Chebucto Regional Softball Club

@datarama

Yes IKEA copies western designer items because they are a western furniture mass producer. And the stuff in the the Bronx imports shop is also mass produced copies but of … something where I have not encountered the “real” version —

@burnitdown

That is restoration hardware I think.

I have deeply conflicted feelings about Ikea

This stuff isn’t *my* style at all but I decided to reevaluate my initial impression that it was nonsensical and impractical.

As a western mass producer, IKEA often copies western designer items in wood laminate and plastic. Since I understand what they are trying to do it can sort of make sense— but, I have never seen what *this^ furniture is trying to copy. I am missing the context.

Both places make furniture for middle class people— both are aspirational in their own strange way.

There is a furniture shop in the Bronx that has always baffled me.

But, recently? I had a revelation.

I was baffled because the stuff in their window is so showy and colorful. It’s just not what I’ve been taught to think of as “good design.”

But, then, I stepped back and considered their prices, the build quality of the furniture— and in that light it’s not that different than IKEA.

In terms of price or functionality or materials.

It just has a very different design agenda.

@ohmu

Where did you hear it wasn’t sustainable compared to wood and why?

@ohmu

cork?

@lapis

It's like in "Never Ending Story" when "The Nothing" came for the world of fairy tales an imagination.

Gray fake wood floor.
Gray boxes.
Maybe a dark brown accent as a tiny "treat" ... it's supposed to be sophisticated I suppose.

And if you make no dangerous choices no one can have an opinion about those choices, right?

(well I can)

@lapis

I thought this was due to landlords, but interior design has been VERY bland for a long time now. Even in single family homes where people ought to feel more free to have some colors without freaking about about "resale value"

Unless one is a "flipper" I think all the focus on resale value is a bit silly. And limiting.

@krnlg

Amazing recovery. I've worked on many multi-layer floors like that. I did a lot of summer jobs renovating apartments. Maybe that's why I have Opinions(tm) about these things.

@wx1g @gay_ornithischians

The guys I know who have it claim it 'just happened' and they don't know how. (I believe this.) It's hard to develop any natural sounding accent on purpose. One of the great mysteries.

The accent we have is the one we can't hear AT ALL.

@toerror

Sometimes there is parquet under the cheap vinyl. I've restored a few floors like that in my day.

@mattdm

I say keep it even if it is ugly at this point. It's rare.

The same designer then went on to say that the "new trend" in fake wood floors is more narrow planks.

Why would that be? Could it be because it's *absurd* to pretend that 8" wide planks on a huge "open plan" floor are "real" ? The simulation started to waver.

So, the solution? More narrow modest fake planks that might look more like real wood.

The cycle/game makes me sad. People are caught up in it. It's not like you have many other choices.

Hold on to the old and durable with your life.

@guyjantic

When replacing something it should be because it's beyond repair OR for something that is an upgrade, a significant one to durability.

So, I'd have less of a problem with replacing the old yellow vinyl (I'm told that's the better term) with IDK real tile, or wood. Maybe?

Still upsets me if it's in great shape AND old. When things are in good condition and old that's a sign of intrinsic quality and love.

@sewblue

Another reason not to rush to get rid of old things.

@burnitdown

It's EVERYWHERE

@oldoldcojote

That's an amazing floor. But I was talking about the cheap stuff that came on the roll. Is that more properly called "vinyl" ...?

@MisuseCase

It's just a new and harder to spot "pattern" But at this point it's used so much I can spot it. It feels like the linoleum did back in the 90s to me. Just, the obvious functional cheap option. It's fine. I guess.

In 30 years someone will be saying you need to tear out your "wood effect" planks for ... whatever they are on to next.

I guess not everyone can see that these are the same thing but from different eras. I will take the older one, please. Because real tile, real wood are not on the table in either case at this price point.

Frankly most linoleum floors of this kind have wear spots, or holes and yeah, replace that.

But if it's in good condition with more life in it why would you want your home to look like every other cookie cutter house out there when you have this amazing relic from the past that's still going strong?

This flooring was cheap, but with good installation and care it can last. And I think it's just more impressive to have that than... plastic wood, you know?