Wednesday, September 12, 2018
DIY Don'ts
Posted By Babs De Lay on September 12, 2018, 4:00 AM
The only posts I make on Instagram are of odd things I find when listing or showing properties. Most of the shots are of retro Barbie dream kitchens from the 1960s, plaid shag carpet or wall paper archeology. We live in a world of trends, where fast fashion and fast designs come and go in a heartbeat. I have no clue how anyone can keep up with all the social media, blogs, photos, videos and television dedicated completely to home décor trends. What I do know is that I see a lot of interiors in my line of work. To steal from the "Things That Must Go" segment on Radio From Hell on X96, here's my list:
•Bare bulbs and harsh light fixtures. If you see it hanging at Home Depot in the lighting aisle, it's already passé. Instead, invest in a classic chandelier.
•Dark wood and Italian-style décor. Tuscan tiles are meant for Italy—just ask my friend Michelle, who owns Tile for Less. She might start gagging at the thought of anyone replacing classic marble or hardwood for a dusty stone castle look.
•Wallpaper borders at the tops of walls or at chair level. No and no.
•Mad Men brought back the "Mid-Mod" phenom. The show went off the air three years ago, and as far as trends go, the avocado greens and harvest golds are again outdated.
•Antlers and mason jars. I'm not sure either item will go away as Utahns are avid hunters and home canners. Personally, I would gasp if someone threw a good Mason jar in the glass recycling, because I could store a batch of jam in it.
•Sponge-painted or stenciled walls. Sponge walls usually look like your friend's kids had a party in your home without your permission. Most people can't stencil straight or well enough to make repetitive designs look good. DIY don't.
•Dried flower arrangements and wreaths. It is bad feng shui to have dead plants in your living space. They get dusty and break apart as they age. Silk plants can look good in the right spot, but they also get dusty and faded.
•Cottage-cheese/popcorn ceilings. This spray on crap originally was made from asbestos. But in 1978 when asbestos was banned from inside homes, the manufacturers went to a paper or Styrofoam material. Oh, and sparkles cost more to add after the spraying was complete! If your ceiling is not asbestos, you can remove that crap by wetting it and scraping it clean. If it is asbestos (you can have it tested locally for cheap), you can legally remove it yourself. We are the only state left in the nation where a homeowner can do the job themselves (albeit if they abide by the disposal rules).
About The Author
Babs De Lay
A full-time broker/owner of Urban Utah Homes and Estates, Babs De Lay serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmark Commission. A writer and golfer, you'll find them working as a staff guardian at the Temple at Burning Man each year.
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