Finally - somebody who tells the truth about the expensive trends that are so often pushed in the media. It’s quite rare for designers to think of practicality and cost instead of just appearance of a home, so I appreciate your honesty.
My wife adds: Your comments about interior fads and trends are spot on. If a person lives long enough, they have seen so many fads come and go and realize how impractical and short-lived they are. For younger people who are contemplating embracing a fad, try to think of the consequences of investing money in a design that will be hard to live with in the future.
@chasamboy I'm reminded of the god-awful bright-gold brass everything from the '80s, which I couldn't stand even when it was trendy. Nothing looks tackier, yet places like American Furniture Warehouse still sell that hideous junk to this day.
This video made me feel good about all the practical choices that we made in our home. Especially getting rid of umpteen pillows on the bed. It might not look picture perfect but leaves us with a lot more precious time in the mornings on our hands. Basically, we stopped caring about what our guests will think and prioritized our time and resources more.
I spent a month on holiday in an all white home. I found my depth perception was altered. I fell up the stairs, bashed my elbow, and pinched my finger in their door. I found that colour adds depth and context needed to navigate the space safely.
All of us have done things like that in colorful houses as well. Have you perhaps ingested alcohol or other types of fun substances to make you a bit more clumsy, as it was you being on vacation?
You are amazing. The most Professional, common sense, to the point venue. As an Architect, I see almost every interior designer using all the trends of the day... then in 3-5 years, their designs are dated and actually need to be reconstructed. 5 years ago they were using all gold cabinet handles and fixtures. now these expensive trends look old and dated. Great job Reynard!
On the subject of open shelving, I agree that for most people, closed shelving is probably best. If you have ADHD, however, and need to reduce the amount of friction it takes to do basic household tasks as much as possible, having open shelves can help with productivity & relieve anxiety in the long run. Being able to see where everything is at a glance is so important for conditions like ADHD.
I'm really glad you brought up the grey laminate, I see it a lot in the cheaply remodeled houses I've been looking at lately and it never matches the space its in, and if it does it still manages to look cheap.
Open kitchen shelves - yes, I really want to give myself extra work by taking down everything on it constantly to wash off the greasy dust. Thank you for addressing practicality since we don't live in model homes.
Love this guy’s calm voice. He’s spot on about open shelving in place of upper cabinets. The fact that so many people are following that trend is proof of how suggestible people are.
Unless you live with elderlies who can’t reach beyond first level without a foot stool. I installed a long open shelf for my mother. It is safe and convenient for her to get plates and bowls.
Rather than trendy, I prefer 'cheap and cheerful'. Something I can bang around day-to-day and either repair or replace. Laminate countertops, linoleum flooring, one-piece shower surrounds, and real wood that can be sanded and touched up. If it can't be maintained with simple soap and water, I don't want it.
I fully agree with most of your choices in both videos! These trendy designs may look great in a photo, but many of them will not age well and are maintenance nightmares. They provide job security for professional housecleaners. ;-) One item not yet mentioned is grouted tile floors in kitchens or a grouted backsplash behind a kitchen stove. If not sealed regularly, the grout will soak up grease and grime and is hard to keep clean.
I don’t have upper cabinet in my kitchen except a 6’ long open shelf (away from cooktop) for plates and bowls. I cover them with tea towels. It is for my 85 year old mother’s convenience and safety. She can reach for melamine wares (for her safety and ease of handling) easily without stool. I picked dark charcoal color quartz countertop and regretted it. It does show dust easily.
Thank you!! We do lead busy lives and have clutter to hide!! The minimalist trend drives me bonkers whenever we are looking at homes for sale. Makes sense that builders are doing this for cost reasons. But in this hyperinflated housing market, it)s just plain rude! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
We brought and renovated an older house rather than a newer one for this reason. Cupboards, linen closet, laundry drawers. Built in waredrobes Etc. We have stuff others don't need to see but we need to store.
The previous owner of my 30yo apartment installed grey laminate floors. I immediately changed them to oak coloured and it’s the best decision I’ve made.
I'm currently figuring out how to decorate my flat and I am amazed how many impractical solutions are there and that they are so popular. It looks like a lot of people have problem with foreseeing some broader consequences of their choices. They must concentrate on the looks.
Open kitchens: Great loss/more heading required, aroma spreads through the house, fat residue deposits on your furniture, you need to maintain a spotless kitchen for guests /visuals. Layered ceilings to place LED lights : dust/fat deposits. Windows in the roof, they may block possibility for solar panel placement.
Never understood why you would put any decorative pillows on a bed. Who wants to place them back on the bed at 7am before work and then find somewhere to put them before you go to sleep?
Right? They're always against a wall, and I've always wondered how in the world people clean behind them! This is the first time I've ever heard that mentioned in a video.
Not only are free-standing tubs difficult to clean behind, they often give you noplace to put soap, shampoo, etc. And claw-foot tubs also are difficult to clean beneath. They went out of fashion 100 tears ago, and for very good reasons.
I have a freestanding tub in a shower room and don’t really have issues with cleaning. I made sure that there was enough clearance all the way around the tub to clean, which I’m pretty sure most people didn’t think of when sizing the tub. I could have gone with a size larger, but wanted to make sure that someone could get to the back of the tub for cleaning and access to the connections for the tub faucet.
