Unpopular Interior Design Opinions | We Need to Talk About Thrifting...
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
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In this video I go over some of my most controversial design opinions. These are my hot takes on some of the most popular trends in design.
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⏱ Timestamps:
00:00 - Unpopular Interior Design Opinions
00:27 - DeleteMe
01:34 - Microwave in a Kitchen Island
04:39 - Vintage Isn't Always Good
07:53 - Dupes are Fine
10:28 - Brass Isn't Over
13:01 - Some Patterns Read a Neutral
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Ok before you FREAK OUT! If you are able to fix up some of these broken, thrifted finds then that's different! I am assuming here that you are putting them in as is, so if you can paint it or repair it and you have more talent and patience than I do, go for it!
My oven has a microwave built in - it’s just one 😃
Awww, Nick, don’t worry - I get you !!! And yes, you’re right: Not all vintage IS aesthetically pleasing.
Indeed, not all items labeled “vintage” truly ARE vintage - it’s become the new go-to term to justify overcharging people for things that are just old, used, dated and worn.
The rule when buying vintage is this: If it’s not going to turn into a valuable antique in another 60 years, don’t over-pay.
You offered GREAT advice to beware the vintage marketing label.
Folks should beware the “antique” label, too: I just posted a comment on Poshmark alerting potential buyers that a small, overpriced gold foil mirror wasn’t antique!
A lot of thrifted furnitures and items are pure, overpriced garbage! Because of the trend, prices skyrocketed, one has to be careful and picky....and good at bargaining! Times are crazy!!!
I agree with everything you said in this video. 👏🏼
😂😂😂😂😂
The microwave drawer is accessible from my wheelchair. It lets me cook for myself and maintaining my independence at home.
I was wondering about this, specifically. Sometimes the “unstylish” solution to something is that way for accessibility, so I was wondering if the under-counter in-island microwave would be more or less accessible for some folks than the countertop versions.
(The over-the-range versions have always seemed like the least accessible option, tbh. I don’t want to imagine my frail grandmother-in-law trying to reach up and over a hot stovetop to get to it…)
I say put the micro wherever is the most convenient for you. For me is above my stove top.
I made that comment just now! Looking into this for my husband who uses a wheelchair. It sounds like you like it?
I came here to say the same thing! My kitchen doesn't have that option, but I wish it did!
I’m also a wheelchair user and would love an in counter microwave. I currently have an over the range one and, while I can use it most of the time, it’s a bit difficult.
Another thing about dupes, 99% of people don’t even know they are dupes. If I see a chair on Amazon I’m not going to do a search to see if there’s a version 10 times the price.
Yeah, I found a chair on Wayfair that I liked but wanted to see if I could find it at other retailers. When I searched the image, I found out it was a dupe of a chair by...I think CB2? One of those high-end places. The comments on the chair from the high-end place though were worse than the reviews from Wayfair, which just seemed odd and wrong, lol. I decided not to get the chair at all, though. The pictures do a deceitful job on showing the height and it's actually lower than I'd like.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValleyyeah man what’s with all the secretly tiny stuff for ale online? It’s so frustrating how images can make things seem bigger bc it’s almost like they’re using deliberately deceptive slightly smaller surroundings or everything is just lazily photoshopped in without any regard to scale or accuracy.
A lot of furniture is purchased by the brands as a prefab, ready to go item and they just add their branding to the packaging and sell it under their label. Could be that and then the ppl giving more bad reviews has got to be bc it’s more expensive so they’re madder when it sucks? Kinda like ppl who get a free product are more likely to review it 5⭐️ bc a free thing seems way better than one you pay for
I like the better quality DIY dupes people make on YT, but not the cheapo Dollar Tree ones.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley Yes! I learned long ago to check dimensions, especially on cheaper stuff. That's sometimes where they cut corners is by making it smaller.
@@dsa2591 Yep, and I try to see if anyone has any good pictures of the item. Don't just take pictures of the item by itself, especially from above where it will look bigger. Include a photo that shows the item in your room so the real size can be seen. Sometimes, just saying something in inches might not resonate with people with how big or small something is. The chair I was looking at also has a short back to it, with the pillow you get with the chair doing the heavy lifting of supporting you. I hadn't thought of that until other reviewers mentioned it and that too made me decide not to get it. Which sucks, as I love that chair, but being comfortable so that I'm not inclined to want to replace it is more important.
Microwaves aren't for food, they are for reheating coffee over and over and over allllll day long until you finally consume it. 🤣
Or tea 😅
hahaha, yes!
oh gosh please get a thermos or similar. Really. It tastes so much better than reheating.
Lost cup? End End End.
My husband is amazed how many times he finds my cups of coffee or tea in the microwave the next day. It should text you or something 😝
Hearing Nick refer to the 90s leather couch as "vintage," I think, aged me by 80-some years. 😂
Same. 😅
That stung 😂
😅
It's vintage recent-graduate bachelor pad.
@@user-jn8tg6nw8j It can be officially vintage if it is from before the 00's but still is just vintage junk.
As middle age people set up their kitchens, they REALLY need to think about ageing in place. Microwave over the stove? NOOOO! On the counter or under the counter? Yes! You are one broken leg, back injury, rotator cuff tear, from not being able to safely use your high up microwave.
I am all for microwaves on the countertop. Under the counter--I don't want to have to squat down to use it or clean it. My knees don't like that.
Are you for real what a bizarre comment
@@amandawoods4051 obviously from your responce, you are one of the able bodied elitist, who cannot ever fathom themselves as injured, or perminately disabled. Every single person who lives long enough, will eventually start to face some disabilities. But perhaps I'm mistaken about you. Perhaps you live your life filled with drugs and alcohol, as a perpetual party girl, looking firward to the day you join the 27Club.
@LauraJdogmom yep, cleaning it would suck.
I had a drawer microwave, it was easy to clean and required no bending down!
