We live in a city where appearance seems to be very important.
People show their money by how they live. Moving "up" happens
a lot, and updating or remodeling homes, upgrading furniture,
and the latest decor designs seem to have high value.
It's easy to fall into that mindset. Our house does not have an "open plan."
(I rather like all the separate areas.) So should we tear down a wall to
make the house more sellable? (no, we won't, but those thoughts do come.)
Comfort, coziness and family heirlooms/history are high on my house values.
We stay with the old, the things we love, but the update question tempts us
because of the "brainwashing" we get from things like home
improvement shows, blogs, or magazines filled with sparkling homes ...
because of the "brainwashing" we get from things like home
improvement shows, blogs, or magazines filled with sparkling homes ...
I have to admit, I feel a sense of relief and comfort when I see homes of my peers that
aren't updated, that are filled with furniture from when they began "housekeeping,"
or beloved antiques or consignment purchases that are sturdy and speak
of being loved and used. They may cook on an old but perfectly functioning
stove, turn on, not tap on, their kitchen faucet, and seem happy and content
to be what they are.
It's something I ponder on occasion.
And then Eldest Son brings along a scrap piece of gorgeous granite.
What can we say? What can we do? In the artful act of balance,
a little updating comes our way.
stove, turn on, not tap on, their kitchen faucet, and seem happy and content
to be what they are.
It's something I ponder on occasion.
And then Eldest Son brings along a scrap piece of gorgeous granite.
What can we say? What can we do? In the artful act of balance,
a little updating comes our way.
Lovely granite but you still have a "turn on" faucet! Our kitchen still has the cabinets that were built, on site, to fit in 1921. There is a fresh coat of paint on them now. While I've admired open concepts in other's home, I want to be "wrapped" in the confines of the separate rooms of our old home.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
I am in agreement with you on this too. Do you think it's our age? :) Will the younger generations be the same way when they reach 'maturity' or will they still be changing it up all the time. I think we need to do upgrades, like your beautiful new vanity top, to keep things in good shape. Updated kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring are important for re-sale value. No doubt, a house that is 'outdated' will sell for less, then the property values will go down as someone buys it and doesn't take care of it. It's a tough decision really and somewhat depends on the neighbourhood values. I do like my old furnishings and antiques though. They speak of warmth and character to me. And yes, we are being brainwashed. Great post and lots to think about. Hugs. Pam
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly like you do when it comes to my home, Dotsie. If I could, I would furnish it with nothing but old family heirlooms...if I had enough. I love the pics of your lovely antiques too. I am certainly not one to keep with the Jones, for sure. BUT...I do love the look of granite countertops...and hey, yours was free, right? I don't blame you one bit...it looks fabulous! My "granite" countertops are painted on! I found a great product a few years ago called Giani GraniteCountertop Paint and it looks (almost) like the real thing! It has held up extremely well (since 2009) and I still one day do a post on it since I took pics from beginning to end :)
ReplyDeleteIf I were a buyer I'd prefer a lower price so I could do the changes myself! When we bought this house we saw it as our forever house, so any changes we've made have always been just for us. By the way, love the antiques AND the granite countertop!
ReplyDeleteYou put that piece of granite to good use. It is very rich in color. We have plenty of old and well-used but out-of-date things here too. I don't see why we have to always be updating just because the consumer gods say so . . . but you are right, it is hard sometimes to resist the constant bombardment. Anyway, your new counter is lovely, enjoy!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI hear what you're saying, Dotsie. It is nice to freshen things up around the house as a matter of up keep on the home, but to do it to keep up, with trends or the neighbors is not a good thing.
My kitchen needs some updating which will likely come in the form of painting cabinets and maybe a new sink - I've always wanted a farmhouse sink. I decorate and make our home to please us, and since we are not rolling in money, we do it bit by bit, thankful for what we have!
Your home is lovely, filled with treasures of memories and family! That's my kind of wealth anyway!
Deanna
The old with the new. A new granite counter top, but your old and beloved little knick knacks.
