Hello you beautiful people! It’s Olivia Smith from Viona Space, where I’m typically droning on about decorating the house for the better, skipping the floor cleaning, or trying to get Luna the cat away from my freshly laundered cushions. Over the last few days, I was searching the internet for some of the over-the-top design trends you find everywhere – you know the type that is exceptionally beautiful in a picture but would make your life miserable if you endured them for any period of time. Turns out, there a few that professional “proper” design people would avoid like the plague for their own homes – not because they are rubbish, but because they are such a pain. I’ve gathered six of them and added my own Yorkshire grit and silly stories from my home. So, put the kettle on as we say in Yorkshire, it is time to have a look!
Diner Aesthetic Black and White Kitchens
Classic black and white kitchens white cabinets all nice, black counters all gloomy – looks stunning, doesn’t it? Like something out of a TV Show. But come on, white isn’t easy, is it? It shows every stain and tea spill as if it is screaming at you for attention. Black is no better, dust becomes its best friend, and when you let it, that color transforms a cozy kitchen into nothing. People say a light beige or a sneaky pale green are more helpful.I would be in shambles with white. I spilt gravy once and almost lost my mind trying to clean it. Black would be Luna’s dream—furry heaven. Honestly, I would prefer a filthy brown because it conceals my chaos, and still looks presentable.
Open Shelving in Kitchen
Open shelving—your pots and mugs sat there all smug like a shop window. Dead pretty in a photo, but in my house? A total shambles. You’re faffing about daily to stop it looking like a tip—dust piles up, and if you’ve got more mugs than sense like me, it’s a riot. Word is, shove some cupboards in – hide the rubbish and flash the good stuff. I gave it a go once, thinking I’d be all posh. What a joke — two weeks in, it was a dusty heap of cracked cups and some manky old herbs. Cupboards are my best mate now — chuck it in, shut it, done!
Wallpaper in a Full Bathroom
Wallpaper’s all the rage — slap up a loud pattern, and your room’s got a bit of soul, no bother. But in a proper bathroom? Nah, the clever lot say it’s a washout. Steam and splashes turn it into a soggy rag — peeling edges and a whiff of damp. Stick it in a dry bog, maybe. I’ve seen posh waterproof stuff, but it’s a right palaver to stick up.I was once quite daft while trying to nab a flowery job for my loo, Tom simply snorted, “It will be pulp by sunset!” He’s bang on – Every bath does panic me I will be fretting. No panic when Luna’s sloshing about The tiles do make me feel solid as owt.
Lacquered Floors
Designers like their spaces to shine, but some fear that their floors will be too shiny.I understand the appeal of striking lacquered floors—for example, a black and beige striped entryway,” says Rotem Eylor, CEO and founder of Republic Floors. “But while I admire their impact, I would never choose this style for my own home.”Sometimes these patterns can be too busy for a small space and even clash with other design choices. The constant maintenance required to keep the floor in top condition is also a deciding factor for some designers.State-making floors make a statement, but sometimes less is more when you live with them every day,” says Eylor.
Mirrored Walls
Love it or hate it, mirrored walls are making a comeback. While some designers rave about how light reflects off mirrors and makes a room appear much larger than it is, Gilby disagrees on the basics.Fingerprints alone are a turn-off! It’s not an option for my house,” she says.If you have children, you might think otherwise, unless you love the aesthetic of small handprints on the walls. And if you’re going for more of an illusion of space, opt for small mirrors, strategically placed out of reach of little ones.
Small Tiles or Mosaics
Sometimes, designers have a love-hate relationship with certain elements of home design. Small tiles or mosaics are certainly that for Gilby. An intricate tile installation can look fantastic, but only in the hands of an experienced professional.They are often a challenge for contractors who aren’t tile specialists, and without that attention to detail, the results can be disappointing,” say angilina.If you hate scrubbing grout, you’ll also want to avoid mosaic tiles; the smaller the tiles, the more grout is needed, and the more maintenance is required to maintain the look.While it easier to replace a broken tile in a mosaic, I would personally avoid it in my own home unless I wanted to have endless conversations with the builder, her says.