They always look so pretty in a picture, but my practical side has always resisted. I don't use my tub for bathing but rather for showering, so I'm not a big bathtub person. But if I'm going to have one, I need to be able to sit on the side for those times when I need to wash or warm up my feet or shave my legs. Also, I need to be able to wash my dog off if he gets into something. Those free-standing ones don't look too comfortable for sitting on the side. If I were doing a reno, I'd skip the tub and treat myself to a luxurious shower.
It's like you were reading my mind on all of these trends. One thing I would add is the open kitchen/family room concept. In my next house I want pocket doors to contain messes, odors and secret midnight snack runs and conversations.
@@rjgaynor8 With open concept it is difficult to regulate heating/cooling. If you are heating one room you end up heating them all. This gets costly and even worse if you have vaulted ceilings. It is impossible to contain cooking odours no matter how good of a fan you have....plus the sound of the fan will be audible elsewhere. It is also impossible to contain noise so the kids watching a video need earphones, and the other person on their laptop doing a Zoom also needs headphones and no one wants to hear the sound of your mix master in your 'open' kitchen. More people are working from home and a defined PRIVATE space is worth gold. I live alone now (a senior) and have had 2 open concept homes when married and hosted many guests. I LOVE my small condo with separate rooms for kitchen, laundry, bathroom, living room and bedroom and I LOVE closing those doors!!
@@l.5832 I have absolutely none of the problems you listed. It’s really funny how y’all come up with this stuff. Having a well insulated house with a high efficiency central heating/cooling system is all you need to keep your bill low no matter the design. I don’t understand the problem with cooking odors. The kids have a playroom and we have a separate den. The main room of the house has a living room, dining room, kitchen and ‘entry hall’ all in one and it makes moving around our large house very easy. My wife and I entertain a lot so having a very large open area is great for entertaining.
You are the best, truly. I mean that sincerely. I appreciate your kindness, deep knowledge, tone & voice, and how you show images to assist in the viewers understanding. Thank you for the excellent and very informative information in such a clear and concise delivery.
Agree wholeheartedly on the word signs. Can’t put my finger on why I dislike them. I just know I do. Right now, words are on many articles of clothing as well. Which also makes no sense. Love your channel! Thanks!
I've had quartz counters in my kitchen (style similar to marble) ... for about 8 years ... and they remain virtually PERFECT. I would definitely recommend them.
Reynard, your videos are such an inspiration to me. I really appreciate your work. Your presentation style is clear, concise, and CALM and reminds me it's okay to slow down in life and not rush through information. It's a lesson I know well with my ASMR videos, but have a hard time applying to my other channel's educational videos. There's so much pressure to pack all info into a super short video, but IMO, sometimes it's best to take your time to present the info in the best way. Thank you!
Me and my wife are great admirer of your design concepts. I will be getting my house next year and if by any chance you can design our house it will be a great help.... If not then we will be using your videos as benchmark to design as best to our abilities...... Love from India
I love your videos. Your voice is so soothing and even though English is not my first language, I can understand without subtitles. I do sometimes feel attacked when I see my decorative choices in your list of "bad decisions" 😅.
Open shelf is pretty rare in my county Japan because of earthquakes. Also, I don’t want any insects such as fly, spider, roach touch my dishes and glasses.
My husband works for a custome home builder. He has seen so many of these design trends go into the homes they are working on. Usually these ideas are coming from either the interior designer or the architect.
A really nice option in the kitchen is to use one piece of gorgeous natural material in a place where guests will be up close, but where you aren't doing prep work. Then, in the work areas, use similar looking, but less expensive and more durable surfaces. I saw this done once and it was very effective. The impression guests got was that the whole kitchen was done in the high end material, when in fact, only the bar top between the kitchen and the living/dining area was.
I don't have any signs but I always loved Mary Tyler Moores big "M" on her wall so I also have my initial on my wall that moves from home to home with me. (I also liked Laverne's "L" on her clothes from Laverne and Shirley. Yes, I'm a Boomer)
Yes! I can't stand it. It always looks fake because natural wood flooring is never going to be grey, and it always looks cold! And if you try to warm it up with warm colors on the wall or wooden furniture, everything just clashes with the grey.
@@JamieM470You can’t mix it with ton-sur-ton colors? Like a darker grey, sand color or brown instead of the always used white. I have a sand color wood flooring, matt brown-grey kitchen cabinets, a sand-grey counter top and a light grey coated aluminum backsplash (no dirty grout between tiles). It all looks amazing. I do have one open shelf above the sink. It is true, it is a dust magnet, but it looks nice.
@@RealConstructor But your flooring is sand-colored, so your place probably does look amazing! If you meant sand-grey floor, like your counter, that's still a lot better (warmer!) than cool grey. I'm even ok with a soft grey on walls. It's when the entire floor is cool grey, for me it makes the whole room look cold, no matter what you do. You can play with it on one of those paint or decorating programs. You can make a beautiful room with tan or brown flooring, then when you change the flooring to cool grey the room suddenly looks cold and sterile, and no colors look good with that floor. It's weird. Maybe it's just me.
I remember cleaning for a family when they renovated and they had the tap too high above their bench top bathroom sink. It splashed over the mirror no matter how gently I was.
