July 2025: So, I am a fan of HGTV. I admit it. I especially like the shows that result in the transformation of older homes into appealing living spaces. Seeing very sad looking, “previously-enjoyed” space renovated to something useful and pleasing for the owner is always a “feel good” (albeit short lived) moment. And renovation versus a new build is clearly a “green” strategy which we need more of. The shows are also easy to watch while doing my cardio work at the YMCA. I can begin to pay attention anytime during the episode and still have a pretty good understanding of what is happening. And my brain doesn’t really have to work all that hard. Of course, there are days when even HGTV can challenge my brain.
I do wonder at times about the trends being pushed on these shows. For example, there is currently interest in using a great deal of black, including black kitchen cabinets, black floors, black wall tile, and black fireplaces. First off, although no one cares or should care, my preference would always be to use deep blue if you feel the need to go dark. Aside from my personal preference, a lot of black can make a space seem dark because it sucks in all the light and I generally prefer a brighter feel to living spaces. Yes, that is just another personal preference, I guess. While working in Rochester on a Senior Living project (years ago) we invited interior designers in to pitch. A woman with decades of experience in the Rochester NY area made it clear that given the perpetual dreariness of Upstate New York, you really need to consider colors that reflect light rather than absorb it, like pale yellows and golds, to avoid running into things all the time: Bounce it back baby! Well, the very talented woman did not get the job, but she taught a worthwhile lesson all the same.
And then there is very specific customization. Have you ever watched a show where the hosts decide to provide the property owners with a cabinet in the kitchen or laundry room that houses bowls for both dog food and water? I love our pooch dearly, but what a waste of storage space. Why can’t the owners simply put the bowl on the floor like everyone else. Our Jade likes to eat with us, so I have no reason to believe that a built-in space for a bowl would be at all helpful, given we have no plan to eat in the laundry room any time soon, whether Jade has a permanent bowl there or not.
I also do not understand why someone would want rough, unfinished slabs of wood trim around the doors and windows …. or around the fireplace… of their home. How do you clean this kind of dust collector?
I just wonder when the time will come when a new owner looks at these spaces with built ins for dog dishes and climbing rock walls for kids, rough wood trim and ask, “What were they thinking? “Don’t we do that today? Consider the homes built around the time of Doris Day movie’s (1960”s) with scalped trim everywhere, built in dining sets in the kitchen and bright pink tile bathrooms that we occasionally see these days: Isn’t the first question that comes to mind,” What were they thinking?”
And of course, I conceptually believe that the home should reflect the owner’s personality, but sometimes I observe a very worried look on the face of the designer when the show gives the homeowners the opportunity to select whatever they would like: their own wallpaper, bathroom tile, light fixture, or wall color. And I believe I understand why. When done, the ultimate “look” of the space will be seen as reflecting on the skills of the designer, no matter how the design game is being played on the show. And they might have a difficult time explaining lavender tiles in the kitchen or the bright yellow “ears of corn” wallpaper in the main bedroom.
And then you have Open Concept floor plans. Are Open Concept designs that are promoted on HGTV, where the Great Room space flows right into the kitchen, necessarily for everyone? The designs look beautiful and offer the suggestion of very comfortable living and great space for gathering “friends and family (a very common phrase on HGTV).” To me the designers seem to be interested in envisioning an environment where family members and guests can gaze fondly into the kitchen area as the homeowner-chef prepares a four-course meal while carrying on an in-depth conversation about the most recent symphonic concert, all the while having nothing at all sitting on the countertop.
What is the reality of Open Concept Living? The idea sounds magical. Jim and I have this big, combined kitchen and Great Room space in our current home. However, it is not always fun for me when we have company, and I am responsible for making dinner. I enjoy cooking, I like to have people over for dinner and I even get a kick out of the organizing work involved. However, I also need to have some uninterrupted, unseen, quiet time, to make sure everything goes as well as it can. I am not worried about being a perfectionist because we know that is not going to happen. I simply want to make sure it is good enough that folks will at least consider coming back again. What I do not love is having guests, whether our “version” of family or friends, looking over to the kitchen area while sipping wine on a sofa in the Great Room, and sincerely suggesting that I am working too hard. Who else is going to do this I interject, wishing there was a big wall (with a door) between me and them, at least just for the moment.
Recently Jim and I hosted an Orphan Indoor Picnic to celebrate the 4th of July. Those invited had no family in town, so at least for the 4th, they were orphans. And although you should have a picnic during this summer celebration, no one wanted to even take a quick tour of the patio garden due to the heat, so we picnicked at the dining room table. Very civilized. Anyway, during this gathering I conducted an informal survey about Open Concept kitchens. In my sample of three, everyone agreed that having a designated cooking space is a far better option. This is an older crowd, but the rationale is practical. Explanations include: I need to concentrate, I don’t want to have to explain myself, I feel guilty when the countertop is messy, and I want to swear without being heard.
So, a quick story about messy countertops. Years ago I went to dinner with my friend Suzanne at the home of one of her former teachers. We had a very traditional and delicious Italian meal with antipasto, salad, pasta, an entrée with several vegetables, a light cake and fruit. Food simply kept coming. At some point I had to excuse myself to use the bathroom and in doing so, walked through the kitchen. I was amazed. There was not one thing related to our meal on the kitchen counters; the surfaces were perfectly cleaned. As we left the teacher’s home, still recovering from an absolutely wonderful dinner, I asked Suzanne how they did it: How did they prepare that many courses, and deal with all the dishes, without disturbing the kitchen? “Oh,” said Suzanne, “The kitchen you saw is just for show. They cooked and prepared the food in a separate kitchen in the basement.”
So there HGTV!