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My house was built in 1970 and is "open concept." There were cabinets hanging over the peninsula separating the kitchen from the dining area and we eliminated those during our remodel, but when you walk in the front door you can see kitchen, dining area and living room. So open concept is definitely not a new idea.
Yep. Other than the fact that HGTV loves it currently, I don't get the hate toward open concept. It has been around for a LONG time and has been very popular for a long time, especially in the modern and contemporary design circles where it has been popular in residential design for probably 60 years. I think some people are just very used to the more "traditional" style of housing and so open concept seems trendy to them apparently.
Yep. Other than the fact that HGTV loves it currently, I don't get the hate toward open concept. It has been around for a LONG time and has been very popular for a long time, especially in the modern and contemporary design circles where it has been popular in residential design for probably 60 years. I think some people are just very used to the more "traditional" style of housing and so open concept seems trendy to them apparently.
True.
When I was a kid, we lived in a house built in the 1960s. It did have a separate formal living and dining room (all one long room actually) and then it had a huge open den/dining/kitchen area. In fact, we lived in TWO houses with that very popular floor plan from that era, as I was growing up.
Oh, and stainless steel appliances were also in evidence during those years - but only in upper end homes. And back then we didn't have any of this "trendy" granite - most counter tops was either tile or Formica. And most appliances were either white, mustard yellow, or avocado green. Ahhhh, the good ol' days when we didn't have to deal with any of these awful "trends," right?
And just for the record, most new homes built in the 1960s and 1970s had popcorn ceilings which were only 8 feet tall.
My point is that every era brings it's own trends -it's absolutely unavoidable. But some have staying power and some don't. Open concept living and stainless steel appliances have had a very long run - I'd say they have surpassed the label of "trend." Granite countertops are popular for some very good reasons, and will probably be around awhile precisely because of those positives (personally I prefer some other options when it comes to the look - though I appreciate some aspects of granite).
When I was a kid, we lived in a house built in the 1960s. It did have a separate formal living and dining room (all one long room actually) and then it had a huge open den/dining/kitchen area. In fact, we lived in TWO houses with that very popular floor plan from that era, as I was growing up.
Oh, and stainless steel appliances were also in evidence during those years - but only in upper end homes. And back then we didn't have any of this "trendy" granite - most counter tops was either tile or Formica. And most appliances were either white, mustard yellow, or avocado green. Ahhhh, the good ol' days when we didn't have to deal with any of these awful "trends," right?
And just for the record, most new homes built in the 1960s and 1970s had popcorn ceilings which were only 8 feet tall.
My point is that every era brings it's own trends -it's absolutely unavoidable. But some have staying power and some don't. Open concept living and stainless steel appliances have had a very long run - I'd say they have surpassed the label of "trend." Granite countertops are popular for some very good reasons, and will probably be around awhile precisely because of those positives (personally I prefer some other options when it comes to the look - though I appreciate some aspects of granite).
This thread makes me laugh, because I just bought a house in spite of the fact that the countertops are white tile covered in handpainted pink and blue flowers and ribbons. It's my worst nightmare, lol! I've got a lot of work to do, but I'm looking forward to what the kitchen will look like when I'm done. And the sage green cupboards I'll have painted will be topped with a nice grey quartz countertop. Granite is way too busy for the vintage style of this kitchen.
Cutesy Victorian gingerbread already had a hot date with Mister Crowbar this week. That was incredibly satisfying. Next up, the white and brass light fixture that looks like it escaped from a demented ice cream parlor. I will save this kitchen from kitsch!
One more thing: Someone mentioned the stainless that doesn't show prints. I know some appliance companies call it Clean Steel (it's basically a laminated steel). I'm on my second Clean Steel fridge and will never buy anything else. So much easier to clean and less expensive than stainless! Plus I like the darker, almost pewterish color of it compared to stainless.
It seems to me that home shows have become more about the 'quick fix' the crew comes in and totally changes a whole kitchen in no time at all. Gone at the days of Bob Vila and This old house where they acutally showed how to do the work and the workmanship that went into the finishes etc. Such a shame that everything has become so generic.
In less than a week, my lower cuppords were removed and replaced with new ones, the floor was covered with wood so I could retile over the existing floor, the stove was relocated and I got a new and wonderfully fuctional frig. The tile and lack of table are my problem. The table was so big it got given away. The little prep island has been expanded and can be used as one, but with all the rushing and mess and so forth, I'm not rushing to get it all shiny and done.
I wanted a WHITE countertop. Not fake marble white or fake granite white. Not metal but tile or just white. Lowes had quit selling the generic white countertops that were cheaper so it was done as a glue job. Lowes doesn't stock any premade one outside of fake granite in the now less than top notich brands.
Fake granite looks like, well, fake granite.
Frig is white but I do like the stainless sink.
The one heading up things did not like much that I requested changes in his cabinet that would make it identical to the old one. But he mostly did them. He did measure it origionally with a countertop and made the cabinet to that, then added another few inches with the top. So its now too tall but I really never want him setting foot inside my territory. But it is my firm belief that men should not design kitchens UNLESS they regularly cook meals in them. My table/island will be used for prep since the counter is too high now, but then the design ate up even more counter space.
Seeing as I was just glad to see the last of them and the mess they made of the rest of the house as stuff got moved in (and he needs to learn to measure) I don't want to ever remodel anything unless I design it and if it doesn't quite work out its my doing...
Concrete is also starting to catch on. Some amazing things can be done with concrete that can't be easily done with granite or a lot of other materials.
You ought to see some of the counters and islands with sinks where the entire item is concrete. Not a seam anywhere, one flowing surface end to end. Talk about easy to clean. No bothering with the method used to put in the sink, it is part of the entire item. You'd never know it was concrete.
One appliance manufacturer has created an alternative to stainless. It's designed to blend with the stones being used in modern kitchens. And no fingerprints! We will do this "slate" option when we reno next year. Slate Appliances | GE Appliances
Could we call this hard core decorating. I prefer a more friendly kitchen with white appliances. Trend away but white has always been with us and always will be.
Who wants their kitchen to remind them of a science lab. Kitchens are in homes.
Concrete is also starting to catch on. Some amazing things can be done with concrete that can't be easily done with granite or a lot of other materials.
You ought to see some of the counters and islands with sinks where the entire item is concrete. Not a seam anywhere, one flowing surface end to end. Talk about easy to clean. No bothering with the method used to put in the sink, it is part of the entire item. You'd never know it was concrete.
I would LOVE that.
I've also seen some really beautiful concrete vanities/sinks in powder rooms. Not long ago I saw one where the sink was shaped like a large nautilus shell, kind of like this. Not as easy to clean, but so pretty!
I watch House Hunters on a regular basis and it seems like everyone is always hung up on having granite counter tops and updated appliances. Like it could be the nicest house but if the kitchen doesn't have granite and stainless steel appliances then it's a total deal breaker and the couples or person house hunting gets all upset. What gives? I like granite and modern conveniences myself but I think marble counter tops look just as good and some laminate looks nice as well. And I personally can take or leave stainless steel appliances. That's just something I personally don't care about one way or another.
And some people do care about it, one way. Or the other way. We call those 'preferences'.
What gives is that some people have different ones than you. Why do some people find this so perplexing, the fact that their own preferences aren't the preferences of someone else? And why must it be portrayed as an using a word laden with negative connotations, 'obsession'?
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