-We don’t use any decorative pillows on the bed at all. They are completely impractical and a tripping hazard at night. - personally hate word signs. - being a minimalist is great, but having to drag out my coffee maker everyday is nuts. The blender is also very heavy.
You say that bed cushions are a tripping hazard at night. Does this mean (as I suspected) that there is nowhere to put them except throw them on the floor? I've asked but got no answer. I don't know anyone that has them. Do some people have a piece of furniture for them to go on? Very curious.
Mr. Lowell is absolutely rights about all the trends mentioned, especially my pet peeve: open shelving in the kitchen. Anyone who actually cooks knows that open shelving is a disaster. The combination of steam and grease, inevitable in a working kitchen, creates a magnate for dust that can't simply be Swiffered away. It takes constant work to keep the shelves (and what's on them) clean. In my opinion, once you start thinking about the kitchen as a place to "curate" your displays, you're no longer living in your house, you're "staging" it.
The condo we're currently renting has beautiful black granite countertops in the kitchen, which everyone who sees them admires. But they are a PITA to keep clean! They show every streak and fingerprint, which drives my ocd side nuts. It literally takes at least *five* rounds of cleaning to get the grease and other smears wiped away. Our future house will have some kind of white or off-white matte countertops that are easy to clean and don't stain (hopefully). Black countertops seem a good idea until you have to live with them daily.
Excellent video! New sub. Thank you for specifying “extreme” minimalism. I’m a cozy minimalist, and bring warmth to my home by painting the walls warm, soothing colors, custom framed artwork (large pieces), and silk flower arrangements (my hobby). The result is a home that feels comfortable and inviting, but is easy to maintain.
Glass doors on kitchen cabinets are as impractical as open shelving. The glass attracts grease and fingerprints which can be difficult to maintain AND you have to constantly curate what's inside the cabinets to keep your kitchen looking "styled". What do you do with the cereal boxes, bags of pasta, canned goods and the like?
Although I agree that glass cabinet doors in kitchens can be impractical, they are very helpful in rental vacation homes! The Florida house that I rent in the winter has glass cabinet doors, and they save me a lot of time looking for things.
I think he was comparing glass-door cabinetry to open shelving. Such cabinetry would definitely be easier to maintain than an open shelf, but I think I'm with you, close the door, hide any clutter.
The key is not using glass (or open shelving) everywhere. I have a long wall of cabinets that are a very dark wood stain. I have two sections that break up the wall of dark: the vent hood (which is black stainless but has white subway tile around it), and a cabinet with glass doors with a really nice etched pattern on it so it's not just clear glass. That was the perfect amount of space to showcase the nice dishes I do have and show some color, but hide all the clutter and non-matching ugly stuff. The pattern makes it so I don't even notice fingerprints (if there are any, we usually use the pulls on the cabinet, not touching the glass), and it's far enough from the stove there isn't any grease problem. Keeping the styling in the cabinet isn't an issue, as each dish type has it's own place and that's the only place it fits, so the only time it took to style, was the initial setup. All of my food goes into a corner pantry that has a solid door that closes. And yes, when I remodeled (thanks to a burst pipe behind my old cabinets), so many people told me to get open shelves and white cabinets. To which I said, "Hell no." I have kids so I avoid white for the most part (although white appliances are easier to keep nice looking than stainless), and I have cats, so open shelves would have been an invitation for them to hang out in my kitchen. The only open shelves I have is a very small section between two cabinets over my built-in entertainment cabinets, done expressly to have a small styled area, but hide everything else (the entire upper section used to be ugly open shelves/bookcase type look that became cluttered with stuff). Again, moderation is key when using these design elements, I feel. The space above these cabinets would look boring without a few open shelves, and doors hide everything else. I also have a freestanding tub put into my master bath. It's just far enough away from the walls I can swiffer around it for cleaning. It was really my only choice, due to the builders making the area this awkward space that was 3/4" shy of standard tub sizes, and there's a wall and a window so it would have either involved redoing the window and wall (and the outside brick) and been $$$$, looking very awkward having a tub an inch past the architecture cut off point where a wall started, or find a tub short enough to fit into the space, which the freestanding tub did. I did fully tile around the walls in that area and did a waterfall on the nearest vanity to prevent any damage from water. I had issues with the giant builder grade corner tub getting water all over the vanities it touched before as it was designed for both vanities to bookend the tub edges.
On the open shelf system in kitchens. The ones in magazines are often very tall/high up and I cannot see how it's practical. Either for reaching items or cleaning. However, some people with mobility issues or disabilities may prefer an open shelf style kitchen as the doors themselves are the hassle or they need to be able to see their items. There are all kinds so lets be kind.
I have the grey laminate since new. I love it, but had it installed mainly due to the fact we have two huskies and it can hide scratches and marks. Once I no longer have dogs living here, I hope to replace the laminate to a floating wood floor.
Here in Korea all white interiors and extreme minimalism are very popular. I get why, because apartments here are quite small so people don't want their homes to feel stuffy or cramped. But they often look very clinical and bland to me. We just renovated our first apartment and I made sure to incorporate warmth and color, so it looks like a HOME and not a hospital.
I can't believe you put a thumbs down to that counter top @ 3:07. I like it. To each his own but just because something was 'so last year' we really need to be less wasteful. That countertop will go with most things and is quite functional.
