@bookworm, we have the large mirror over double sinks. Apparently my kids prefer that because they all come into my bathroom; they can’t stand the smaller mirrors over the sinks in their bathroom. My bathroom is in need of updating, and I’ve considered the more trendy look of individual mirrors, but decided that I’ll still have a large mirror as it really is more functional.
We recently re-did the lighting in our master bath. I wanted to get rid of the over-the-mirror vanity lights to resolve the bad shadowing they produce. We installed daylight-bright overheard can lights down the entire width of the ceiling. Then, we purchased hotel-supply LED mirrors like these:
I love them–no lights to dust, low profile, and zero shadowing. When these and the overheads are on, the room is bright with even light. I can finally see myself properly to do hair and makeup, and I look the same outside as I do in the bathroom. The only drawback is they don’t make me look any younger.
I have wall mirrors on the top half of the bathroom wall that has the sinks in both my bathrooms. I did this when I remodeled each of them and I love them. It makes my very small baths look bigger, reflects lots of light so makes them brighter, and you can stand anywhere in the room and comb your hair etc. not just over the sink.
@ChoatieMom - I like our old large bathroom mirrors… but the fixtures not so much. I like the mirror/light in link… do you ever have to change bulbs or anything?
If people want to update their home (and can afford it), they should all means do it. My feeling is if they love what they have (and it is in good shape), who cares about current trends.
Our kitchen house was built in 1993, and I did tired of the brass kitchen lighting. It seemed pretty and different when we picked it… but then we saw it everywhere. About 10 or 12 years ago we swapped out for black/white fixtures (also got a black fridge). It made ALL the difference! Perhaps I’ve dragged my feet long enough on remodel that I can talk hubby out of granite - he likes it a lot more than I ever did.
Not sure what the replacement process is; that will be someone else’s job when the time comes, but they are rated for 50,000 hours of use so no time soon, I hope. The mirrors lift easily off the wall, so the lighting mechanism is accessible for repair or replacement if/when necessary.
I’m in agreement with some posters and not others regarding decorating.
Sometimes you go with trends because that’s what’s available. I wonder if the owners who bought our early '90’s house appreciate the warm gray tub et al in the master bath. We were ahead of the times with that. When we redid our 1987 current house we chose beige over gray for a change. Perhaps it will be in when we sell. Mathmom- the house was PINK- mauve carpet, blush laminate kitchen counters and cabinets, wallpaper…and I could see where white paint covered some pink walls. Other houses in the development built around the same time had peach, gray or other laminates.
I think the whites and grays popular now are often too cold- like warm colors for cabinets. But our walls are mostly blues, greens and beige (antique white- who knew how dark some whites could be). That next owner can paint.
I regret not spending the extra money (we were spending a lot) removing popcorn ceilings but H didn’t want to bother- the next owner gets to. We renovated- saving what we could. That large master bath mirror went back up (new, higher counters) because H wanted it, sigh.
We own one “oriental” rug. It is the one thing I have told son he should keep as it is from India and inlaws brought it new for us. It includes local mythological designs and has meaning for his heritage. I’m not in favor of most oriental rugs, especially the faded/red look.
Like lighter wood so never had dark trim or floors. White trim fits our Tampa home but I love the honey colors of up north/NW. We chose the same honey color for new cabinets- it happens to match the original family room beams and mantel and some of our contemporary side tables.
Changed out old door knobs- went with nickel levers. Also did that color for bath fixtures and the two chandeliers. The next owner can go with whatever is in style or theit taste when the time comes.
Chose granite with a nicer pattern than the low end around eight years ago- debated and realtor said it did not matter in this market. So many different floor and counter choices not around then- but not redoing things! Quartz is now so much better without that speckled look I hate.
Regarding windows. Got rid of valences in old and new houses. Use horizontal blinds in those rooms (bed/bath) where light but variable privacy desired during the day. Used honeycomb shades- cordless for backside facing windows and doors. These work well for sliding doors. Hung from the ceiling with a panel for each door section (one of ours- this is FL- has three sections). Easy to raise one or all and they fit above the glass when fully raised. Did not choose in the glass ones with new windows because if there are ever problems with them it would be expensive- plus they don’t give the same coverage. I find it worth needing to bend and reach to raise/lower the blinds than to have cords in view. Bought Springs shades- good quality- from Lowes when on sale. Would NEVER “puddle” drapes, find that distasteful.
My mantra is “the next owner” for things we didn’t bother to update or like that are not fashionable (now/then/whenever). It wasn’t worth the extra thousands to us. This market area will sell with the expectation new owners make changes. I recall replacing my tired blue kitchen Formica with a neutral one in the old house partly because I figured any granite I chose then might not be a new owner’s taste and so much more expensive.
