Rejecting Design Trends

Trends. In a media-saturated culture, they’re what we’re inundated with and live for in a brief moment in history … and often look back on with cringe-worthy shame years down the road.

There were the butterfly clips that dominated my middle school landscape. Those off-the-shoulder shirts I tried in high school that I couldn’t pull off because #broadshoulderlife. The caboodle I felt like I needed to hold all the make-up I didn’t actually own at 8 years old. The LulaRoe leggings that no one had the heart to say made my postpartum rear end look as big and distracting as one of those gaudy old motel signs.

Trends just haven’t been very kind to me.

Recently, I heard someone on a podcast assert that gray paint for walls “is so out.” And I got mad. Like, really mad.

Now, it could be that I’m just extra sensitive about this topic because of my enormously egotistical pride. I painted nearly every tongue-and-groove wall in my cottage gray when I was seven months pregnant and “nesting,” (see what the walls used to look like here) and it was the kind of experience I don’t fancy repeating.

Then, last week, Cottages and Bungalows Magazine featured an image from my cottage on their Instagram feed. It was a thrill to be featured, for others to recognize the loving care I pour into making this little cottage feel like home.

Plenty of people appreciated the image (1,600+ likes, 16 glowing comments). But of course, I had some people offer “constructive” feedback about my lack of trend-setting.

“I would switch the rug and seat cushions with something more colorful.”

“The room looks dreary and dated.”

“Looks like ‘On Golden Pond’…” (can I just say, this one was my favorite.)

The real reason that the statement about gray walls and the negative Instagram comments got to me is that both instances revealed a sadness I have about people’s motivation behind home decor. I reject the notion that our homes should look like everyone else’s home.

And by following “trends,” that’s exactly what happens.

My home is filled with things things that I love and treasure because it’s a unique reflection of who I am and with whom I share this home. I’m always looking to design my home based on functionality and what’s aesthetically pleasing, but that’s all in the eye of the beholder.

No, my cottage doesn’t look like anyone else’s home. And I’m ok with that.

Decorate with the things that you love. Do you want a hot pink accent wall? If that’s what gets you excited to enter a room, do it. If you love color and want to toss it around a room like confetti, then paint the rainbow, baby. I celebrate people who make design choices because it’s something they love. Places like Instagram and Pinterest are great for inspiration, but don’t use that those outlets as the means by which you measure your home.

Be concerned only with creating a place that’s warm and hospitable. The rest is all just preference. Have fun with your spaces!