I paid a sh*t ton of money for my first round of "quality" English traditional furniture in the late 80s and 90s. I ditched most of it in 2010 and then spent another sh*t ton on a totally Modern re-do. In 2018, I realized that I hated Modern, so I went back to English traditional. THIS TIME, I bought every single piece at Salvation Army, Facebook Marketplace, GoodWill, and the Habitat ReStore. I then accessorized at garage sales, estate sales, and eBay. I spent less than 2000 dollars this time, and my place has never looked better. I wish I'd been thrifty when I was a young man... lesson learned! ALWAYS buy used. ALWAYS.
“children are gonna put themselves in the microwave or something I don’t know” - lol.
If you have small children (I don't) having a microwave at their height is definitely not a good idea. There are numerous things they can put in there that do not belong. Metal objects would be the least of my worries.
Yeah like the kitten.
Mom of 3 here- never baby proofed anything bc I taught them not to touch things that are not their business or are dangerous. Problem solved. From there Darwin takes over and they learn the hard way LoL
Do people realize the OVEN is usually at a child's height with front buttons they can mess with? Why are we worried about the microwave when the oven is just as risky? Teach your kids not to touch things.
I agree! I also think that microwaves that are put in upper cabinets or above stoves are a hazard to anyone over 4 feet tall. You could easily spill hot food on yourself when you reach up to remove an item from the microwave.
"There is the another group of people, let's call them 99% " 😂😂😂
Love that lol
98
I laughed when he said that. I'm at the bottom of that 98%, not anywhere near the top.
@@pedrolopes3542 Thanks for correcting them, Rain Man, because that 1% sure makes a huge difference. 🙄
Quote: it’s not vintage, it’s an IKEA 🧀 grater with rust on it… Nick you are my therapy! 👏🏼💯
As someone who was a young kid growing up in the 70s I absolutely agree that just because it's vintage doesn't mean it's good. Have you seen the shades of brown and pea green we lived through?? I still have bad flashbacks.
Same, I have PTSD from poor design in the 70's.
Too true. The late 60s and early 70s had 4 colors: avocado green, harvest gold, burnt orange and that icky brown. Black!
When my favorite colors were rose pink, ivory, fuchsia, cobalt blue, and carmine red, my stepmother made us have yellow-gold wallpaper, a harvest gold rug, and avocado green spreads on the beds in our bedroom. I STILL have nightmares.
Absolutely. And those giant pseudo Victorian patterns in bright orange and brown in the UK. They were everywhere - carpet, wallpaper l, curtains, kitchen tiles (walls and floors). The seventies was also when the TV became the centrepiece of the sitting room rather than the fireplace.
Oh, and my parents got all their furniture from MFI. Every time we had guests over a back strut of a dining chair would break and there would be many apologies both ways. My grandfather put his dinner on the leaf of the table it gave way and his whole meal ended up on his lap.
Nick, I wanted to thank you. Your channel popped up in my recommendations a couple of days ago and since then I was binge watching your videos. I live with mum and there is a war in my country so buying decorations or redesigning our house is really not an option right now but your wit and authenticity are helping me to get through very challenging recuperation period after a surgery. Thank you very much and God bless you.
Ага, файний канал)
@irynarovna wishing you the best and sending Internet hugs 🤗
@irynarovna Praying for your recovery and emotional health as you navigate life post-surgery and through the war you are living through.
Sending good health and vibes your way! I say look into homesteading/bushcraft stuff, you can make a lot more than you think you can, and tbh as a disabled person myself having something to do in nature with your hands can provide a sense of purpose and stimulation.
Unpopular opinion: Just because someone on the internet told you not to have a thing, doesn't mean you have to be sad and thing-less.
History major here, and we're all part of a generational cycle! When I was little, those who could afford it bought Federal- era antiques (late 1700's). The young hippies couldn't afford that and became obsessed with Victorian, and then Art Deco. Gen X and Millennials, midcentury modern, because it's what looked fresh to their eyes and they could afford it. Now, Gen Z is loving 70's and 80's neo-victorian and neo-deco and who are we to criticise.
Also, context is everything. If you throw any vintage piece into a home decor that doesn't work - it's bad. But, if care is taken to find pieces that work harmoniously together, almost any piece can shine!
Just because it’s vintage…… finally someone said it!!! Thank you!
When we remodeled, we put a small countertop microwave on a recessed shelf in a storage area close to where we eat. Since its main purpose is to reheat, as opposed to actually *cooking*, it's more convenient, and because it's a small white microwave in a white cabinet, it doesn't draw attention to itself. I've been very happy with that decision.
I bought a Sharp Half Pint during the jelly years (remember the first I Mac that the daughter on Six Feet Under had). Mine was not blue or pink but black. Have had it for twenty five years and it still works. Worth every penny of the $49 I paid for it. Found one on the curb next to moving neighbors and have it as a spare. It’s vintage. Not as vintage as my mother’s Sunbeam Mixer….1956.
62 year old here. My mom used to drag me to antique shops on the weekends when I was young and that is where I learned that people made cheap crap for poor people from (at least) the time of the Great Depression to the present. But as you say, if you like it, it's your home, do what you want. I'm restoring my 1990s orange oak cabinets in (gasp) the same orange oak! Just fixin' the worn out surfaces! I was so happy in the 1990s when I got married and we bought this brand new home and I'm never changing it. Trends are stupid and 100 years from now they'll say it's "classic"....lol
Classic or garbage. Whichever.
Well, here in uk furniture from 50s and 60s is solid, holds weight, functions well and yet was probably meant for less wealthy judging by how much of it is in the charity shops now. Yet stuff from the 80s and 90s are much more damaged, warped and scratched because they were of a lesser quality.
@@crochetomaniaall the stuff from the 50s and 60s that was crap is probably just broken now and the solid stuff is what has lasted
Sweet 😊👍🏻
I have thrifted nightstands, cabinets, oh, about half of my house is thrifted.
I find stuff there that I cannot find in common stores. Love thrifting.
Same, my dining table is around 90 years old and found on fb marketplace, it’s such an interesting piece!
And now that new furniture has so much mdf in it, it's nice to find something made predominantly of real wood!
I can't afford quality pieces in the store but I sure can second hand. I have beautiful timeless pieces I have paid very little for. 👍
My whole house is thrifted apart from my bed and my kids room.
