When I moved into my first apartment, I thought it would be absolutely adorable to paint brightly-colored moldings and window frames to offset the plain cream-colored walls. I agonized over hues, hung paint chips everywhere, and finally settled on the perfect combination. The result? Disaster.
Sometimes we have creative brainstorms that turn into something interesting, a quirky accent that really works. Other times, we end up wanting to call FEMA. But at least decorating disasters don’t just happen to us. The pros who make stuff don’t always get it right, either.
Here are some design ideas that might look good on paper, but actually living with them? Please, just no.
3D Decorative Wall Panels
I found these on a flash-sale site, which confirms my suspicion that sometimes things go on sale for a reason. As in, nobody wanted them. The idea here is you buy 12 panels, 20x20 inches each, so you can give one wall an interesting texture that you can either leave neutral or paint kicky colors. To which I say (a) I never had the urge to make my walls bumpy, and (b) this one looks like a freakin’ mausoleum.
Sequined Throw Pillows
Is it just me, or should pillows be comfortable? I realize there are people who array their beds with fancy cushions every day, and nobody’s allowed to get into bed until everything has been cleared and, presumably, placed into little pillow containers somewhere. These are, I guess, the same people who never throw themselves on the couch, flick on the Twilight Zone marathon, and fall into a drooling nap in celebration of being left alone for three hours. I do not want to awaken from such a nap with a sparkly nostril and 3-D decorative patterns on my eyelids.
Rugs That Are Pictures
Admittedly, I’m biased when it comes to rugs. Due to our grandfathers’ traditional choice of career, all Armenian women enter marriage with a dowry consisting of six to eight full-sized Oriental rugs in deep, stain-hiding shades of maroon, blue, and maybe a little cream. So when you show me a rug that you’re supposed to look at and say, “Hey! The Eiffel Tower!” I say have to ask … where, on the Eiffel Tower, does the coffee table go? And if you love Paris so much, why don’t you know that no self-respecting Parisian would have such a rug? It’s like wearing a Superman costume with a picture of Superman on it.
Wall of Fire
I love a fireplace in the right setting. This is not the right setting. Fire bad. Wall wood. House burn. Even Frankenstein know this. Why Kohl's not know this too?
Do you ever pore over an interior design catalog and wonder, “Who does this?” What professionally-suggested decorating disasters baffle you?
Images via Hayneedle.com, WestElm.com, Amazon.com, Kohls.com
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Comments 21
I actually like the wall fireplace. Even though it may be dangerous I am sure the manufacturer surely had to make it out of something that wont catch fire.
The wall panels are horrendous. I know someone with them on their ceiling, and she said when she sleeps at night she feels like she's in a masoleum lol.
Pretty much every room design I saw on Trading Places was horrendous.
And, yes, the wall o fire looks scary!
I bought a bed from ikea once....I fell into bed once (you know, when you stand facing away from the foot of the bed and let yourself fall backwards onto the bed?) and it BROKE! Didn't just come apart, the foot of the bed frame snapped in half! I only weighed 110 pounds!
Dying laughing - love it!
lol
I remember an episode of Trading Spaces where Hilde hot glued chicken feathers to an entire wall. I think the homeowner cried. Also, I hate those cheesy full wall murals made out of a nature photo. I do however like the 3D wall panels, but have never bought them due to the price.