I know this is not a real estate channel but a design one but I have a question. My husband and I didn't see eye to eye on this topic: I want to get rid of the bathtub/shower and just make a shower stall, he said this was the only tub in the house and if the house didn't have a single tub, it could be lowering the house value. Family with little children would want a tub. Is that still true?
Hard to avoid, but black electronics present the same dust-collecting problem as black floors. At least they’re not as bulky as they used to be. Good video.
minimalist style suits ppl who live a minimalist lifestyle and don't own many belongings to create clutter. I've been raving on about exactly everything you said about the open shelves every time I see them anywhere
Current and last place we've lived (renting) have the grey flooring. Initial reaction to last place was "Okay but I hate the flooring." But at least you get used to it.
Very sensible advice. I have often thought the same. Life happens. Homes cannot be maintained like the pages of a glossy magazine. Thanks for the upload.
Ive been a countertop fabricator for 21years. Working with all manner of natural stone and man made products like quartz and porcelain. Your section on countertop choices was actually pretty perfect.... Almost noone on 'your side' (design) talks about the heat draw backs of quartz countertops. Also should mention all quartz countertops use a resin base. Resin is NOT a longevity material, doesnt play well with heat or UV. USE A GOOD QUALITY QUARTZ PEOPLE! Your fabricator cannot do anything to "save" your cheep quartz when it turns in a few years. Use a recognized brand. Lots of stone importers & wholesalers have a kinda house brand that is low quartz % per square foot cheep material. We can't "fix" bad quartz like we can a real stone. Oh and porcelain isnt full bodied so you need to figure out something with the edge and even with a mitre when you ease the sharpness off the edge it takes the design away (exposing the porcelain under the design orint) and looks like someone drew over all your edges with a paint marker.
"Design Trends That Look Good But Are Impractical" I was wondering if you would list the one I immediately thought of. TV's hung above a fireplace mantel. The TV is too high and looks squished into a regular height ceiling.
Finally - somebody who tells the truth about the expensive trends that are so often pushed in the media. It’s quite rare for designers to think of practicality and cost instead of just appearance of a home, so I appreciate your honesty.
My wife adds: Your comments about interior fads and trends are spot on. If a person lives long enough, they have seen so many fads come and go and realize how impractical and short-lived they are. For younger people who are contemplating embracing a fad, try to think of the consequences of investing money in a design that will be hard to live with in the future.
@chasamboy I'm reminded of the god-awful bright-gold brass everything from the '80s, which I couldn't stand even when it was trendy. Nothing looks tackier, yet places like American Furniture Warehouse still sell that hideous junk to this day.
I enjoy your calm (non judgmental) summary of trends to reconsider and the presentation of alternatives
I love this channel. Such great information presented in a non-clickbaity way. Great job!
Thank you for pointing out the cleaning aspects of design and how hard they can be to clean. More people needs to know this.
This video made me feel good about all the practical choices that we made in our home. Especially getting rid of umpteen pillows on the bed. It might not look picture perfect but leaves us with a lot more precious time in the mornings on our hands. Basically, we stopped caring about what our guests will think and prioritized our time and resources more.
u could still have 50 pillows if u use miniature ones / pin cushions
I spent a month on holiday in an all white home. I found my depth perception was altered. I fell up the stairs, bashed my elbow, and pinched my finger in their door. I found that colour adds depth and context needed to navigate the space safely.
Interesting point. I guess it's kind of like snow-blindness...which is not a good effect to strive for lol.
All of us have done things like that in colorful houses as well. Have you perhaps ingested alcohol or other types of fun substances to make you a bit more clumsy, as it was you being on vacation?
Interesting that you say that. Those rooms he was showing also lacked a certain depth. Jamie compares it to snow blindness which makes sense.
Interesting to note!
I agree, it just looks weird to me.
Finally, someone calling out open kitchen shelving! Maybe it works for people who hire other people to do the dusting??? Great video.
Can you please also do a video on design elements that you consider to be timeless?
Agree, that _does_ sound interesting.
video about walls, floor and ceiling yay
I love this guy , very clear and best advices, focuses on trend timelessness and practicality altogether
You are amazing. The most Professional, common sense, to the point venue. As an Architect, I see almost every interior designer using all the trends of the day... then in 3-5 years, their designs are dated and actually need to be reconstructed. 5 years ago they were using all gold cabinet handles and fixtures. now these expensive trends look old and dated. Great job Reynard!
So glad someone is telling the truth about expensive but impractical trends :) great video
the green tiles in that DeVOL Kitchen shown was so beautiful with so many shades of green! handmade treasures!
On the subject of open shelving, I agree that for most people, closed shelving is probably best.
If you have ADHD, however, and need to reduce the amount of friction it takes to do basic household tasks as much as possible, having open shelves can help with productivity & relieve anxiety in the long run. Being able to see where everything is at a glance is so important for conditions like ADHD.
This is the best decor video on TH-cam!
I'm really glad you brought up the grey laminate, I see it a lot in the cheaply remodeled houses I've been looking at lately and it never matches the space its in, and if it does it still manages to look cheap.
Open kitchen shelves - yes, I really want to give myself extra work by taking down everything on it constantly to wash off the greasy dust. Thank you for addressing practicality since we don't live in model homes.
Love this guy’s calm voice. He’s spot on about open shelving in place of upper cabinets. The fact that so many people are following that trend is proof of how suggestible people are.