Yeah, there's definitely a lot of junk at my local antique malls, but there's also some excellent wooden furniture that was built to last. I got a beautiful cherry dresser for my bedroom for $800 (which included a matching mirror I put in my dining room), when a similar dresser would have easily been four figures if I bought it new. It had some superficial scratches and tarnish on the metal fixtures, but nothing you'd notice at first glance.
I also got a decent wicker sofa for my sun room for $200. It's nothing fancy, but it's pretty comfy and does its job just fine.
However, I've also seen pieces that I thought about buying, only to look them up and see the exact item being sold for cheaper at a big box store. It takes practice and research to really get good deals at these places.
However, thrift stores are an excellent way to save money, so you can save up for those newer "investment pieces" that are harder to find used (like upholstered chairs/couches, or anything with a more modern design style).
agree. it's kind of like music, just because it's old, doesn't make it a classic
But it's an OLD cheese grater from IKEA with rust on it! That's so much better than a new cheese grater from IKEA with rust on it!
This reminds me of when my son was helping me declutter and wanted to throw out my rusted tools. I said "NO! All I have to do is soak those in vinegar and they'll be fine."
Brass and peacock- blue goes very well together, in my opinion!!!
I can visualize that. Looks gorgeous!!
I had no idea that microwaves were being put in kitchen islands until I started house shopping recently. Personally, I am absolutely in love with the concept. Also, no one's child will crawl in a microwave. Only babies could fit in a microwave. And if a baby is in a microwave, you have a different problem. Children are far more likely to crawl into ovens, which are actually sized for them.
The way you worded your last sentence makes it sound like ovens were sized specifically for children to fit into, which the bog witch in me finds entertaining.
As a nanny, my concern would be young children sticking other things in the microwave, not themselves. Toys, silverware, even small pets.
Little kids love mimicking, but don't understand context. They see their parents put food in and press buttons, so they're going to put literally anything they find into the microwave and press buttons, food or no.
If you had a microwave at that height and small children, I'd recommend getting a microwave with some sort of child lock.
And microwaves just don’t cook Anything properly, especially children.
@@amandahamilton9213 Slowly and at low temperature? Asking for a friend.
@@653j521 probably depends on the age of the child - the fat content varies so much
At this point in my life, 68, I still like the microwave over the stove. I still do a lot of cooking and I need all the counter space I can get. I also find bending over to be more aggravating than it used to be and already have enough of bending to do, e.g., the dishwasher, retrieving undercounter pots and pans, etc. But everyone is in a different place with their lives.
I'd prefer a hood over the stove -- I hide my microwave in the credenza that I use for my coffee bar. It's ugly and don't want it visible. I also don't use it that much.
I always love it when Nick confirms my own firmly held opinions, and I was 5 for 5 on this video.
Most especially, not everything old is well designed and well made. I say that as a someone who has thrifted for 30 years and whose furniture and decor is nearly all second-hand. Bad design has always been with us, since we came out of the cave.
I was just looking around, and every cool thing I have, was free! And the one thing I bought was an art deco chair. People GIVE away the nicest things. Look there 1st, much love there. 😊
100% my children named it decades ago because being a single mom, I picked up as much as possible for “Free99”. I love it. Never worry about it breaking, or borrowed (and not returned), or anything. It was free99. If you don’t like something about it, repair it, paint it, or give it to the next person. I am amazed at how much people spend on stuff AND what they throw away. 🤷♀️
You can get cute countertop microwaves now. They don't have to be silver or black, get whatever color floats your boat 😊. Reason why I wouldn't want an under the counter microwave, or even over the range, is because if/when it dies, it's going to he a whole project to remove it. If you want a different sized appliance, you're now limited to what will fit in that space.
My current apartment has an over the range microwave (so I was able to box up my personal one and put it in the closet for now), and I do appreciate having that counter space to use, but microwaves don't last as long as other appliances now so I'd still be scared of not being able to easily change it out.
Putting the microwave in the island lets you have a better performing vent hood. In my situation, I had a combination microwave and conventional oven. the microwave went on the fritz and I had to replace the whole thing. Putting the microwave in the island got it out of the way. And freed up space for a double oven to replace the previous unit.
@@bd92759 So long as it's more of a shelf than a built-in, I could maybe see going that route, but like your situation with the vent hood, I'd be worried about what it requires to get the microwave out of the island if it needs to be repaired, lol.
And all of this is hilariously hypothetical for me anyways. I'm a millenial who likely will never own a house anyways 😅. One can dream, though.
I've had my microwave for 26 years. I bought it reconditioned, so it may be older. It has a clock work timer and I attribute its longevity to that.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley Vintage house? Full of the worst decorating and architectural mistakes of the last 50 years? Might be affordable when the termites have finished off the support beams. Never give up hope. :)
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley we have a free standing microwave oven that sits on a shelf , below the counter and is hidden from view by the cupboard door. We have a very similar set up in our previous kitchen and really like it. It's out of sight and if it does die you can easily replace it with any new one.
I agree with so much of this. I thought vintage meant something old that was well designed and well crafted. Old junk isn't "vintage." If it was ugly and poorly made when it was new, it isn't any better now 'cause it's old!
Ive noticed Nick usually only likes vintage items that fit the mid-century or Scandinavian look. Some people have a hard time expanding their ideas of good design. I can appreciate different styles of design if its done well.
Sometimes I am glad I live alone in an unfinished house in the desert with locally made carpets and my three pieces of living room furniture that cost less than 50 dollars and everyone who comes in feels right at home.
When are you NOT glad about those things tho?
@@JacyndaMinor when I see a beautiful piece of furniture that i would like to own...when i want to rearrange the living room but know there is no better way...when i want to paint the bare cement walls...when it is 115 outside...when i wish i had a real kitchen instead of a plastic table and free-standing stove and frig...when i am in a bad mood...
@@janetleeadams7287 also I didn’t think about how living in the desert you probably don’t have to worry about mold, either. I live in Appalachia and it is an ISSUE here.
You can stain cement! There’s all sorts of neat stuff you can do to cement, etching, stains, there’s even floor paint for cement. And you can hang tapestries too!
