Controversial Interior Opinions
Dare I share?! I will, but these are my opinions, my taste, just like you may not like the flavour vinegar on your chips. I actually don't really like vinegar on my chips. My opinions shouldn't be taken as THE way, but I will try to explain why I don't like these interior trends/behaviours, and offer alternatives.
Coffee Table Books
Kicking off gently with one you may have heard me talk about before on social media. I LOVE books, I rarely go a week without buying or borrowing a book, I'm an avid reader and the escapism authors offer to me is so important. The talent and continued commitment towards an end goal is something I admire, often taking many years to publish, it's inspirational to stay so dedicated. Therefore, this growing concept of jumping on Amazon and checking out on a book to display on a coffee table grinds my gears. Perhaps it's grown from hotels sharing with guests wonderful non-fiction to dip into when staying within their sanctuary. However, not so attractive is to be dusted each week and never touched (other than maybe to rest on when writing the shopping list). Maybe there's a defence to be made if said coffee table sees a lot of visitors, who may pick up a book instead of chatting with their host.
Why not try:
A family photo album, which could be personally made as a beautiful hardback book.
Your existing recipe books
A nice notebook to jot down your thoughts and plans.
2. Dark Bathrooms
I didn't realise I had such a strong opinion on this until a Renovation Room member asked me to help her decide on dark v light recently. It’s become quite popular to go bold and dark in a bathroom and it wouldn’t wash for me. Typically the first place to navigate when half asleep and in need of a gentle rousing to wakefulness, for me, a dark bathroom would be cosy which is not what I need at 5:30am. Browsing the bathrooms of a very talented bathroom designer, and great friend, Lynsey Rowe, I can see her designs have a bright and airy feel to them.
Why not try:
Balancing light and dark, perhaps light half height tiles and a dark wall paint, or one dark tiled wall behind a vanity and the rest to remain light.
Embracing the dark side in a downstairs/secondary loo.
3. Milking Stools
Whilst thinking about showers, it reminded me of a time when milking stools were put in them. I hope you’ve seen what I mean, I’m so perplexed I can’t explain why or how this one happened. Other than someone maybe needed to prop their leg higher for shaving, that must be it?
Why not try:
Just having a shower in your shower.
If you do need a seat of a useful height, have one built in and tiled. BEAUTIFUL!
4. Beads
I’m back to coffee tables, which all over the world are being decorated with oversized beads, which are easily picked up in high street homeware stores. I believe inspiration is taken from religious prayer beads which are traditionally used by those who follow the Islam faith to keep count while saying the prayer. Did you know the beautiful symbolism of using prayer beads is to represent faith and peace and bring luck into the home? Perhaps if this was communicated more, and they were used with this intention I would feel differently, but I see them being used solely as a decorative object, with little consideration given to their history and cherished meaning. A little like how I feel about books and more respect should be shown.
Why not try:
Adding intentionally chosen prayer beads, perhaps they will be helpful for meditation if you don’t pray.
Include decorative items collected from holidays and significant events.
Craft something to add your own stories and history to your home.
5. Chopping Cushions
Those who know me well, know I am not a fan of a chopped cushion. I suppose this one is like marmite, you either do or you don’t. For me when I see a chopped cushion, this is where across the top seam the cushion has had a karate chop experience to make a deep V, my second image is a pigs’ trotter. It doesn’t matter how nice the fabric, how filled with feathers it is, or how beautiful the rest of the interiors are…it’s just a hoof. While we’re here I’m also firmly in the camp of having feather filled cushions (I understand for allergies that’s not brilliant so in that case try microfibre), and sizing up on the pad for example if the cover is 18” x 18” choose a 20” x 20” filler.
Why not try:
A light squeeze from the sides.
I have a few more up my sleeve, but this isn’t a process like ripping off a plaster, so I’ll save those and make sure there’s someone still out there…
As I said at the beginning, these are my opinions and hopefully I’ve helped you decide how to chop your cushions and decorate parts of your home. If you’d like some help with any interior related dilemma I would love to help you make your own decisions through the Renovation Room monthly membership.