In the newspaper awhile
ago, I saw an article titled: “Seven Ways to Update Your Décor”. And I said to
myself, “Why on earth would I want to ‘update’ my décor?”
It makes sense to update
things like computers and cell phones and smoke detectors—newer models are
likely to have improved functioning. The same can’t generally be said for the
latest thing in flooring or countertops or furniture. Mushroom-colored walls
work about as well as walls that are off-white or hyacinth blue. So why
“update” your interior?
The implied contrast is a
“dated” look. Think of a room with wood paneling, a burnt-orange shag carpet, macrame
plant hangers, … do I need to say more? Dated.
But why is it “dated”? Because at one time—I think it was in the
seventies?--everyone had wood paneling
and orange shag. This also explains why “dated” is a negative word. Like a song
that gets played too many times on the radio (ooh—a dated simile, too!), the
sheer overexposure burned people out on it.
Therein lies the problem.
If you “update” your old flooring and counters to something that is currently
popular, then in ten years (or less), your current choices will look “dated.”
They will be “so terribly 2017”. So you’ll feel a need to “update” yet again.
Your décor should please you, the person who has to live with it.
Admittedly, as a person living at a certain point in history, what pleases you
is likely to have some similarity to what pleases other people at that point in
history. Maybe your group is all madly into Dr. Who, or Game of Thrones, or a
certain rustic look, or whatever. Okay,
take advantage of the availability of blue time-box prints and heraldic signs
if you want. Understand that some of your tastes will change over time, and so
will some of the things you surround yourself with. Maybe you really like light
gray paint, or ice blue. If so, this may be a good year to get out the brushes.
But don’t change your décor
simply because it’s fallen out of fashion. If you’re planning to sell your
house in the very near future, that’s another story. Then you aren’t doing it for yourself
at all. But otherwise, why step onto the “update” treadmill in the first place?
Updating can also be a way of maintaining a home. Even paint starts to wear out after several decades. It can be difficult to maintain to original specs because things change. Like touching up 1920s indoor paint won't be the same because they don't sell lead paint anymore and latex doesn't look or act the same way. Torn or faded wallpaper patterns may no longer exist. Same thing with threadbare draperies, etc.
ReplyDeletePersonal taste may also change. Maybe you'll realize that sunset sierra is just a fancy way to say pink and you're not so fond of pink anymore.