What’s unfinished about it?
@@JacyndaMinor I live in southern Tunisia, in the Sahara. There is an interesting aspect of the culture here. Families begin planning and saving to build a house for their sons, at least the oldest son. when the boy is young. The type of construction--hollow brick walls built up on a thick stone and concrete foundation, and it is built in stages according to available money. So first the family buys the lot; eventually lays a foundation; eventually buys bricks; then bricks for interior and exterior walls then cement plaster over the bricks; roofs; and usually a wall around the lot. Then it is painted and tiled. Now, the important part is this son finding a wife. When a suitable wife is found, the man's family begins furnishing the house. The wife will bring bedding and kitchen stuff and her own personal wardrobe etc. Well, at any point during the original house building, construction can stop. Maybe the money runs out because the family father dies. Or someone loses a job or dies. Who knows. The house across from me is still not finished and has been being built for 6 years. Little by little. Apparently the family who started building the house I live in had to stop. I don't know why. So it is bare cement but local carpets are colorful and that is what I have used. I rent it from a woman whose husband bought the unfinished house for his oldest son, but the son didn't marry so the house was empty.
More than you wanted to know :) but so interesting.
@@janetleeadams7287 wooow wowowow no, thank you for sharing that is really cool and super interesting, honestly now I have so many questions! Where do the sons live if they can’t find a wife? Do the houses vary by much or are they all pretty similar? What do the 3rd born sons do? Is marriage the only way for women to get a house? Do you have a lot of squatters, people or pest, moving into unfinished uninhabited homes?
It’s so interesting that being forced to build and make everything yourself nowadays is almost a blessing in that, you can’t get quality like that anywhere pre-made, and the skill of building or making anything is so valuable.
I really love that lifelong culture of building for family, I just wish it could be for everyone in their family, but I also understand how sometimes that’s not possible.
Thanks for sharing, I genuinely was assuming you just lived in Arizona or something!
Patterns can be tricky, but they can make a room. I owned a 1929 farmhouse. There was a two bedroom apartment built over the detachtched garage/shop. Also from 1929. So the kitchen was tiny, but had STUNNING custom built wood cabinets. They were in great shape and amazingly, had never been painted. The kitchen walls on the other hand, were painted that 1970's screaming mustard yellow color. I chose a wallpaper that looked like antique worl maps. That wallpaper, with the original wood cabinets, was absolutely smashing together. Patterns can be fun...just don't go 1980's and have the same pattern on the walls, ceiling, bedspread and curtains!
The world map wallpaper is a brilliant idea! Good on you for appreciating the vintage elements and staying true to them.
On the other hand, all the matching patterns in The Queen's Gambit (Beth's adopted family's house) were mesmerizing. And a little scary. But that wasn't 1980s.
I watched a Murder She Wrote episode where Jessica stayed in a bedroom like that. In fairness, it was considered luxurious at the time.
This is why I almost miss wallpaper borders....almost....
Re: dupes, “let’s call them the 98%” - YES! This is your mic drop. People deserve to live in a space they think is beautiful. ❤
THANK YOU FOR THIS! There are a few current interior design UA-camrs who constantly punch down and could really benefit from hearing how you speak with nuance, respect, and reality. This was such a breath of fresh air and actually insightful.
“Honestly if your kid is stupid enough to fall into a microwave… … 🤷” 😂😂😂
Nick's love of children strikes again
😂
I personally love my microwave under the countertop. Being 5'3 the thought of reaching above my head to get something hot down is scary so no above the stove microwave for me! I then hated the concept of sitting the microwave ontop of the countertop because lets be real it takes up valuable space you can use for cooking something i didn't have in my first home and something i really wanted when renovating my new kitchen. With under the countertop it saves space, its convenient and i don't have to worry about spilling something really hot on myself.
When I think about my parents' den filled with Early American furniture and lamps in the 60s, I shudder to think that anyone would call those vintage. But then I remember the dark green ceramic table laps that were like blocks of jade that had been deeply carved to create voids in the mass that they had in the 50s, and I wish I had those damn lamps.
This is why he always says each to his own. I really like early American furniture, because it's so sturdy and durable. I still have my childhood dresser I got when I was 9, and I'm 73. It's still standing and in pretty good shape, even after being passed through several family members and my own two sons.
I've always hated the over-the-stove microwave idea. Lifting bowls and platters full of cooked food down from above eye level is dangerous. If they tip or slip, you risk splattering piping hot food all over your arms and torso. If the microwave is at countertop height or lower and something slips, the spilled food will end up on the counter or floor instead. Much safer.
Oh gawd, lol…. “Honestly if your kid crawls into the microwave, ‘shrug’”. Still laughing. Thanks
One thing I will never do is DELETE Nick 😄🥰👏🏾
NO DUPES! When you dupes you are encouraging people to seal someone else design. It no difference then having a fake purse or watch.
I remodeled my kitchen and moved the microwave from above the stove to the lower cabinetry. I love it. I’m short and taking boiling liquids out of a microwave at face level used to freak me out…very unsafe! 😬
“children are gonna put themselves in the microwave or something I don’t know” - lol
I don't want to get canceled... 😂
They won't put themselves in, but they might put in a big ball of aluminum foil, just to see what happens.
@@LauraJdogmomBig balls of foil, silverware, toys with metal parts, small pets, or literally anything else that could come to mind.
Are there microwaves that come with child locks? Someone who puts their microwave at that height would need one.
I don’t know what kind of monsters you guys have for children 🙈 Honestly, if your child puts animals in the microwave you might as well go ahead and reserve them that spot in prison right now, cause that screams psychopath 🙈🙈🙈😅
@@LittleKikuyu I'm not speaking about older children. I'm talking about young children (around 2-4) who wouldn't understand that a microwave would kill a pet, or even what death means.
Children older than that might not put a pet in, but they are more likely to put something in that could start a fire because they don't fully understand the consequences.
Chlidren are children. If you are so ready to label a child with such a serious diagnosis (that can't be given until adulthood for a reason), then I question how much you really know about children.