Unless you live with elderlies who can’t reach beyond first level without a foot stool. I installed a long open shelf for my mother. It is safe and convenient for her to get plates and bowls.
I have open shelving and haven’t had any issues with dust. I’ve had them for 2 years and have dusted them maybe once.
Rather than trendy, I prefer 'cheap and cheerful'. Something I can bang around day-to-day and either repair or replace. Laminate countertops, linoleum flooring, one-piece shower surrounds, and real wood that can be sanded and touched up. If it can't be maintained with simple soap and water, I don't want it.
I fully agree with most of your choices in both videos! These trendy designs may look great in a photo, but many of them will not age well and are maintenance nightmares. They provide job security for professional housecleaners. ;-)
One item not yet mentioned is grouted tile floors in kitchens or a grouted backsplash behind a kitchen stove. If not sealed regularly, the grout will soak up grease and grime and is hard to keep clean.
Except marble tops - or probably depends on the marble - I have used them 10 years and they do not have stains.
I don’t have upper cabinet in my kitchen except a 6’ long open shelf (away from cooktop) for plates and bowls. I cover them with tea towels. It is for my 85 year old mother’s convenience and safety. She can reach for melamine wares (for her safety and ease of handling) easily without stool. I picked dark charcoal color quartz countertop and regretted it. It does show dust easily.
Oh my god the word signs. It immediately makes the space feel like a cheap airbnb
Haha😂😂 yes
They must copy this from each other.
I am so with you on vessel sinks, freestanding tubs, and excessive pillows. They are so impractical.
Thank you!! We do lead busy lives and have clutter to hide!! The minimalist trend drives me bonkers whenever we are looking at homes for sale. Makes sense that builders are doing this for cost reasons. But in this hyperinflated housing market, it)s just plain rude! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
We brought and renovated an older house rather than a newer one for this reason. Cupboards, linen closet, laundry drawers. Built in waredrobes Etc. We have stuff others don't need to see but we need to store.
The previous owner of my 30yo apartment installed grey laminate floors. I immediately changed them to oak coloured and it’s the best decision I’ve made.
I'm currently figuring out how to decorate my flat and I am amazed how many impractical solutions are there and that they are so popular. It looks like a lot of people have problem with foreseeing some broader consequences of their choices. They must concentrate on the looks.
Quartzite is the best material for countertops. Heat ,cut and stain resistant. Looks like marble but it’s a natural stone.
Open kitchens: Great loss/more heading required, aroma spreads through the house, fat residue deposits on your furniture, you need to maintain a spotless kitchen for guests /visuals. Layered ceilings to place LED lights : dust/fat deposits. Windows in the roof, they may block possibility for solar panel placement.
I love how he gently drags the "live laugh love" signs to the mud. I stan.
Never understood why you would put any decorative pillows on a bed. Who wants to place them back on the bed at 7am before work and then find somewhere to put them before you go to sleep?
I have been WAITING for someone to talk about free standing baths!! I couldnt firgure out how people are cleaning them.
I think the folks who have freestanding tubs are the folks who can afford a cleaner, so they don't have to clean it themselves
Right? They're always against a wall, and I've always wondered how in the world people clean behind them! This is the first time I've ever heard that mentioned in a video.
Not only are free-standing tubs difficult to clean behind, they often give you noplace to put soap, shampoo, etc. And claw-foot tubs also are difficult to clean beneath. They went out of fashion 100 tears ago, and for very good reasons.
I have a freestanding tub in a shower room and don’t really have issues with cleaning. I made sure that there was enough clearance all the way around the tub to clean, which I’m pretty sure most people didn’t think of when sizing the tub. I could have gone with a size larger, but wanted to make sure that someone could get to the back of the tub for cleaning and access to the connections for the tub faucet.
They always look so pretty in a picture, but my practical side has always resisted. I don't use my tub for bathing but rather for showering, so I'm not a big bathtub person. But if I'm going to have one, I need to be able to sit on the side for those times when I need to wash or warm up my feet or shave my legs. Also, I need to be able to wash my dog off if he gets into something. Those free-standing ones don't look too comfortable for sitting on the side. If I were doing a reno, I'd skip the tub and treat myself to a luxurious shower.
It's like you were reading my mind on all of these trends. One thing I would add is the open kitchen/family room concept. In my next house I want pocket doors to contain messes, odors and secret midnight snack runs and conversations.
Funny. I have a 1960’s home with closed off spaces and there is nothing I’d like more than to have a few huge walls knocked out!
@@notme3252 Yes but with double pocket doors I would have the choice of leaving them open when I wanted to and closed when I cooked salmon.
I have lived with open concept my entire life. Never had any of those issues. Maybe just keep your kitchen clean and organized.
@@rjgaynor8 With open concept it is difficult to regulate heating/cooling. If you are heating one room you end up heating them all. This gets costly and even worse if you have vaulted ceilings. It is impossible to contain cooking odours no matter how good of a fan you have....plus the sound of the fan will be audible elsewhere. It is also impossible to contain noise so the kids watching a video need earphones, and the other person on their laptop doing a Zoom also needs headphones and no one wants to hear the sound of your mix master in your 'open' kitchen. More people are working from home and a defined PRIVATE space is worth gold. I live alone now (a senior) and have had 2 open concept homes when married and hosted many guests. I LOVE my small condo with separate rooms for kitchen, laundry, bathroom, living room and bedroom and I LOVE closing those doors!!
