"Things that make your home look DATED!"

The implication of these kinds of observations about interior design is that looking dated is bad and you ought to do something about it.

I would like to totally question the premise. What does it mean when something looks "dated" it reminds you of the past? It recalls a trendy thing that has been forgotten. It's "out."

There is power in this, and fashion and design is all about things that give us powerful emotions.

What is much worse to me than something looking "dated" is when you can tell that someone is desperate trying to hide or work around the out of style elements in a space to make them fit with the new trends. Then they end up failing twice.

Embrace the old and ugly.

Here are some bathrooms that are "dated from the 90s"

Can you feel the ick? But it's kind of amazing, right? It would be a shame to try to make these spaces look like the hyper smooth, "mall zen" that's "in" right now.

The only way to make those bathrooms not look "dated" is to totally rip them out and start over.

And if they are functional enjoyable spaces to me that's criminally wasteful.

Here are the spaces that have been deemed to be in style (for the moment) I love these too.

What I love is the hot running water, the big tub and the interesting durable materials.

What is much worse to me than something looking "dated" is when you can tell that someone is desperate trying to hide or work around the out of style elements in a space to make them fit with the new trends. Then they end up failing twice.

Embrace the old and ugly.

Here are some bathrooms that are "dated from the 90s"

Can you feel the ick? But it's kind of amazing, right? It would be a shame to try to make these spaces look like the hyper smooth, "mall zen" that's "in" right now.

@futurebird wait what's wrong with these bathrooms, except for all the wood in wet areas, and except that they could have easily fit a larger bathtub in there instead of wasting space like that?

@IngaLovinde

There is nothing wrong with them.

They just look like they are from 20 years ago.

So my suggestion is that we recognize what is "dated" but not take it as a negative. There is something about the way that "dated design" can catch your eye, make you cringe a little and say "wow we don't do *that* anymore" that's really exciting. Thrilling.

Why not lean into it if the space is functional and enjoyable? That's a bold style choice.

In a few moments you'll have people wanting to copy you because the durable and functional "dated" design is the mother of "vintage" and "classic"

@futurebird @IngaLovinde I *really* hate to be the one to break the news, but the 90’s are approximately 30 years ago, not 20

What is much worse to me than something looking "dated" is when you can tell that someone is desperate trying to hide or work around the out of style elements in a space to make them fit with the new trends. Then they end up failing twice.

Embrace the old and ugly.

Here are some bathrooms that are "dated from the 90s"

Can you feel the ick? But it's kind of amazing, right? It would be a shame to try to make these spaces look like the hyper smooth, "mall zen" that's "in" right now.

@Bumblefish @futurebird maybe that's just because of where I grew up in, because for me, 30 years old bathroom looks like this

@futurebird

I notice you're not putting pictures of carpeted bathrooms from the 70s or 80s

"Things that make your home look DATED!"

The implication of these kinds of observations about interior design is that looking dated is bad and you ought to do something about it.

I would like to totally question the premise. What does it mean when something looks "dated" it reminds you of the past? It recalls a trendy thing that has been forgotten. It's "out."

There is power in this, and fashion and design is all about things that give us powerful emotions.

@futurebird

I wonder when dated becomes classic. Two generations difference?

@futurebird tbh, my face looks dated. Not sure how to deal with that beyond just leaning in.

@simon_lucy

It becomes "classic" when it's not associated with being too poor to update it, but rather rich enough to have "restored" it.

I really think it's THAT shallow.

@futurebird From Nicole Rudolph's new video (now on Patreon, out on Youtube tomorrow) talking about why the new "Art Deco" is nothing like actual art deco, and is aiming for luxury instead: “Or rather, what the manufacturers selling luxury are trying to convince us. Often, that's a combination of technology, skill, and the opposite of whatever the last 10 years of style has been. The late 1970s loved earth tones and heavy textures. Soft pastels and smooth surfaces are new, trendy, and therefore expensive, because you have to have just bought them.”

The only way to make those bathrooms not look "dated" is to totally rip them out and start over.

And if they are functional enjoyable spaces to me that's criminally wasteful.

Here are the spaces that have been deemed to be in style (for the moment) I love these too.

What I love is the hot running water, the big tub and the interesting durable materials.

@sinituulia

I have a knee-jerk negative reaction to "art deco" lately because it feels like its going through this cheapification process I've seen before that is depressing to watch.

It starts with authentic materials and craftsmanship, hard to find examples of high quality design. Then this get copied with a few corners cut. Then there is a design short-hand for the trend. A few colors and shapes ... Then you are in Target looking at an "art deco" lamp made of plastic.

The only way to make those bathrooms not look "dated" is to totally rip them out and start over.

And if they are functional enjoyable spaces to me that's criminally wasteful.

Here are the spaces that have been deemed to be in style (for the moment) I love these too.

What I love is the hot running water, the big tub and the interesting durable materials.