Image WisteriaThese days it is hard to find anything unique to call your own when everything is so mainstream. Brooke, brought up a great point- now even antiques that were one of a kind are being mass reproduced. These pillows and the table below, once the work of artisans, lose what made them special to begin with now that they are coming straight from China.
Image WisteriaThe new Restoration Hardware catalog, while I loved everything about it because it is so close to my personal style, broke my heart a little because I knew this style would become a phase.
In this image from Pottery Barn I spy many things once considered "finds" but now available to everyone with a click of the mouse.
Image Pottery BarnI think really this is about 2 different issues I am having. The first issue is that sometimes it seems nothing is special anymore, anything considered cool is mass produced in China in the stores a month later. Don't get me wrong, I am happy that great design is available for everyone-myself included, that is I am happy until my antique store or Market find is the next cover of PB. The second issue, and really the idea behind this post, is what happens when something that defines your style becomes "in"?
Image HERERight now Gray is big, it is "the new brown". I love this because I love gray, always have. However, when Gray sees it way out the door to make room for the next "it" color, where does that leave me?
Image HEREI am pretty sure I will always love Gray and when it is out it will not matter to me. What about other styles I have long admired? Industrial for example...
Image HEREEven better, a very long time favorite of mine that Brooke mentioned as well, Belgium inspired interiors?
Image HEREFor me, I think certain styles will hold a special place in my heart long after they are no longer the "in" thing. I struggle more with specific items, for example certain fabrics. Take the Schumacher Chiang Mia Dragon, I love it, have since the first moment I saw it. Now that it is everywhere it is not that I don't love it every time I see it, I just don't know that I will ever personally use it. (who knows though because I really do love it and every time I see someone use it I smile)
So I want your opinions, I would love to hear your thoughts on this. If something you love becomes "in", when it is "out" do you have to stop loving it or become dated? What do you love that has become popular? How has that affected your feelings about the style or object? I know so many of you are feeling the same way, tell what conclusions you have come to!
20 comments:
Did you read the post last week on Things that Inspire? It's a great one!!! Brings up the same topic.
I think- go with what you like. I try not to worry about if something is trendy or not. You'll still be in style- even when gray fades out! :)
If you like it- use it. That sums it up for me.
And I, too, LOVED so many things in the new RH catalog.
I used to buy things because they were in, but then I just found myself with lots of trendy items and that drove me nuts. Now I just buy what I like and if it becomes a fad then hey, I guess I just have great taste :)
Surround yourself with things that you love regardless if they are in or out.
I say just stick to what you love! Who cares what's in or out!
If it's old, and you've always loved it, it's probably a classic that will transcend trends. My mother and I have loved/bought old, large bread bowls for years - now, PB has them as one of their "found" items. I'm tucking mine away for awhile, but someday, know my original will regain my favor.
There are some trendy things, though, that I love so much, I don't care if I look like a wanna be - like Imperial Trellis. I just used it on some chinese chippendale chairs because 1) I truly love the pattern 2) I thought it complemented the style of the chair and 3) I think it has transcended the status of trend. If it hasn't oh well!
Good post!!
Hi Marianne...
Just wanted to say that I love your blog. You have a great eye for beauitful interior design. I share that love for design with you and we also share the same likes and dislikes. Your page has been thoughtful and inspirational! I too agree with your post today. So much mass production...I think it's important for those to take one of these items and define it for themselves in their space (not copy the picture). Add their vision of what they believe defines who they are...their uniqueness.
It's so hard to keep up...I agree with everyone, if you love it, then keep it. But, I understand your concerns. I think the color gray is like black and white and in my opinion it can't really go out of style. Certain fabrics I think can lose their excitement when everyone has used them though.
I'm sure I have something in my house right now that is very not "in" :)
you know, i always do feel a little "argg" when i see something i thought of as personally mine or unique or "found" become mainstream, but in a way it's also a good thing because it makes the things accessible to everyone. (remember with RH?? haha)
my husband & i have started making a joke out of it & it does make things better because then you can feel more like a "trend predtictor" rather than just sad that something that felt so special to you is now mainstream.
i love the things i love because they're what they are... not necessarliy because they're unique. it's hard to be unique because when you are, you will just get copied. But to me, that's no reason to stop trying.... because there are trendsetters and there are trend followers. both are okay to be...
it's why i think we really have to asses what we "love"... do we love it because it's unique or because we really love it? if we really love it (the way you are with gray) then i think we can be okay when the trend is over & we still have that thing. I don't think we should feel like it's "out" now.
when people bring up the avocado-green colored things of 60s & 70s, i have to say that I still love them! it's out now but it will all be back one day...
great post.
(and sorry for the long comment- eesh!!)
xoxo
This is kind of difficult!