@@l.5832 I have absolutely none of the problems you listed. It’s really funny how y’all come up with this stuff. Having a well insulated house with a high efficiency central heating/cooling system is all you need to keep your bill low no matter the design. I don’t understand the problem with cooking odors. The kids have a playroom and we have a separate den. The main room of the house has a living room, dining room, kitchen and ‘entry hall’ all in one and it makes moving around our large house very easy. My wife and I entertain a lot so having a very large open area is great for entertaining.
Thanks. With respect, a regular swifter mop are fantastic for both showers and freestanding tubs. Cheers.
You are the best, truly. I mean that sincerely. I appreciate your kindness, deep knowledge, tone & voice, and how you show images to assist in the viewers understanding. Thank you for the excellent and very informative information in such a clear and concise delivery.
Whatever you had said is true... and really appreciate your unpatronising manner!
Agree wholeheartedly on the word signs. Can’t put my finger on why I dislike them. I just know I do.
Right now, words are on many articles of clothing as well. Which also makes no sense. Love your channel! Thanks!
very good advises! love how you think about the cleaning issues!
Quartz is sooooooo good for kitchens. I’ve had no issues with mine no matter what I put it through!
I've had quartz counters in my kitchen (style similar to marble) ... for about 8 years ... and they remain virtually PERFECT. I would definitely recommend them.
Yesss, mine is a beast with hold or cold, and stains come off easy if I address them quick. Plus they are pretty dang affordable for the quality!
Reynard, your videos are such an inspiration to me. I really appreciate your work. Your presentation style is clear, concise, and CALM and reminds me it's okay to slow down in life and not rush through information. It's a lesson I know well with my ASMR videos, but have a hard time applying to my other channel's educational videos. There's so much pressure to pack all info into a super short video, but IMO, sometimes it's best to take your time to present the info in the best way. Thank you!
I really love this video, straight to the point, all great tip, the photos help a lot with what should and shouldn't be done 🎉
Open kitchen shelving! Super-useful, NOT for 'showing off' my kitchen crockery, which is melamine anyway, but so I can easily access FOOD.
Word signs: "consider getting rid of them!"
YES!!! 😅
100 percent!
No chill, I love it.
Me and my wife are great admirer of your design concepts. I will be getting my house next year and if by any chance you can design our house it will be a great help.... If not then we will be using your videos as benchmark to design as best to our abilities...... Love from India
I love your videos. Your voice is so soothing and even though English is not my first language, I can understand without subtitles. I do sometimes feel attacked when I see my decorative choices in your list of "bad decisions" 😅.
I didn't do the "word" thing though, so I still feel good about myself.
Open shelf is pretty rare in my county Japan because of earthquakes. Also, I don’t want any insects such as fly, spider, roach touch my dishes and glasses.
My husband works for a custome home builder. He has seen so many of these design trends go into the homes they are working on. Usually these ideas are coming from either the interior designer or the architect.
And they’re all terrible!! I often wonder if the aforementioned interior designers really live in their own homes.
Thank you. You hit every point I have struggled to convey to so many people.
A really nice option in the kitchen is to use one piece of gorgeous natural material in a place where guests will be up close, but where you aren't doing prep work. Then, in the work areas, use similar looking, but less expensive and more durable surfaces. I saw this done once and it was very effective. The impression guests got was that the whole kitchen was done in the high end material, when in fact, only the bar top between the kitchen and the living/dining area was.
There's nothing I hate more than "HOME" or "LOVE" signs
I don't have any signs but I always loved Mary Tyler Moores big "M" on her wall so I also have my initial on my wall that moves from home to home with me. (I also liked Laverne's "L" on her clothes from Laverne and Shirley. Yes, I'm a Boomer)
I don't hate them. They just seem lazy and preachy.
I like them in the emu barn. They express Karen's personality.
Yes. Grey laminate is horrendous
Agreed. Nothing turns me off from purchasing a house when it has that barnyard flooring.
See it in many of our friends’ house though 😅😅😅
Yes! I can't stand it. It always looks fake because natural wood flooring is never going to be grey, and it always looks cold! And if you try to warm it up with warm colors on the wall or wooden furniture, everything just clashes with the grey.
@@JamieM470You can’t mix it with ton-sur-ton colors? Like a darker grey, sand color or brown instead of the always used white. I have a sand color wood flooring, matt brown-grey kitchen cabinets, a sand-grey counter top and a light grey coated aluminum backsplash (no dirty grout between tiles). It all looks amazing. I do have one open shelf above the sink. It is true, it is a dust magnet, but it looks nice.
@@RealConstructor But your flooring is sand-colored, so your place probably does look amazing!
If you meant sand-grey floor, like your counter, that's still a lot better (warmer!) than cool grey.
I'm even ok with a soft grey on walls. It's when the entire floor is cool grey, for me it makes the whole room look cold, no matter what you do.
You can play with it on one of those paint or decorating programs. You can make a beautiful room with tan or brown flooring, then when you change the flooring to cool grey the room suddenly looks cold and sterile, and no colors look good with that floor. It's weird. Maybe it's just me.
