Much that is currently trendy or popular in any period is was and always will be in poor taste. It's just easier for lots of people to see this in retrospect than it is at the time it's popular.

Posted by palimpsest: I still think this all boils down to the erroneous conclusion that because something is no longer trendy, or in style, that it is now in bad taste.

Posted by palimpsest" Much that is currently trendy or popular in any period is was and always will be in poor taste. It's just easier for lots of people to see this in retrospect than it is at the time it's popular.

You seem to be saying that things that are no longer in style are not in bad taste but that much that was ever in style will always be in poor taste. I'm confused.

It should be pretty clear. Good taste and trends/popularity are not directly related. Some things that are ugly and unflattering in most situations become popular for a while. Some things that are classically beautiful go through periods where they are not popular or are considered boring.

Some "dated" rooms are still beautiful. Some are considered quite ugly, but were the peak of popularity. They were probably pretty ugly then, they were just new, different and popular. Some current rooms and styles are quite ugly. Some new trends will endure because there is something "good" about them.

But trendy/ popular does Not equal beautiful or tasteful automatically. Dated does Not equal ugly or in poor taste automatically. And a lot of people seem to think they do. They give the two a causal relationship, whereas the relationship of the two is more independent.

Posted by kswl : I don't know whether this is so much a misunderstanding as a failure to read more carefully or perhaps a substitution of pop culture for information? ... Fake trees, house plants, hipster blogs and Rachael Ray.....where else but on GW would all these things come together!

No need to be rude, dear.

You mentioned one example of how trends come into being, while I have always found that topic fascinating, I had to note that design spotting is a complicated subject, but one that folks love to reduce to a simple formula, like 10% of design trends come from the street, 70% of trends comes from manufacturers pushing their products, 8% from...."

Posted by kswl : And semantics are important in your examples above--- things "past their sell by date" are, by definition, "not trends." When you use words and phrases outside their accepted meanings it is difficult for others to know what you're talking about.

Just to clarify: I was clearly stating that the phrase "past their sell by date" is a euphemism for "not on trend." (see: "Trends that a critic believes are passe", the predicate of the sentence you were confused by.)

I feel like I am reading an Ionesco play - oops there I go with another baffling cultural reference.

Here is a link that might be useful: passé

This post was edited by Lilylore on Sat, Nov 1, 14 at 12:19

Posted by palimpsest But trendy/ popular does Not equal beautiful or tasteful automatically. Dated does Not equal ugly or in poor taste automatically. And a lot of people seem to think they do. They give the two a causal relationship, whereas the relationship of the two is more independent.

Right, that's what I have been saying all along. I'm glad you finally get it.

I think I got it a Long Time ago without any help, but thanks.

I'm sorry, lily, my Intent was not rudeness, but again my mistake of assuming good intent until shown otherwise....carry on as you were.

Wow, this thread is highly entertaining!

kswl, you were not rude in the least.

Lilylore, I'd like to give you, as a newcomer to GW, some friendly advice. Reel it in a bit and try harder not to insult. I have found many of your posts, while interesting, quite rude.

Miz_M,
If I were going to have some trees inside my house, I'd want some like yours. Your house is lovely.
(We have lots of allergies, and the allergist told us to avoid plants, real or fake, inside the house. So we just enjoy them outside...for now.)

Lily,
I have learned so much on this forum, especially from Palimpsest's posts.
You might want to google them; they are always very informative.
Pal is extremely knowledgeable about design.
(As are many others on this site.)

Posted by allison0704 Lilylore, I'd like to give you, as a newcomer to GW, some friendly advice. Reel it in a bit and try harder not to insult. I have found many of your posts, while interesting, quite rude.

I value your opinion, but If this is you being friendly I'd hate to have a comment directed to me on a bad day.

Thank you so much, melsouth! :)

Get kittens. Then fake, dried, or real, you will have to move them as the kittens will not leave them alone and you will have mess everywhere. Ask me how I know!!!

;)

Lilylore, rest assured that you read my post with a wrong tone - a common problem on the internet. I am not known to ever cause a ruckus or be rude on GW or in real life.

Posted by allison0704 : Lilylore, rest assured that you read my post with a wrong tone - a common problem on the internet. I am not known to ever cause a ruckus or be rude on GW or in real life.

I am sorry if I misunderstood anything, but I think it was Samuel Clemens who said "Friendly advice is rarely either."

I wonder if the irony is obvious to anyone else: while my words are taken in the worst possible light, in the next breath I'm expected to give a little slack to others, because mistakes in tone are a common problem on the internet. I am starting to feel like the sorority sisters are giving me the ol' razzel dazzel.

Rest assured, my intention is not to cause a ruckus or be rude on GW or in real life. I was not taught to pepper my speech with phases of coy gentility like, bless her heart. I am plain speaking, and that may read as blunt in my writing. I know there are some who expect false compliments and sugar coating in every other sentence, and I am sorry if my honest speech comes off as rude, I only ask that people afford me the same considerations they expect for themselves.

Lilylore, you've accused others of being rude and you've been condescending which is not consistent with the general tone of these threads. Giving you the benefit of a doubt as you are relatively new, it has been suggested that you simply take it down a notch. No one is saying you need to give false compliments or be insincere. Rather, recognize that people posting here are doing so voluntarily in the hopes that they might provide some advice and insight to others who have asked for help, and take what is said with grace and in the spirit it was meant. Starting with the assumption that everyone here is well intentioned fosters more idea generation, creativity, problem solving, and participation, which is the whole point of being here.