Pro tip from a student who cooks for one so microwave is my friend. Put a few drops of water on your food before you use the microwave and it will taste like the freshly cooked meal. Works for most food, does not for things with a crunchy crust like pizza
Just try to hide it in a cabinet or something if possible.
Tip from a connoisseur of the microwave! Dry paper towel underneath, slightly damp paper towel on top, and the pizza will taste almost as fresh as the day you bought it. Damp paper towel over rice when reheating makes it taste identical to fresh as well!
Preach Nick! 🙌🏼 I love your sensible approach on Dupes. Furniture design is not the same as Art. It’s a lamp not the Mona Lisa. Let’s relax. 😂
Also, a nice Mona Lisa print in the living room? 😅 Still decorative 😁 I mean there IS only one original. not enough to go around…🖼️
@@LittleKikuyu very good point! 😂
I'm 62 and totally agree with you about vintage. Sometimes you just need to get rid of it if you are using it
Absolutely agree with you on the microwave in the kitchen island. I'm just a little bit over 5 ft and I can't stand kitchens that have the microwave up in the upper cabinets. Totally unusable if you're a shorter person, which seemingly nobody ever thinks about (architects, developers, etc.). It's a way bigger security hazard to have it up because you can just spill the heated/hot contents of your food all over yourself and it's way safer if the microwave is positioned lower (either on the countertop, or in the kitchen island).
4'11" here. I also hate microwaves above the stove because... well, they're f'in ugly. Hide those things.
The metal I chose to put in my house was oil rubbed bronze. I know, I’m sure it’s completely outdated now. I don’t care. I like it. It will come back in fashion one of these days.
Nah, it is a classic material that goes with many styles, and if you like it , that is what matters most.
I liked black metal when it wasnt cool. I agree, 100%. If you like it who cares? It will come back in fashion anyway😅
Agreed with everything in the video. If I was putting in a kitchen island, I'd probably go with a shelf for a microwave rather than a built-in, but I agree heartily that that is a good place for it. Old is not always good - yep. Brass can be a good choice - for sure. Dupes are not bad - true.
I LOVE oil rubbed bronze! Have it in a few rooms, like my family room lamps. Because everything is light beige and gray and stormy blue in here, so I needed a grounding color and it works great! In the others I have brushed nickel hardware
One thing I appreciated when I chose Holland America for my first-ever cruise (Alaska last June) was that every passenger has access to nearly all of the amenities. Suite guests and those of us in less expensive cabins all enjoyed essentially the same experience of the public areas and dining. I don’t think I’d like being divided by class, because I’d be in steerage. 😂
I love you acknowledging that not everyone will be able to have the expensive home item. And a well chosen item that's similar in style (a dupe) has a place in a persons home because everyone deserves to have a beautiful home that reflects their taste & style. A dupe does not mean poor quality if chosen well.
I've never understood microwaves above the oven. It puts them at or above eye level for most people which for me is uncomfortable. I also hate the amount of counter space my microwave occupies. In-Island is perfect for me as well
I'll put it on the counter, but I agree about the oven. My friend had that when I was little, and it's a far bigger hazard for kids than the island. With it in the island, they're just going to hit a lot of buttons when tiny. Annoying but whatever. Above the stove, there's probably a chair to reach it and the potentially HOT stove is right beneath it.
@@Xandycane exactly
No island, tall woman, love my over the stove microwave…whatever works for you.
Oh, goody, more Nick snark. Love it!
I agree with most of your takes. I'm not putting a microwave in a kitchen island because I use my microwave all the time. I heat things; I don't cook much. But you do you!
You are quite right that vintage isn't always great. Old and tired is old and tired. Bad design is still bad design. If it can be fixed, great. Sometimes all it takes is some paint or a piece of fabric to reupholster a seat cushion. (I can't imagine why on earth someone put that peeling vinyl sofa in their house and TOOK A PICTURE OF IT! It screams either impoverished college student, or else bachelor-pad couch that the owner refuses to give up.)
I don't have much of a problem with dupes, either, as long as no one tries to pass them off an original. We've had dupes for decades, probably even centuries. We call them reproductions. I can see where someone might object to a copy of a design of recent vintage, but not all of what we think of as modern design is recent. For instance, the design for the Wassily chair is nearly 100 years old; likewise the other Bauhaus designs. The originals will be legitimate antiques within a decade. Charles Eames has been dead for over forty years. Many of his designs were mass produced and were never intended to be fine furniture. The iconic Eames office chair and ottoman is as old as I am! So yeah, it's okay to duplicate that stuff.
As for brass, even if it were "out," I'd keep what I have. Most of the metals in our homes are not easy or cheap to swap out, and it would be expensive and rather foolish for most of us to replace them simply to follow a trend. I also remember when a brass bed was the coolest thing ever, and everyone seemed to want one.
I was basically going to write this! Microwave in the island? No. I use mine all the time. Y'all that cook, and reheat on the stove, good for you. I need my microwave where it is easily accessible. BUT, 100% on everything else.
Just have to comment on using multiple patterns in a space. My go to advice is to use small, medium and large. They don't have to be the same pattern or color, but definitely "blend" (not match). And stick with keeping it simple, whether it's fabric or tile or whatever. Works for me! Thx!
That is genius
This is a common lesson for interiors. It can be combined with other lessons about using each to various degrees - so pick your favorite and use in 60 to 70% of the space (say maybe as wallpaper or tile), then the others used 20/10/10, or 30/10, or 20/10 as accents around the space. Rugs, beds, upholstered sectional could easily be the 20 or 30%, then maybe pillows, curtains, lampshades, etc as the various 10% ... Another lesson is to be sure all three have at least one commonly shared color. Like a three color plaid that includes significant blue, combined with a floral design using maybe two or three shades of blues, and the third pattern perhaps a stripe with a but if blue as well, and maybe something, or several things in the room is in shades of blue (a solid blue wall paint, or trim, or blue velvet sofa, or blue stained glass details in the window, etc. ). This method allows a one color repetition, or various shades of the chosen color. So the blue can be all sky blue, giving an airy, classic feel, maybe beachy style. Or, use light, medium, dark blues on the solid colored items (usually paint, tile, upholstery) scattered throughout the space to continue the theme of coordinating various patterns to through the use of the color blue. Next, as Nick points out in another video, you need to think about the visual rythm. Try to avoid having all the dark blue in the left corner, and all of anything in just one spot UNLESS it's a focal point. So, a focal point usually highlights the purpose of the room. A sofa for a sitting room, a bed for a bed room, a soaking tub in a Master bath, etc. Typically, you'd pick ONE thing in a room to be center stage, easily in view as you enter. But other than that one focal point, all other colors should be scattered rythmically around the space.