ReplyDeleteOh you're singing my song! (I am really getting tired of the Volkswagens, yet they must stay until an upgrade comes along.) I think you have a wonderful sense of style.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! When we put our home on the market a few years ago the realtor immediately said, "paint it this color, get stainless steel appliances, update, update, update." We didn't. We didn't sell, either, preferring to keep our home in spite of its quirks. It's the longest we've lived in any home (12 years, minus the two we spent in another town, but we kept this home.) Now the other home - that's a different story. We bought a fixer-upper - dark green worn carpet, garish paint colors, etc., but then we had the fun of fixing it up to suit our tastes.
ReplyDeleteThe home shows on television, the magazines, the ads all combine to do as you've said, brainwash. It's irksome to me to see a decorator walk into a home and make fun of the owner's style. Let's be content, let's make our homes personal, not cookie cutter decorator.
Oooh, that was a bit of a rant. Your piece of granite looks great! The cared-for wood furniture does too.
Oh yes I do agree with you! Our home is old, sturdy, and comfortable. When people visit, they always stay longer than they had planned. That seems like a compliment. The old, the study, the comfortable beat the new glitzy chic every time.
ReplyDeleteI do like that granite. We're ripping out carpet upstairs this summer and installing wood floors. Then we'll have wood or vinyl everywhere so that our little allergy-burdened grandson can come to visit.
The granite counter is lovely! I like to see how others decorate- it gives me ideas..which I hardly ever act on, but occasionally I do. Your home is lovely.
ReplyDeletePodso,
ReplyDeleteBe true to yourself, dear friend!!!
True happiness is what one makes of their life!
Fondly,
Pat
I love the comfort of "used" . I love finding pieces along the road and giving them a new lease on life.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Catherine
Sometimes just a little goes a long long way.
ReplyDeleteLooks great. Glad you are happy being you and not pretending to be someone you may not be.
To Thine Own Self Be True has truth for hundreds of years, yes?
This post got past me...but I want to pop in and say that I am right there with you! I love "house-y things" and I read several home design blogs and enjoy them. I love to do home projects too. But I treasure old things and individuality and expression in the home. Why would I want my home to look like everyone else's? A home should reflect the people who are in it...and the home atmosphere should reflect the One whom we serve!
ReplyDeleteI think what you have is just beautiful. We live in a very shabby chic if you can even call it that home and I do not hardly ever photograph it, it is that bad ;), however it is home and we are comfy. You have to be happy with what you are blessed with and not feel heavy hearted to have to keep up with anyone else for any reason..be who you are and I happen to like you!
ReplyDeleteI like the comfort of familiar things around me and any updates we've done in our home have not been major.
ReplyDeleteClearly I'm behind the times since I didn't even know there WERE tap on faucets, lol ! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Dotsie. The topic of 'upgrading' has, of course, been on my mind a lot because we are selling Pondside. I blame the home improvement shows for the comments like 'I couldn't live with that colour' etc. People don't seem to be able to look beyond a paint colour or a counter top. Like you, I like smaller, less open spaces. Cosier, somehow. We started looking at houses yesterday and I could care less about countertops and open plan - looking for a good solid house with a not-too-big garden.
ReplyDelete...........and I must add, that fireplaces are high on my list, and I often think of yours - did so yesterday when faced with a horrible fireplace.......remembered your fireplace transformation and knew I could do it too.
ReplyDeleteTimely post...thank you! I saw a post from a friend who updated/refurnished a room, and thought how beautiful...but then thought, there are too many other things that I want to do in the rest of my life besides updating my home. I love my furniture and memories. Just need to remember that!
ReplyDeleteOh Dotsie, I agree with you on so many levels here; you're singing to the choir with this post. We are indeed being brainwashed with all the HGTV shows, magazines, and especially BLOGS. I also am glad to see other homes in blogland that remind me of ours; i.e., not following every single trend that comes along and constantly taking on some big update and renovation. There are certain things that I would like to update in our home and certain things really NEED updating and repairing/replacing, but I'm not following trends in this case. I do believe we should maintain our homes and not let them get too outdated because it hurts our investment and makes the home less sellable when, and if, the time comes to do so. I could write a whole post myself on this subject -- so glad you did! I love your beautiful heirlooms and antiques in the pictures, and I firmly believe our homes should reflect who we are and not the flavor of the month in the design world. That being said, I love your granite countertop in your bathroom; it really is gorgeous. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day!
Hugs,
Denise