The Estate of Things is a great design blog that I’ve become a fan of.  These two friends, Sarah Farrell and Betsy Moyer, not only talk about design, but conquer rehab.-to-sell projects with beautiful results.  Check out their Indiana House before and afters for some inspiration.   Sarah and Betsy have generously contributed to my design pet peeves, and I’m glad to have allowed them to get this off their chests.  I happen to agree, by the way.  Here’s to leaving the Tuscan in Tuscany!

  “There are many things to find annoying in the design world i.e. Keep Calm, subway signs, burlap sack pillows, shabby chic, wall decals, antlers. But there’s one thing I can no longer tolerate and that’s Tuscan-inspired interiors.   Clearly, I don’t live in Tuscany nor do I desire to live an old world lifestyle and I think its safe to say most of us do not. Despite this, the consumer market is flooded with Tuscan-inspired design. Should we all remodel the bathrooms in our 1950s ranch or Cape Cod to look like 18th century villas?
                 


Should we sponge paint or apply a faux finish to the walls of our family room to make it appear as though the room is centuries old? You could go to Home Goods or TJ Maxx and create this room in a few hours.

  And what could go better in a your Tuscan home but some wrought iron light fixtures. Don’t stop there with the wrought iron, carry it throughout Casa YourMama in decorative objects and wall art. I think you get the idea, we’ve all seen it.”

Looking at the pics above, it occurs to me that pet peeves seem to glom together.  I spy faux finishing, faux stone tiles, faux plants, and faux old stuff.

Thanks ladies!  Stay tuned for more pet peeves to come.

On another note, color is going up INSIDE Starnes!  My little baby is growing up.