Then when you feel you've designed the room the way you like, you pick one color from it to share in the next room to create a sense of harmonious flow. You can increase the sense of harmony by using the same flooring throughout and the same hardware for outlets and doorways, maybe even the same trim throughout, and small homes often use a consistent style of ceiling, etc. Personally, I like spaces big enough to have fun with my ceilings 😅 but if the space is tiny it's not always an option.
@@tlvance3973 awesome advice e
I would just add that they need to have SOMETHING in common, however subtle, or they will clash horribly.
I'm too short for an over-the-stove/range thing, and I won't give up my limited counter space. My kitchen is too small for an island. So, I purchased a cabinet on wheels that is designed to be an island with a little shelf on one side and a rod for hanging things on the other. Microwave is on there with a taoster oven on top of that. It has a nice place against a long wall. Welcome to the U.S. suburbs where design needs to be functional. The little island is not half bad looking, either. I'm going to do me on this one unless or until $ starts falling into my backyard from the sky. And yes, if I ever buy a dupe, the designer has def. not lost any money because I could not afford their pieces anyway. 🙂 Thanks for explaining the 98% to those who don't get it, Nick.
I hide my microwave inside a credenza that I use as a coffee bar. Hate looking at it, microwaves are ugly. I DO actually like my vintage-looking Frigidaire toaster because it's aesthetically pleasing. 🙂
All my timber furniture is vintage/antique. I found the quality, materials and/or craftmanship is much higher than anything i could afford new. I do try to stick to particular styles. And i love love love art deco lamps.
this is key - it's so hard to find new furniture that's made of real, quality wood. Most of my "good wood" is thrifted, and especially if you're willing to put in a bit of elbow grease to refinish it, you can end up with some really gorgeous pieces for relatively low cost.
Speaking of art deco: my desk has a vintage, cast iron, art deco base, with an oak slab on top. I think I paid about 50 euros for it on ebay. It's priceless to me :)
When I redid my kitchen I let the microwave go completely. I no longer needed it. Thank you for the recognition
Nick! I'm surprised you didn't catch this - have you ever looked at the inside-top of a below-counter microwave? Many people don't see the top, so cleaning it is 'forgotten' or given a cursory wipe - yep, sides and bottom cleaned ; kinda the same thing with over the range microwaves - who gets a stool just to wipe out the back bottom well? (looking at you teenagers!) As we get older, getting down to clean that below counter microwave can get tricky. Counter top within a 'garage,' thank you. I agree with your other points.😉
I think it’s wonderful that you recognize that most people can’t afford the very best design and not make us feel terrible because we can’t. thank you for assisting us who can not afford the very, very best to choose good pieces to create a beautiful home. You are a doll…..just love you to death!
Grew up with a countertop right next to the table so all we had to do was turn around in our chair to grab the food while sitting down. Loved that.
Love your take on dupes. If you like time design, but can't afford the name brand, it's okay to get a dupe. The style is more important to me than the name or price.
Yes! It's not like clothing with a label on it. No one knows the brand or price of your furniture, just the style and vibe of it. So I say good on you for being financially responsible 😊
Agree
7:25…cracking up because that dresser on the right is absolutely the exact dresser I had from birth until age 26. 🤣 At that point I donated it to my brother and it was modified to include a change table on top, for my infant nephew. They’ve gotten rid of it now, too. Cannot disagree, it’s pretty awful now, but also….omg, my childhood dresser is “vintage”. 😭
Also, I agree with the under-counter microwave (not necessarily in an island, but low down). It’s so much better than over the stove or sitting on the counter. It doesn’t stand out so much, but is still easily accessible. Don’t want kids to mess with it and cause problems? Learn to use the lock feature. By the time they’ve figured out how to unlock it, they should be old enough to know not to mess with it.
Well, I didn't think about below counter microwaves before this...
But now I have this mental image of a 3-year old putting a metal fork in the microwave with their mac and cheese and putting their face right up against the door because they want to see the cheese bubble. OR an angry elementary kid getting revenge on their sibling by putting their pet lizard in the microwave.
So those are both horrifying...
Omg thank you about the thrifted finds! Influencers and the like are always talking about thrifting things (at least the ones I follow) and the way it’s presented is as if it’s so easy to find a good thrifted or vintage piece and it will be sooo much better than buying something modern and new, and it’s about the most out of touch advice I’ve heard. I thrift so much of my furniture and decor, but that does not mean it was easy to find because in the area where I live in Florida, everyone’s trying to sell a bunch of coastal wicker crap or something equally offensive, or some giant heavy 90’s piece of furniture that albeit is in excellent condition but it’s dated and ugly and they’re obviously getting rid of it for a reason, and they’ll want an outrageous amount for it. Even the vintage and antique stores have slim pickings, and even if you find something good it will be much more than I would want to spend and I could have just saved myself a lot of time getting something new at the store for the same price if not less and just risk not having something that “unique”. I love saving a buck, I love being sustainable, but it’s not always a practical solution for everyone if you live somewhere po-dunk and have limited resources available. The FB marketplace here is not the same as the FB marketplace in NYC, and influencers gloss over just how much crap you have to wade through in order to find something good, because there is so much that is not good when you thrift and not everyone has the personality or patience for it.
Come to CT the vintage is awesome!
I have a dupe… It's the Fox coffee table designed by Diego Giocommetti - it's 100,000 by him and I have a reproduction that's probably worth 5000 which I am totally happy with...inherited it from my mother....❤️your videos
Recent below-the-counter- microwave convert here 🙋♀. Now we have a pretty hood and sconces above the stove and a drawer microwave tucked away under the counter. Makes more sense than reaching up and above a potentially not surface. And the eyesore is gone.
