Faux Pas and Stripper Poles

posted by 3 Comments

The other day, I was talking to a friend of mine who asked me if there were any hard fast rules concerning interior design “don’ts”, to which I replied No.  I don’t believe there are specifics anymore because let’s face it, some of the greatest designers are the ones who BREAK the rules, making them stand out among the others.
I do find that every designer has a unique perspective of their own rules and in thinking about this question for the past few days, here are a few of my own DON’Ts:

 1.  Acoustic Ceilings:

If you have the dreaded pop corn ceilings and have the opportunity to remove them, DO IT!  There is nothing that will make a house look more dated (aside possibly from cheap wood paneling) than acoustic ceilings.  It can get expensive, I know, but it’s really not that hard to do it yourself.  There are several DIY sites that can show you how to do it with very little mess, it’s just a matter of taking it on.  Be sure however, to check the date your home was built to know if there are any asbestos precautions you need to take.  You may also want to consider “mudding” over it for more of a plaster look.

2.  Magazine Racks in the bathroom:

I know this is probably more of a personal issue than a design faux pas, but seriously, nothing freaks me out more than knowing that someone prior to me has been chilling with the very magazine sitting next me in the rack below the toilet paper.  It just brings up bad imagery and I prefer not to go there.  That’s just me, though…your call.
3.  Pay attention to the architectural style of your house:

 There’s nothing worse to me than a home that wants so badly to be Tuscan but doesn’t have the bones for it (I use Tuscan as an example because that seems to be the look so many people are trying to achieve…it could be anything). Thats not to say you can’t use Tuscan (or whatever) influences and incorporate them into the look of the house, in fact, THAT I encourage.  Your home should be somewhat eclectic (unless your a purist), it should look well traveled  and collective but don’t try to dress it up into something it isn’t.
Think of it like this…you may love the look of a tartan plaid mini skirt, but unless you are a size 6 or less, are under the age of 25 or a Catholic school girl, it probably isn’t going to look right on you.  Dress for what fits your body, decorate for what fits your house.
and lastly this has to be addressed because believe it or not, I’ve actually SEEN THIS:
4.  DO NOT have a stripper pole in your entry way, even if you are a successful eligible bachelor:
You think I’m kidding you, don’t you?  I actually had a client a few years ago who owned a really beautiful condo in Orange County.  He had impeccable taste, beautiful view and just a great eye for what he liked (no pun intended).  When I went to his house for the first time, I walked through the front door into his beautifully travertine tiled entry and BAM! there it was…the “lil’ minx” just staring at me, daring me to take a swing. I of course, resisted but it has haunted me ever since.
And that my friends, is why I will say that Stripper Pole in the entry is the biggest interior design mistake you can make…my one hard fast rule.  The rest, take them for what they’re worth.  As I stated earlier, individual interpretation of the rules is what makes the design industry so interesting.  It’s constantly being challenged and the rules changed and the ones provoking it’s evolution are the ones who break the rules.  Who knows, maybe the stripper pole attached to an ultra bumpy pop-corned ceiling in a contemporary home disguised in Tuscan design will someday be a prestigious status symbol…until I see it in the well worn design magazine stationed next to the toilet I highly doubt it but you decide for yourself.
Remember:
 
but keep your stripper pole out of sight!
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Filed Under: Casa Stephens Interiors

Comments

  1. Martinis or Diaper Genies? :
    January 17, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    i'm SO with you on the magazine thing. sickness.

    Reply
  2. Notes From the Grove :
    January 18, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Um, wow. You gotta have BALLS to put a stripper pole in your house, lol. And good call about the bathroom mags! I've never thought about it that way.

    I did a little redecorating at our house over the summer! Here's the link if you want to see: http://notesfromthegrove-boise.blogspot.com/2009/12/bedroom-makeover.html

    Reply
  3. Melissa :
    May 26, 2010 at 10:11 pm

    LOL! Thought I had read all these, but just found this one. For real! And I know I am weird, but the acoustic ceiling doesn't bother me – I have fond memories of my childhood bedroom where my popcorn ceiling was bespeckled with shiny gold flakes. It was like a blanket of popcorn and stars and made me feel very Magic Fairy Princessy. The mags in the bathroom ick me. I work with a guy that takes the newspaper with him to the toidy at 10 sharp ever morning and then BRINGS IT BACK!

    Reply

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