own. I feel I am a “mix” of styles or views. The kitchen is borderline farmhouse but upscale. The quartz countertops will definitely highlight that feeling. The cabinet handles are classy rather than rustic. And the sink hits farmhouse; again without being rustic. A showpiece.
I have been particularly interested lately in articles about design/style trends. There was an article I read on the weekend that had a long list of trends (they used the word as though they meant “fads”) to avoid. I laughed out loud at how many I have either done or will do with this house. I find it interesting how often a choice I make is “wrong”, according to some “expert”. The copper sink that is a showpiece for me is one of those things to stay away from. Apparently copper is “out”. Oh, and farmhouse sinks, too. Guess I hit the double “wrong” on that one since my farmhouse sink IS copper!! Also, white kitchens, which is particularly funny to me. I’ve never been a white kitchen person before now. Now, my kitchen is not white on white on white but I have incorporated a lot of white and shades of white. Pink is also on the way out. Now, to be honest, I never knew it was “in”. I’m looking at incorporating pink in a new office plan. Neutrals are okay but apparently pale, pastel colours are not. Well, I’m all about the mint green in my kitchen. Spa-like bathrooms are a “no”, as well. I guess it’s supposed to be more functional now? And my favourite? Realtors will tell you to go with off white or beige-like colours on the walls. I love colour. Interestingly, the article mentions the cost and effort to repaint interior walls. I have always said that’s the least of a new home owner’s worry - paint is the easiest and least expensive way to make a house your own. You do not need a professional to do it - it’s one of those do it yourself ideas that, with the time and motivation, can be done on your own. Keep in mind, not using a professional can come with its own headaches. My last house had cathedral ceilings and would have been a pain for me to paint and to do a good job. So, I hired a painter and it was well worth the cost.
Having shared the “highlights” of the article, I want to share my own thoughts about the information provided. I will say this again and again - at the end of the day, I’m the person living in the house so it has to please me. However, having said that, I try to consider the future when designing and making decisions. In terms of design I use two guiding principals - what suits me for looks and how do I want to use the space?? A dark purple kitchen without storage, a single bar-sized sink, and a kitchen table in the middle would not work for me. Why? Well, as easy as it is to paint over the dark purple, the room would still be difficult to use efficiently. A tiny, single sink isn’t conducive to dish washing or cooking. No storage makes me wonder where I’m going to put my small appliances and my pantry items. A kitchen table in the center sounds great, as long as the room is available and you don’t need it for other uses, like storage or countertops. See what I mean? Form and function; both are equally important.
One of the most interesting things I’ve learned about myself in all of this is… I can change. I mean, I’ve always known I can change and certainly have changed a lot over the years. It’s natural as you age. The change that has surprised me is how willing I am to adjust my thinking as situations come up. The kitchen floor plan changed at least three times. The main floor washroom has shiny, sparkly elements - that has never been me and I love it. It’s perfect for the small size and the lack of windows and natural light. I have white in two rooms (kitchen and main floor washroom) and I’ve never been a big fan of white. The other surprise has been how uneasy I am with the chaos of the house. It doesn’t just make me uncomfortable, it’s causing an impact to my enjoyment of the process. To be honest, I think that comes from the pandemic environment we have around us. I’ve heard from so many people how “out of sorts” or irritable they become over what used to be small things. I understand. The kitchen is still a mess. [Even though I keep buying out shelf liner stock, I’m still short two rolls!!! Those are big cupboards! lol] Before this time I think going into the kitchen would have given me some satisfaction or enjoyment in the changes. Now, it kind of bugs me. Not everything is put away and the plywood countertops detract from my overall perception. Hopefully when the quartz arrives, I’ll be able to feel the excitement and embrace the improvements.
Anyway, that’s it for this blog. I’m still trying to find the right time/day to publish it. This one has been in production for a few days now. The pictures below are some random shots I’ve taken of the work around the property and house.
A combination of trench digging, excavation of the decommissioned septic system, and pool installation meant a lot of piles of dirt in the yard. I’ve been slowly working to fill in rough spots and spread out the remaining piles. The yard is still very messy, unfortunately. Looking forward to good “working weather” this coming weekend.
I’m all about organizing my kitchen to be an efficient workspace. Note the shelf liner (only two more rolls needed!). While the shelves are great right now, putting the liner (non-adhesive) down will keep them scuff-free.
On the left side are two shelves in one large cupboard: this is all about the appliances. The middle and right pictures are my large drawers for cookware. The bottom drawer holds the pots and pans and the top drawer holds the lighter items like cutting boards, cookie trays, and reusable containers.
The top picture are my new open shelves above a line of cupboards. The bottom shelf is from the original wall and the top two shelves come from the original pantry.
The bottom picture is one of my two kitchen windows. This one is beside the stove and looks out on the driveway - a perfect spot for herbs!