Love this and totally agree! Thank you. And “just because it’s vintage doesn’t mean it’s good” 😂 - so glad you said it!
I got a used restoration hardware maxwell leather sofa from kijiji for free, it has a few cat scratches on it. Nothing that a leather cleaner and leather conditioner can't help with. I agree with your point about vintage stuff, just because it's vintage doesn't make it good and just because it's new or a dupe doesn't mean it's bad. There needs to be a balance between new and vintage
YES!!! Beautiful spaces for the 98%! *Runs off to paint a piece of cardboard and stick it on a picket.*
You made a great point about metals. We built a new house this last year and I put in matte black, not because it was trendy but because it was the perfect metal for our style of house.
Same. Built a farmhouse, because we actually live on a 70 acre farm, and tried to stay true to the environment. No signs though.
@@jeanettepugh6017 I bet it looks wonderful with the farm property.
Lol love the ongoing death and revival of brass 😆
Just wanted to say I found your channel a few months ago when I was redoing my bedroom and I love your vibe!
If you’ll consider it, I’d love an episode on…stuff. Like when you have a lot of one thing in your home. Maybe you’re a collector or playbills or lego builds, or in my case I’m a librarian and have a crap ton of books but don’t quite know how to incorporate them into my space in a way that works. I’d personally love some advice for that! 💙
As a short girl, AMEN to the lower microwaves that I can actually see into, but also I really need my kids to be able to use it on their own. Yes, littles will need to be watched (gasp!), but parenting is so much easier when you can actually teach them to feed themselves and they can see in, too, to head off messes.
I enjoy your work. This was a fun video. I fully believe you should use what makes your eye and your brain happy. Don't worry about what is "in style." Bring on the brass, the diamond tiled floors, the paisley tapestry fabric, bring on the COLOR. Be happy, surround yourself with things that make blue days better, makes you smile, brings you joy. Go for it. The clock is ticking - keep your life simple and happy. You won't regret trusting your own taste, and spirit.
Love your stuff. Depending on your definition of "vintage", you can get into some really bad design eras. I think of "antique" as furniture that is at least 75 years old (pre-1950), preferably over 100 years old (pre-1920's.) Whereas "vintage" can be merely 50 years old (pre-1974.) Now you're getting into manufactured crap in a big way. 1990's? FORGET ABOUT IT. That stuff was (for the most part) absolutely hideous when it was new! Now it's hideous, warn out, possibly filthy, and impossible to refurbish or repair due to the way it was manufactured (to be disposable, actually.) A bulbous, enormous, on-the-ground, burnt orange, faux-leather, couch could have been in a pristine time capsule since 1980 and it would still be hideous. But it won't have been. It will have deep grime imbedded in every pore from countless dogs, cats, children, college students, and (rest in peace) someone may have died on it. NOOOO!!! Never buy soft furniture that old unless it's constructed in a manner that it can be reupholstered from the bones out. Hard woods that can be oiled and polished? Yes. Metals and Formica? Sure. I looooooove a 1950's Formica and chrome table. You can bleach it if needed. A squishy olive green recliner embedded with someone else's granddad's tobacco, hair oil, and who knows what? OH. HELL. NO.
For selling purposes, vintage can be from before the 00's as well. I have seen very nice 90's high end decor items, you are talking about the run of the mill stuff.
Jean nailed it. Upholstery, used, barf, shudder, ickmax.
Checkerboard hallway or kitchen floors, love them! Unless you do them in neon colours, they'll always look classy.
Same with pinstripe. Absolutely agree there!
A subtle pattern on my couch, throw pillows in dark velvet, a knitted blanket - those three things are interesting due to the fabrics being different from each other, but also the patterns not clashing.
Plus: they're comfy.
I bought a new house last year, and when we were renovating the kitchen, we debated the microwave placement for ages. Long story short, it's sitting on the counter, and that just works for us!
I love antiques/vintage furniture. I have several that are practical pieces that I combine with newer furniture. It makes my space more eclectic and beautiful.
If your food comes out of a microwave like an old shoe, you’re using it wrong. It’s a you problem, not a technology problem.
I agree. I use my micro often and rarely have that issue.
I thought the same thing 😂
My office dates to 1809. There are brass chandeliers in there. Nothing beats the warm glow of light on brass in winter. So cozy. But yes we have a brass man who cleans them.
I’ve got a microwave DRAWER in my island. Push a button, and the microwave slides open. I can load from the top.
I love it.
4.. Brass is gorgeous. The people who are dumb enough to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a piece of furniture because it has a designer name attached to it are the same ones following trends when we SHOULD be getting what we LIKE, regardless of whether it's in style or not.
My countertop microwave died about six months ago. A friend gave me over the stove because he was remodeling. And I haven’t had it installed. And quite frankly, I don’t miss it at all. I’m perfectly capable of doing everything without a microwave. Wow.😊
Yes! I got rid of my microwave ten years ago and I don’t miss it at all
8 years here - only 2 things: popcorn and heating bag - no alternative so I live without.
How ironic. I'm 60+ and until very recently have never owned a microwave. One was given to me as well. It sat on my counter taking up the whole space for months before I started using it. I don't use it often and to be honest if it stopped working I wouldn't miss it.
A lot of people, especially older people who rent and don't own, either can't justify a huge appliance or simply have no place to put one. I don't have a working oven or stove. I use a microwave, an InstantPot, and an air fryer. I use the microwave at least three or four times per day. I wouldn't want it below counter level, but I would love to have a "roll top" appliance garage door that I could close on it.
@@loca8048 same here... Popcorn
We have our dishwasher on countertop level. It is super useful when filling the dishwasher but also when unloading it. And you have much less mess in the kitchen. Love from Assen, the Netherlands
i was talked into getting a very expensive microwave drawer that's in the island... and I can't live without it now! It's so easy to use. Push a button and it slides open. No bending down. HIGHLY recommend if you have the budget.
