I posted an article in Homeowner HQ a few months back from the Washington Post that has stuck with me ever since I read it. It was about a study done on homeowners and the effects of home renovation media.

At first I was a little surprised with the title because that's not entirely what's wrong with HGTV, but when you dig into the rest of the article - it's so much more than that.

And it's heartbreaking.

But it’s helpful to know the HOW and WHY behind the way we subconsciously proceed with our house design and finishing.

“They’re seeing everything that’s wrong with their home and imagining when people come into their home [that] they’re also criticizing and scrutinizing and judging their home,” Grant says. “It really makes people feel quite uneasy about the decisions that they make in their home, and so they’re always kind of fearful about getting it wrong.”

I constantly tell my clients to do what they love, not what’s best for resale. Don’t want that 2nd sink in your ensuite or the sink in the laundry room - if you won’t use it then don’t buy it. But then I fall into the trap of telling clients to lean towards neutral for fixed items and throw in the pops of colour for items that you can easily change out.

Do I still agree? Yes.. and no. If you want a pop of fixed colour - do it! Anything can be changed, it just depends on the price people are willing to change. But if you follow a trend instead of what you like…

“…If you go for gold finishes everywhere, five years down the road, it’s not trendy anymore. Then you’re going to have to reinvest.”

No matter what, you will never win if you prioritize other people’s opinions over your own. Everyone’s opinions are different. Take the debate on stainless steel appliances. Some love it so much that they think you’re crazy if you don’t, and others can’t stand it. That is why we have options.

It makes me think of a home I designed a decade or so ago where specific things I advised the homeowner not to do. They did it anyways. Did some things change while they lived there? Yes. But they left certain things because they loved them so much.

After they sold (and it sold quick) I serendipitously met the new members. They loved everything about the house. EVERYTHING. They wouldn’t change a thing.

If you love it, someone else will. And if not, they'll change it anyways - whatever it might be. 

So design your home from a lens that you are the last owner(s) of this home. Design the home you want to live in every day. Isn't that the whole point?

— C.

Ps. Don’t listen to Zillow’s stats and read the comments for some encouragement 🫶🏼