I've found that my tastes have changed over the years. There are some things that I just "loved" some years ago that aren't really my thing now. I'm not sure if that's because I'm honing in on my true style and what makes me comfortable, or if I was following (or am following) trends, OR if my tastes just changed and that's normal!! I've been wondering myself if some of the things that I like, do I like them because they're trendy or do I like them more because they're not??
What I've kind of decided is that it's okay to have a couple trendy pieces if you love them. And that if there's something that you truly love, but it's not in style, that's okay too. I think it all relies on the mix that you have. If you exactly replicate a look from a magazine or an ad, then yes, in a matter of years you'll probably feel out of date. But, if you use the pieces with what you have (like somebody else said), or if you put your own spin on a "look", then I think you'll be happier for a longer period of time. And of course, there are some things that are just timeless!
But that's just my 2 cents... coming from a girl who seems to change out her sofa pillows at least twice a year!!
Thanks for the comment on my blog!
I think that if something is vintage of antique, and you love it, it will always be "in", no matter who remakes it. It's not the items in your home that make it special, it's how you put it together. The old, antique pieces with patina, age and whispered stories will always be classics, in my eyes, and reproduction pieces, no matter how well made, can ever replace those.
Even when colors change, you can update your interior {like your warderobe} with a few well chosen new elements or colors.
My thoughts - Who cares if something is "in" "out" or just "so last year". I just want my home to reflect who I am and my personal style. Even if you do follow a certain look- your personal touch makes it unique to you. That is what really makes a house a home.
I just like what I like until I don't like it anymore. I read deer heads were out last week. OUT!? I thought, how? I don't care. I like it and most people think I'm crazy for hanging a deer in my living room in the first place.
Its funny you wrote on this. I was at Crate and Barrel for mom yesterday and I saw these dark wooden bowls on prominent display. They were so similar to the old salad bowl mom and dad always use/d. I found it funny because at one time not to long ago, those seemed so outdated, and now they're back.
Or maybe I just thought they went outdated. I'm not exactly what you would call an expert
Hi Marianne-
Paloma at La Dolce Vita blog brought up the point of Pottery Barn mass producing found objects. Making them readily available to all. It takes the fun of finding one of a kind flea market finds. I buy what I love and insist my clients love their choices even when I create a room for them it must be what they know they will love to live with. Mass production of vintage finds does ruin the concept. At the same time- Just love what you love no matter if someone says its in or out!
xx-
Michelle
I feel the same way you do! It's hard for designers especially because I don't feel like anything I do is unique. But the question really comes down to- What CAN we do??
Nothing, right? We can't stop Pottery Barn from copying Restoration from copying BoBo's Intriguing Objects. And we can't pretend to NOT like the styles that are in just because they are mainstream. So we just keep on loving GRAY until we, too, move onto something else. Stick with what we love!! But really, I'm glad to know that someone else struggles with this as well!
I too love gray and love that it's big again. I have to say gray was the new black before brown became the new black (10 years ago). That's when my love began. I even named my youngest son Grayson.
Glad Blueprint Bliss mentioned the Things That Inspire post because that's just what I was thinking. There are some things that I love- and it's great that they're in because I can see lots of examples. However, I'd prefer they not be too in as I don't want them to be totally OUT. Plus, as much as I like to think it'd be fun to maintain all the trends, I would probably go crazy. And broke. :-)
I does make something a little less special when you see it everywhere...just keep following your heart and use what you love.
Janell
I know just how you feel! When I was in the ninth grade I really wanted a denim jacket for some reason. I got one for my birthday and the first day I wore it to school I distinctly remember some stupid boy asked me "where'd you get your jacket? the EIGHTIES??" I was slightly mortified but I still loved it. By the time I graduated from high school, denim jackets were everywhere (again) and I also remember that the girl that guy was dating wore one EVERYDAY. But, I couldn't bring myself to wear mine as much. Now I really want a white one ...
Anyway. Now I have the same kinds of feelings about my house. In college I got really into pale blue, and now that I have a house to paint, pale blue/green is EVERYWHERE. At first I kind of hated to use it, but I do still love it. And I definitely think that we (you, me, designers, bloggers especially) are seriously overexposed. But does everyone who actually steps foot in my house know that seagrass and blue/green are all over the place? Definitely not. So, I'm with Brooke, do what you like!
Fun discussion!
I JUST read this- so comments may not be of value anymore, but my opinion is "so what"...just like fashion, simply because someone puts on a pair of skinny jeans or shoe-booties, doesn't mean it will look the same on you, nor will it necessarily look right if not worn properly or matched with the right outfit.
Additionally- your friends, family and company have likely already seen your 'pre-fame' taste and style and credit you for boosting items to popularity...when everyone else's grey room looks old and dated, yours will still look tasty and classic because it is done for you, not to mimic any look other than that.
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