Haven't heard of it before to be honest, but I find it strange that people think microwaves are a hazard. Like I'm a mom to small kids and the stove is such a bigger hazard. When it's opened it spews steam everywhere at toddler face level and I have to keep little ones away when it's working. A microwave is so safe to children my kid in kindergarten uses it by himself regularly. It stops the moment you open it and it doesn't get hot inside, only what you're putting in it does.
The hazard is a toddler putting something that shouldn't be microwaved into the microwave and starting it
I do not have a microwave- hate them-
Your take on all things decor .. never too serious ... always fun.
When I redid my kitchen, I had those tall IKEA units with shelves and put the microwave in there. Had the electrician put in an outlet to power it. The shelf above holds all the leftover food containers and lids. Below all the needed appliances not used all the time.
I agree 100% with Nick 💛! I just learned that people don't like putting microwaves in islands, in my opinion it was genius 😆 As for the "dupes", I think it's like vintage, it has good dupes and bad dupes. It has several qualities in the dupes, please do not buy the ones that when you look at them for too long they start to lean to one side, fray, or that it is covered with a sticky imitation wood (a laminated is less expensive, they are really covered in wood with texture, warmth and will last you over time)
we have a bosch combination steam and convection oven and we never use our microwave because it’s just better to heat up food in one of the ovens. 4:16
How do you re-heat things like hot drinks?
@@celticlass8573you don't. At all, never, ever, ever reheat drinks. Make yourself a new one.
@@Marisha0111 I don't believe in wasting food, so microwave it is I guess. 🙂
@@celticlass8573 drinks are drinks, food is food. They are not the same. But warming up anything that was not kept in the fridge is a bad idea.
@@Marisha0111 It's consumed, and made by someone originally. Of course it's food. Also, what do you mean warming anything not kept in the fridge is bad? Like beyond 2 hours or you mean?
My problem with the microwave in the island is that bending to use it multiple times a day (usually for tea and my heart sack) hurts my back. On the counter top is the best for me ergonomically. However, aesthetically, I do think it looks best in the island.
Nick! I’ve been binge watching all your videos and love them all so much! ❤ Would you ever do a video on how to style a small amount of open shelving?
Again, I agree with you on all points. My very sweet MIL has so many antiques and vintage pieces in her home. Some are gorgeous, but some are gawd awful. Every time I see a couple pieces I hear the Three's Company theme song in my head.
"Come and knock on our door, we'll be waiting for you..." Now that''s in my head for the day! 🙂
I love brass so damn much. It goes so warmly with all the green I use in my house and gives a more traditional/antique look when done right
On marketplace there are heaps of crap that people selling them think their crappy 70's ,80's or 90's cheap ass furniture is vintage cool and ask an arm and a leg for it, lol! It's nuts!
I remember that crap from back in the day and it was crap back then! Thanks Nick for pointing this out.😊
Must of my wood pieces are thrift furniture. But I "curate" them. I know what I am looking for, and only by quality pieces that resemble closest to it.
Hi Nick! Um...before I even watch the whole video I wonder why you keep apologizing for your views???!!! Not everyone will agree with you on every subject - I certainly don't...lol! But we are just having a conversation here which, to me, is what it's all about. You have a very awesome sense of design and an incredible sense of humor - we love you!! Stop apologizing 😛😍😍😍
He's Canadian.. he can't help himself! 🍁🇨🇦 (Sorry, I'm one too!)
@@canuckviolet3322 hahaha! You are sweet!
Get used to (and enjoy!) Nick apologizing. He eventually works himself up into a "don't like it? tough?" burst of attitude and it's all super endearing and funny. It's just Nick being Nick, really.
That comes with being a content creator. People constantly have to over-explain themselves to preempt having to soothe ruffled feathers otherwise. The stuff some folks are offended by is just mind-boggling nowadays
🇨🇦Sorry, not sorry for saying sorry!🇨🇦
It's just the place where we live. It's not complicated...buy what you like! Don't listen to anyone who tells you what they like or don't like...it's not their space. You do you.
Also, getting rid of the microwave above the range opens up space for an actual hood that is useful! Wow, I can’t believe I’m already renting three minutes into your video. Back to it now.
Please not one more basket or rustic plaster vase. Those wooden beads are getting old and boring also. Everyone has these items stacked on books in too many places
Many are dumping them, must be dozens of each newly arrived in the local non profit thrift every time I pop in.
But the older ones are half gone 😶 so unfortunately others are BUYING THEM to use...
Nick, can you show people how to differentiate between actual leather and pleather?
I can answer that. Pleather, vegan leather, PU, whatever it’s called by the marketing wizards, will be peeling, cracking, and dry-rotting. PU stands for polyurethane.
Smell it.
@@allisonangier1631 I would think that would be the big clue. Thank you.
I would LOVE an island microwave… but so would my German Shepherd! 😂
I completely agree with the accessibility of them, as my mother is disabled and has a lower cabinet (wheelchair-accessible) which holds her microwave and toaster oven.
My microwave drawer is under my single french door oven and its a perfect location. Easy to access and get my hot food out. It also makes stirring the food easier! It also helped to balance to look of the single oven in its large cabinet! I enjoy your videos!
So the thing to remember about "dupes" is that the high end original vs mass produced fashionable article is not just a contemporary thing. It's a split that is there in antiques and in vintage furniture. Indeed most vintage for we'd be finding for affordable prices were dupes in their day. And some were period reproductions as well. You can get a 1920s machine made cupboard in Jacobean style or a 1960s sofa in Louis XV style. So if you'd happily buy vintage "dupes" I don't see why you'd balk at buying contemporary mass produced versions. Especially as that chair looks in both versions to be a "period reproduction" of early 1960s Danish modernism. One high end, one mass produced.
Agree. Some of the most iconic modern designs (e.g., Barcelona chair) are nearly 100 years old. The originals will soon be actual antiques. Many mid-century modern designs are in the neighborhood of 60-70 years old.
Maybe because two things
(1) If a dupe survives to this day, it must have a reason, most likely because it's beautiful and quality enough. The stuff you buy from Amazon and Temu today will be in a landfill in 5 years.
(2) Even they were dupe in their day, they would likely be hand made and still much higher quality, compare to mass-produced crap of today.