OK, I’ll admit it; the house we’re about to look at was never a great piece of architecture. But it did have its own character which was reflective of the mid-century suburban neighborhood in which it was built. My issue with the house is not that it was remodeled, but that it was remodeled in a way that simply regurgitates every design cliché from the last decade of house-flipping television programs and decorating magazines. This same aesthetic is imposed upon all kinds of houses with varying degrees of success, and I personally think this look is already very dated. I have nothing against the practice of flipping when it is done thoughtfully (which isn’t very often). I wish that more flippers would work with the intended style of whatever house is being transformed rather than making it parrot whatever design fads the television is currently spewing. </rant mode>
Some, I realize, will like the new look and think that I’m being hyper-critical. No problem, but I’d appreciate it if you could let me know in a comment what it is you like about this transformation and why you find it appealing… maybe I’ve overlooked something.
First, we’ll take a look at the exterior of the house before its transformation. Sadly, I have no “before” pictures of the interior, but I’d guess that it was rather non-descript. The kitchen or bathrooms may have offered some vintage charm, but could have been boring, too. Following the “before” photo of the exterior, we’ll check off current TV-mandated “upgrades” one by one:
The house before it was renovated:
Yes, it’s a bit bland, but has potential. If I were going to flip this house, I would first banish all white paint from the exterior and go with a darker trim color. A darker roof would also help, preferably a gray one. The brick isn’t a great color, but I’d work with it when choosing a trim color as painting brick just leads to more paint in the future. The garage doors, which aren’t original, could be improved with something playfully mid-century in inspiration – and with some glass panels to relieve the monotony. I do like the recessed porch. Scroll down to see the new look…. Photo courtesy of Google Street View.
Painted brick and mandatory cedar “shutters” and posts – CHECK!
No, it’s not horrible, but it could have been better. I do like the new roof color very much. The painted brick will be a maintenance problem in the future, although a weathered look might look good. I like the fact that the recessed porch was emphasized, but think that the effect would have been stronger if the board and batten had been limited to the entry wall and not extended to the side walls… it’s rarely a good idea to make a color or material change at an outside corner. The cedar posts look lonely and beg for some balancing pilasters; their spacing is awkward. I just have a standing hatred for fake “shutters”. Photo source: zillow.com
The living room window has gone from large to just big and with lots of fake muntins. I don’t mind the board and batten surrounding it but see no need for it to extend to the side walls; it erodes the massing of the blocks on either side. The new garage doors at least are relieved by some glass, but the fake hinges and fake handles do not add any refinement. Photo source: zillow.com
Semi-open concept plan, shiplap walls, can lights, French doors and “plank” flooring – CHECK!
Sigh. I wish there were more photos of this space. Photo source: zillow.com
White kitchen with over-sized subway tile, “designer” lighting, center island, “plank” flooring and granite countertops – CHECK!
Did I forget to mention shiplap, can lights and a French door? The effect would be better if the island and base cabinets were topped with the same material. Photo source: zillow.com
Stainless steel appliances – CHECK!
Making a giant production out of the range hood is another “look” which is starting to look tired. Photo source: zillow.com
Crown molding with cheesy “cheater” corner blocks – CHECK!
Gotta have crown molding – even in a hallway. The French door is the same one that is seen in the kitchen – not sure that a swinging door with small glass panes is a good idea in this location… Photo source: zillow.com
“Barn door” with exaggerated hardware – CHECK!
Let’s be honest here; is this a product of an actual necessity or an actual fad? A pocket door would accomplish the same and look less faddish. Photo source: zillow.com
Powder room with shiplap, cedar ceiling, large subway tile and requisite vessel sink – CHECK!
I forgot to mention the large-scale pattern on the tile floor. Photo source: zillow.com
MORE “barn doors” – just to make sure you notice them – CHECK!
The wall space behind these things is utterly useless for hanging artwork or placing furniture. Photo source: zillow.com
Big Box-issued “dome light” for bedroom, crown molding and carpet – CHECK!
Fewer updates were made in the bedrooms… the original HVAC grilles are still intact. Photo source: zillow.com
Another “barn door” – CHECK!
…and more wasted wall space. Photo source: zillow.com
Master bath with large subway tile, shiplap, “designer” light fixtures, crown molding, loud tile floor, white everything and granite countertop – CHECK!
