Yes, people are delusional if they think that their 1999/2000 era sofas still look "classic" today. It might be well maintained, but it still looks dated.

And that's fine, my MIL still has her furniture from 70s and 80s, and she thinks it's classic too. But just don't expect everyone to want the same in their homes.

As others have noted, most furniture starts looking worn in 15 years. Not wood stuff, of course, but any upholstery. And stuff like bed frames and dining room tables tend to get so much wear that they could use to be updated every 15 years. So i buy some classic wood pieces, but the rest of the stuff needs/can justiably be swapped out every 10-15 years. And the reality is that "classic" pieces of 20 years ago look like a style from 20 years ago.... much like suits may be classic, your classic 3 button suit from 2002 looks pretty silly today. Same thing with your classic sofa.

I like to update my decor regularly, but only do trendy items that are easy and inexpensive to change out when I want to have a new look. Wallpaper isn't too $, nor are throw pillows, colorful vases, lighting, etc. I buy classic rugs, furnishings and case goods. I have several antique pieces as well, these items will stand the test of time. It's really important to me that I like how my home looks and feels and my taste does change over time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not decorating exactly, But I do wonder about the whole Open Living Concept thing. Folks will say what were they thinking? Have to put up walls before I move in.

i think that is here to stay. who is going to want to close kitchens back up away from the living room? however totally open as in no walls at all on the main floor yes, i agree, will go the way of mid century moderns,

Unless you live in rowhouse. The no walls at all on the main floor is one of the best ways of getting light into all the rooms. I also love being able to see the kids wherever they might be on the floor while I'm in the kitchen.

Kids are only that age for three, maybe four years tops.

After that you will be dreaming about having walls. Once they start managing the romote control, playing video games, helping themselves to snacks and bringing gangs of friends over. You are going to hate the person who came up with the idea of open floor plans.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they plan to remodel in 15 years and can afford to do so?

Yep, I think that s all there is to it.

Remodeling makes me want to tear my hair out, so I purposefully picked out stuff to be as neutral and durable as possible so God willing I can get away with never remodeling this particular house again. But I can see how other people might actually enjoy the decorating process.

Remodeling and redecorating are two very different things. You know you can redecorate without remodeling, right?

I hate redecorating too. I'd rather do almost literally anything else with that money.

Anonymous wrote:Furnishings from 15 years ago + look tired and dated, even if you think you chose classic things.

Yeah, this is just not true. Maybe if all your furniture is ikea quality.

Anonymous wrote:it seems like we are in an age of neo-70s style gaudy interior decorating: bold patterned wallpaper, furniture, rugs, clashy lights, etc. all of this stuff looks good now but will clearly look as awful as shag carpeting and reflective mirror blinds in 15 years. this seems like a huge waste of money. why don't people invest in more traditional styling?

Because I can't even imagine having the same furniture in 15 years as I do now. That stuff is so easy to change.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they plan to remodel in 15 years and can afford to do so?

Yep, I think that s all there is to it.

Remodeling makes me want to tear my hair out, so I purposefully picked out stuff to be as neutral and durable as possible so God willing I can get away with never remodeling this particular house again. But I can see how other people might actually enjoy the decorating process.

Remodeling and redecorating are two very different things. You know you can redecorate without remodeling, right?

Furnishings from 15 years ago + look tired and dated, even if you think you chose classic things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not decorating exactly, But I do wonder about the whole Open Living Concept thing. Folks will say what were they thinking? Have to put up walls before I move in.

i think that is here to stay. who is going to want to close kitchens back up away from the living room? however totally open as in no walls at all on the main floor yes, i agree, will go the way of mid century moderns,

Unless you live in rowhouse. The no walls at all on the main floor is one of the best ways of getting light into all the rooms. I also love being able to see the kids wherever they might be on the floor while I'm in the kitchen.

Anonymous wrote:Not decorating exactly, But I do wonder about the whole Open Living Concept thing. Folks will say what were they thinking? Have to put up walls before I move in.

It's a change of lifestyle. If you have servants you want closed off rooms. It's great for small and larger homes. Not going anywhere unless you have 20000SF mansion and a large staff.

Anonymous wrote:Because they plan to remodel in 15 years and can afford to do so?

Yep, I think that s all there is to it.

Remodeling makes me want to tear my hair out, so I purposefully picked out stuff to be as neutral and durable as possible so God willing I can get away with never remodeling this particular house again. But I can see how other people might actually enjoy the decorating process.

Anonymous wrote:Not decorating exactly, But I do wonder about the whole Open Living Concept thing. Folks will say what were they thinking? Have to put up walls before I move in.

I don't think so. I grew up in a home built in the seventies and it was open floor plan, and it's still open floor plan. I think both design choices are here to stay, people typically gravitate towards one or the other. I prefer open with some sort of divider, like pillars or half walls, but nothing completely closed off.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because they plan to remodel in 15 years and can afford to do so?

But if you just get nice traditional (non-vomitatious) stuff it will last a lot longer than 15 years.

And it also won't speak to my personal style and tastes, and will look like what everyone else has.

I think fifteen years for updating/refreshing/remodeling is a great schedule in regards to home upkeep.

Anonymous wrote:Not decorating exactly, But I do wonder about the whole Open Living Concept thing. Folks will say what were they thinking? Have to put up walls before I move in.

And giant houses generally -- people will have to deal with getting rid of all that stuff (or their kids will) and will wonder why they thought they needed a living room and a family room and a home office and a guest room, each in their own space.