Thank you for telling the truth regarding these trends. It’s about time someone did. Regards,
From Sick of Being Sold
I remember cleaning for a family when they renovated and they had the tap too high above their bench top bathroom sink. It splashed over the mirror no matter how gently I was.
All good points !
-We don’t use any decorative pillows on the bed at all. They are completely impractical and a tripping hazard at night.
- personally hate word signs.
- being a minimalist is great, but having to drag out my coffee maker everyday is nuts. The blender is also very heavy.
You say that bed cushions are a tripping hazard at night. Does this mean (as I suspected) that there is nowhere to put them except throw them on the floor? I've asked but got no answer. I don't know anyone that has them. Do some people have a piece of furniture for them to go on? Very curious.
I used to be obsessed with all white, and yes now I'm so done because its so hard to keep up. Everything we do can damage the look and 😅😅😅
All white ? ! As a country person , at one time I had a black mare , a black Lab , & two black 'n tan mixed breed dogs . "Nuff said ... 😂
What are your comments about sintered stone for kitchen countertops? Is it better than quartz?
Everything you said seems very logical and practical. 👍
Спасибо за видео, мне нравится как вы преподносите информацию - убедительно и мягко. Я люблю ваш голос и безупречно развитое чувство вкуса.
I will add use of skylights for tropical areas. Nice to look but cost of maintenance is high plus fading of walls, and floors in the long run.
Skylights invariable will eventually leak
Mr. Lowell is absolutely rights about all the trends mentioned, especially my pet peeve: open shelving in the kitchen. Anyone who actually cooks knows that open shelving is a disaster. The combination of steam and grease, inevitable in a working kitchen, creates a magnate for dust that can't simply be Swiffered away. It takes constant work to keep the shelves (and what's on them) clean. In my opinion, once you start thinking about the kitchen as a place to "curate" your displays, you're no longer living in your house, you're "staging" it.
As someone with a disability I can't stand all the staging you're expected to do to sell your property. I also wayto be able to live in my home.
I learn new things every time I watch your videos. Keep up the good work mate
"Carpet might look good in your kitchen but is very impractical" !!! There was a shot of a carpeted kitchen when you were talking about open shelves 😉
The condo we're currently renting has beautiful black granite countertops in the kitchen, which everyone who sees them admires. But they are a PITA to keep clean! They show every streak and fingerprint, which drives my ocd side nuts. It literally takes at least *five* rounds of cleaning to get the grease and other smears wiped away. Our future house will have some kind of white or off-white matte countertops that are easy to clean and don't stain (hopefully). Black countertops seem a good idea until you have to live with them daily.
Brilliant video, captures everything I’ve felt over the years. I do raise these but currently no one listens😂
You are very logical, and an excellent design specialist!
Another great tips from you! Thanks for sharing ❤
Thank you for the reminder. Right on!
Lovely script, and your voice is so soothing. Your advice is very helpful and well thought out. Thank you!
Excellent video! New sub.
Thank you for specifying “extreme” minimalism. I’m a cozy minimalist, and bring warmth to my home by painting the walls warm, soothing colors, custom framed artwork (large pieces), and silk flower arrangements (my hobby). The result is a home that feels comfortable and inviting, but is easy to maintain.
Glass doors on kitchen cabinets are as impractical as open shelving. The glass attracts grease and fingerprints which can be difficult to maintain AND you have to constantly curate what's inside the cabinets to keep your kitchen looking "styled". What do you do with the cereal boxes, bags of pasta, canned goods and the like?
Although I agree that glass cabinet doors in kitchens can be impractical, they are very helpful in rental vacation homes! The Florida house that I rent in the winter has glass cabinet doors, and they save me a lot of time looking for things.
I have a china cabinet with glass doors and I love it. As long as you also have closed cabinets, you can just put your prettiest things on display
I think he was comparing glass-door cabinetry to open shelving.
Such cabinetry would definitely be easier to maintain than an open shelf, but I think I'm with you, close the door, hide any clutter.
The key is not using glass (or open shelving) everywhere. I have a long wall of cabinets that are a very dark wood stain. I have two sections that break up the wall of dark: the vent hood (which is black stainless but has white subway tile around it), and a cabinet with glass doors with a really nice etched pattern on it so it's not just clear glass. That was the perfect amount of space to showcase the nice dishes I do have and show some color, but hide all the clutter and non-matching ugly stuff. The pattern makes it so I don't even notice fingerprints (if there are any, we usually use the pulls on the cabinet, not touching the glass), and it's far enough from the stove there isn't any grease problem. Keeping the styling in the cabinet isn't an issue, as each dish type has it's own place and that's the only place it fits, so the only time it took to style, was the initial setup.
All of my food goes into a corner pantry that has a solid door that closes.
And yes, when I remodeled (thanks to a burst pipe behind my old cabinets), so many people told me to get open shelves and white cabinets. To which I said, "Hell no." I have kids so I avoid white for the most part (although white appliances are easier to keep nice looking than stainless), and I have cats, so open shelves would have been an invitation for them to hang out in my kitchen. The only open shelves I have is a very small section between two cabinets over my built-in entertainment cabinets, done expressly to have a small styled area, but hide everything else (the entire upper section used to be ugly open shelves/bookcase type look that became cluttered with stuff).
Again, moderation is key when using these design elements, I feel. The space above these cabinets would look boring without a few open shelves, and doors hide everything else.