I actually like the floor tile, but it looks too busy in this particular space.The shower might need a door on it if keeping the floor dry is an issue. Photo source: zillow.com
I don’t dislike every modern “Rustic Farmhouse” style remodel, but it’s rare to find it in a context that works. When it’s slapped into so many different styles of old homes, it just looks out of place, especially something like this! The few places where I’ve seen it look genuinely good are in new-build homes that follow the same consistent style of sort of pseudo-country, with board-and-batten or other wood siding, folk victorian structural form (T-cross plan, moderate to steep gabled roofs, with prominent porch, and likely a metal roof).
Of course there are things that objectively just aren’t even practical about this, the “barn doors” being the worst, especially on bathrooms? Why do people think a door that barely blocks the view, let alone sounds and odors is a good idea for a bathroom? I think the barn door trend has got to have peaked, though. I saw a vanity at a home improvement store earlier this year with a little barn door across the front. That was my “jump the shark” moment for them.
Ultimately, I think the worst part of most flips (aside from the general focus on what a potential buyer sees in 30 minutes walking through while just covering up real problems), is the standard slapping the latest, hottest trend into every house, regardless of style. I guess most people have no concept of stylistic consistency, though. I just think it looks badly mis-matched, but then again, I’m probably in the minority along with other old-house enthusiasts and armchair architects.
Finally, as I remind friends of mine doing remodels, the hotter it is today, the more “dated” it will be once the fad has passed. I will always prefer classic style, consistent with the architectural context than today’s fleeting trend. That mindset doesn’t sell particleboard cabinets at Home Depot every 10 years, though, I guess.
Truly; a worse application for an interior “barn door” would be hard to find… it makes no sense for a bathroom (or a bathroom vanity)!
To expand upon your observation about the desire to sell “particleboard cabinets at Home Depot every 10 years”, trends are created and foisted on a gullible public for the express purpose of keeping the economy rolling. The economy has been structured in an inherently anti-preservation and anti-conservation manner. Good for Home Depot, etc., but very bad for history and the environment. And bad for aesthetics, too!
Yup!
If you haven’t already read it, the book “A Consumer’s Republic” delves deeply into the fascinating (and largely overlooked) background of this part of modern American culture and economy.
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/29448/a-consumers-republic-by-lizabeth-cohen/9780375707377/
Looks interesting – I’ve added to my reading list!
A lot of these trends I think gain popularity because they make people more acutely aware of the things they have. Water being in a physical container for a sink, walls made of tangible material instead of “wallstuff”, doors which show their presence instead of hiding into a wall. It’s part of the same idea which gets people drinking homemade tea from a glass jar instead of sprite from a plastic bottle. All great ways to get people really thinking more carefully about the things they own, take them out of the mundanity of life. Also a trend where people who can afford a renovation use the money trying to make themselves look poorer than they are while still trendy to disassociate themselves from billionaires.
Overall probably positive trends.. still hilarious here though!
That’s an interesting perspective that I hadn’t considered. While the awareness of some people might be enhanced in the way you suggest, I’m not sure that everyone’s awareness would be similarly sharpened. Vessel sinks, for example (on the rare occasions I have actually encountered them), only serve to make me aware of how contrived and theatrical they seem; they don’t give me a greater appreciation for water or sinks in general (although they do make me grateful that I have an old-fashioned sink). I find them annoying and not very practical or attractive. That might just be me, though.
I’m all for banishment of the mundane, but this particular house strikes me as trading one kind of mundanity for another, more current, version. Only things that are truly unusual, different, rare or extraordinary can transcend the commonplace. Any look so common as to be featured on television on a regular basis falls very short of that.
Still, however, I agree with you that there is some positivity in these trends; they do show that there is an interest in getting away from the blandness of the past 30 years which characterized the bulk of residential construction. Hopefully these current trends will gain some refinement and, in the process, produce something offering genuine originality and variety! I’d like to see some new styles emerge, rather than mere regurgitations of past efforts.
Did you also notice the third hinge on the swinging french door? I suspect they discovered that the first two hinges did not have sufficient spring capacity to close the heavy glass door, so they added the third. Why they added it near the top one rather than at the center where it would look normal beats me, though.
Hmmm. No, I hadn’t noticed the third hinge! I was sufficiently distracted by all of the “design” clichés that I overlooked it. I’m also stumped by the odd spacing of the hinges… perhaps to cover a flaw or correct a problem?
I surmise they added it to provide more spring-closing force. It may provide better support for the heavy door at the top as well, if the first top hinge was showing signs of stress under the heavy door.
Or perhaps they installed it there just because it was easier to reach than bending down to put it in the center 😉