Oops- above meant hanging the honeycomb shades from the top/inset ceiling- as opposed to on the door frames. Covers all woodwork. Be careful with measurements- do at top, middle and floor like they say to because they do differ. With multiple window panels when I did the measurements (had a pro for free first nine) with less room than called for so I had less gap but they still fit. There are standard allowances for frame sides but different with multiple side by side window/door panels.
That surprises me as live plants are very popular among people in their 20s, tail end of millennials plus some not that I buy into these attempts at artificial constructs based on age.
I was just looking at a home listing and thought of this thread - how about 12x12 Inch tiles of wood floors? (Is that called parquet?) I think of that as very dated.
The same house had valances on the windows.
Where do full wall office setups fall - in or out? I’ve “liked” them, but have never been willing to spend the money on one. I figured about the time I did it, they would be considered “out.” Normally I may not care, but we are thinking we’ll move in about 3 years, so we are considering that in our choices.
enjoying reading this thread; read through that list on post #17.
a few thoughts: those tuscan kitchens all the rage a few years ago now do look dated. But wow - it would be really really pricey to change it all out! its not one thing - but everything. my friend’s house (suburban McMansion) is so nice; but I don’t even know where I’d start to update. . glad I never got into that trend to begin with!
I sort of like the “dusty pastels” look from years ago. It reminds me of my college years and how I got a sewing machine and started making coordinating house accents.
we replaced our shades in the kitchen with see-through roller shades. love them.
I have “honey oak” trim all over; 20 yrs old, not quality. I want to paint all of my trim. maybe I’ll do that before my kid graduates. could be a project! I’m sick of it. that’s reason enough to change.
@1214mom The parquet floors that we saw while house hunting last year fell into two categories - the stately elegant floors in the 100+ year old historic homes vs the cheap imitation floors from the '60s. You can guess which looked beautiful and which needed to be ripped out.
In terms of office built ins, I feel the same way as the parquet floors. Done well, it can be beautiful in an office. If you need the room to be able to be multipurpose, then it can be a problem for re-sale.
I’m not sure if this link will work, but if you scroll down to the fifth picture (Give Variations a Canvas):
https://www.bhg.com/kitchen/styles/traditional/tuscan-kitchen-decor/
minus the potrack and those barstools, this is what Tuscan looks like today, in our area anyway. I do agree that the picture below it (Simply Tuscan) is tired.
Interesting. I think the first couple of photos in choatie’s link look updated but I would call the last few dated.
I think dark/gold/terra cotta/potracks are dated, but the white and creamy versions, especially the floor tile in that fifth picture is very popular in new houses here.
I still stand by all the 20’s and early 30’s in our families loving houseplants. In Columbus where my girls live there are some small locally owned shops just for houseplants that are so fun to walk through. My kids are constantly refreshing houseplants.
Regarding office built ins. My thought is that offices in general these days need less “paper stuff” - file cabinets, drawers all the things that hold paper - because we keep so much more electronically. And to me more storage or shelves sometimes means more room we think we have to fill up with stuff. I personally prefer the look of a simple desk with maybe one furniture console to store “stuff”. Put a couple of storage bins in a closet for the stuff you don’t need regularly. I’d rather save room in an office for a comfy chair to sit at as an alternative to laptop on a desk than wall storage.
I say no to office built ins…and well as desks in the kitchen. We have one of those and we plan to turn it into a sort of sideboard/buffet with cabinets and drawers below and cabinets above. It will be a nice place to put some of the dishes, servicing pieces and kitchen table linens.
We don’t need a desk there…never use it anymore. Just collects “stuff”.
When we built the house, that kitchen desk was where our “family” computer was and where our kids often did homework…but now with total wireless in the house…it’s just not needed. Plus we have an extra bedroom as a home office, and another office space in our finished lower level.
Those wall units…had a lot of shelves also. I personally am getting rid of “stuff” that was formerly on them. We don’t store music CDs anymore, or books. And the Knick Knacks need to go.
Agreed about the kitchen desks. I had then in my last two houses but avoided one in this house. Now that everyone has laptops, there didn’t need to be a central computer place right in the middle of my kitchen. I do still have a desk but it’s tucked away in a nook in the family room.
That said, I love the old houses with formal libraries where all four walls have built in book shelves.
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Never went with the kitchen desk. Didn’t get the concept. But liking clean surfaces, I wouldn’t want all my office stuff hanging out in the kitchen. The one junk drawer is enough. Paperwork goes elsewhere out of sight of visitors.
On the Tuscan Kitchen thing - I’ve been in plenty of kitchens in Tuscany. None of them ever looked like that design trend.
@ChoatieMom - some of those new tuscan kitchens are gorgeous in that link! wow!