I also have a freestanding tub put into my master bath. It's just far enough away from the walls I can swiffer around it for cleaning. It was really my only choice, due to the builders making the area this awkward space that was 3/4" shy of standard tub sizes, and there's a wall and a window so it would have either involved redoing the window and wall (and the outside brick) and been $$$$, looking very awkward having a tub an inch past the architecture cut off point where a wall started, or find a tub short enough to fit into the space, which the freestanding tub did. I did fully tile around the walls in that area and did a waterfall on the nearest vanity to prevent any damage from water. I had issues with the giant builder grade corner tub getting water all over the vanities it touched before as it was designed for both vanities to bookend the tub edges.
right on all counts!
On the open shelf system in kitchens. The ones in magazines are often very tall/high up and I cannot see how it's practical. Either for reaching items or cleaning. However, some people with mobility issues or disabilities may prefer an open shelf style kitchen as the doors themselves are the hassle or they need to be able to see their items. There are all kinds so lets be kind.
I ditched uppers for one open shelf for my mother. I couldn’t risk having her trying to reach 2nd level using step stool.
You can put clear silicone around a counter top sink to make it easier to clean and stop water going underneath.
Great video so many good tips, following these will help improve our home for sure.
I love the vessel sink. I have one on polished concrete and I find it less messy than traditional ones. Less water splashes
Thank you for this video. It was extremely helpful! ❤
I have the grey laminate since new. I love it, but had it installed mainly due to the fact we have two huskies and it can hide scratches and marks. Once I no longer have dogs living here, I hope to replace the laminate to a floating wood floor.
Here in Korea all white interiors and extreme minimalism are very popular. I get why, because apartments here are quite small so people don't want their homes to feel stuffy or cramped. But they often look very clinical and bland to me. We just renovated our first apartment and I made sure to incorporate warmth and color, so it looks like a HOME and not a hospital.
Really useful and concise production. I appreciate the information, thank-you
I can't believe you put a thumbs down to that counter top @ 3:07. I like it. To each his own but just because something was 'so last year' we really need to be less wasteful. That countertop will go with most things and is quite functional.
I know this is not a real estate channel but a design one but I have a question. My husband and I didn't see eye to eye on this topic: I want to get rid of the bathtub/shower and just make a shower stall, he said this was the only tub in the house and if the house didn't have a single tub, it could be lowering the house value. Family with little children would want a tub. Is that still true?
Very sensible and practical advice, thanks very much!
Hard to avoid, but black electronics present the same dust-collecting problem as black floors. At least they’re not as bulky as they used to be. Good video.
Black and stainless steel kitchen appliances are a pain to keep clean. White appliances don't show spots and fingerprints as readily.
@@Bobrogers99I found this out the hard way. Our black stove is a PAIN to keep clean and shiny, unlike the white one we previously had
This was very helpful, thank you.
Great video!
minimalist style suits ppl who live a minimalist lifestyle and don't own many belongings to create clutter. I've been raving on about exactly everything you said about the open shelves every time I see them anywhere
Current and last place we've lived (renting) have the grey flooring. Initial reaction to last place was "Okay but I hate the flooring." But at least you get used to it.
Very informative. Thank you😊
Great tips I love your videos
I feel so validated. I'm 10 for 10 in agreement.
Very sensible advice. I have often thought the same. Life happens. Homes cannot be maintained like the pages of a glossy magazine. Thanks for the upload.
HI I LIKE THE ART WORK STANDING ON THE SHEL BEHIND U... WHERE CAN WE BUY LIKE? THANKS😊
Ive been a countertop fabricator for 21years. Working with all manner of natural stone and man made products like quartz and porcelain. Your section on countertop choices was actually pretty perfect....
Almost noone on 'your side' (design) talks about the heat draw backs of quartz countertops. Also should mention all quartz countertops use a resin base. Resin is NOT a longevity material, doesnt play well with heat or UV. USE A GOOD QUALITY QUARTZ PEOPLE! Your fabricator cannot do anything to "save" your cheep quartz when it turns in a few years. Use a recognized brand. Lots of stone importers & wholesalers have a kinda house brand that is low quartz % per square foot cheep material. We can't "fix" bad quartz like we can a real stone.
Oh and porcelain isnt full bodied so you need to figure out something with the edge and even with a mitre when you ease the sharpness off the edge it takes the design away (exposing the porcelain under the design orint) and looks like someone drew over all your edges with a paint marker.
Great vid! More importantly…cool jacket!
"Design Trends That Look Good But Are Impractical" I was wondering if you would list the one I immediately thought of. TV's hung above a fireplace mantel. The TV is too high and looks squished into a regular height ceiling.
Agree & also , I feel that a tv " cancels out " the beauty of the mantel & purpose of the fireplace itself .
Agree on this but I guess I never thought of it as "good looking" :D perhaps I’ll make a part 2 of this
Looking forward to this
Please 🙏🏽 Can you do a video about this topic. I am about to move into a new apartment where this would be the only option and I don’t like it.
Looking into a heated fireplace, dries the eyes, is distracting to the show you are watching, and is the heat good for the TV?
This looks fantastic ❤
Great tips 🎉
I like the neutral color. Before I painted mintgreen🤣🤣
10 design trends that will help you live laugh love
Outstanding advice.