I am fully aware of and have participated in many forums where arguments, contentious natures, ill will, defensiveness and attacks are de rigueur, but this is not one of them. If that is more to your liking, you might want to visit hot topics, which has a very different tone from home decor.

One must earn their stripes to bully around here, Lily.

This post was edited by OliveD5766 on Sun, Nov 2, 14 at 16:41

There are people on the forum who can be very blunt. There are people who can be pompous. I am probably both at times, and I also tend to get a little too didactic and lecture-y.

But most of us try to avoid making others feel too stupid to understand what we are trying to say, and that has been a tone of many of your posts, e.g. your comment about being trapped in an Ionesco play, and then essentially saying that it is too obscure a reference to understand.

With Google there is no longer such a thing as an obscure reference for anyone who has the desire to follow up.

So I think while we tolerate for the most part bluntness, directness, pompousness, being lectured to and even the occasional rudeness, we don't like to be called stupid--especially when it's more of a matter of not agreeing with or not particularly caring about certain things.

When I first saw this title, I thought it referred to Silk Floss Trees, like the one I have in my front yard. Mine is not blooming now, even though this is the season, as it has been growing very slowly ever since I planted it five years ago. The one I planted in Venice started blooming the year after I planted it, but I had much better soil there.

As for silk trees made of silk - I agree that it does not matter whether something is out of not. I know that what I like does not depend of what someone else likes or wants - if I like it, then I want it, and whether someone else thinks it is "so five minutes ago" is irrelevant to me.

Now that you mention it, however, I do seem to notice a lack of house plants in home interiors. I only have orchids indoors, but I sometimes bring in bromeliads when they are in bloom. I don't really have much room for plants, and I keep most of my orchids outside until they bloom. A few of them do better indoors, but most do better outside, providing I can give them enough shade. I keep my windows open a lot to get fresh air, except for when it is too hot and I have to use A/C, which is not that often, or when it rains, when is even more rare.

I do like seeing plants indoors, and I do keep a few dried flowers inside from some of my succulents, but I do not know the names of them. They seem to dry naturally, however, and add interest to some of the vases I have.

"I am sorry if my honest speech comes off as rude"

But one can be honest without adding additional comments such as the one to Newhomebuilder.

I don't know where y'all live, but plants inside aren't out of style here. At least not in my house. It gives me such daily joy to see live plants in my house and be able to take care of them. Especially with winter coming. I have some fresh rosemary and basil growing that I can use for pizzas and soup. When my African violets, amaryllis and Christmas cactus flower in the winter I am so happy. You may be happy with materialistic things, but I rather have plants.

I'm with you, Zackey, I love amaryllis and paper whites at Christmas, and will start potting mine in a few weeks! There's something about a living presence in a room that gives it a lift---give me a lift, anyway.

From my perspective, a home full of trends or 'in style' *can* equal bad 'taste' or even 'no taste', or maybe it's just *my* way of refusing to be dictated to. If you can't/won't/don't take on the decision of making your own choices, and only view those in decorating magazines/internet sites/etc. as being worthwhile, is your home *your* style and/or *your* taste, or 'bragging rights' because of a certain designer/brand/label?

I want to believe that designers/decorators would like us to do what is our personal 'take' on their spread in a magazine layout, not 'do' a room 'verbatim', right down to the last peacock feather in a Tiffany blue vase. If that includes a 'fake' plant or an antique, so be it. I have no problem with either.

Things seem to have escalated to a strange point now, and I am distressed by this sidetrack and the level of personal attack. But I feel I need to defend myself (maybe I shouldn't, if that is what I am being bated to do?).

Posted by palimpsest "that has been a tone of many of your posts, e.g. your comment about being trapped in an Ionesco play, and then essentially saying that it is too obscure a reference to understand. ...we don't like to be called stupid--".

I can only answer: "But, mom, she said it first."

I never suggested that anyone was dumb for not understanding the Ionesco reference or couldn't use Google, or it was too obscure to understand. I didn't even say that, you inferred it. It's disheartening that you would assume that about me and it's a little sad.

I was reacting to the rude comment made about my pop culture references which I don't believe pop culture reference are ever meant to be elitist. If you go back, you'll see I quoted kswl (I don't know whether this is so much a misunderstanding as a failure to read more carefully or perhaps a substitution of pop culture for information? ") which prompted the Ionesco reference. It was my attempt at irony, yet another pop culture reference, ha ha. But ya'll seem to have a double standard on these issues. In fact kswl seemed to be trying to make me feel stupid but her comment you folks seem to condone.

I also feel like I need to remind OliveD5766, if you drive by a playground and see 7 kids beating up on one individual, you don't approach that lone kid and tell her to stop being a bully.

These personal attacks toward me started with my very first comment on this forum when I was informed that the OP wouldn't appreciate my advice, when in fact the OP chimed in to state the exact opposite and welcomed my opinions. I must have stepped on someone's toes then, perhaps they didn't like my advice, perhaps they were a little jealous. I can't help that. But I am very sorry to lay witness to this follow up.

This post was edited by Lilylore on Mon, Nov 3, 14 at 16:47

"I feel like I am reading an Ionesco play - oops there I go with another baffling cultural reference"

"baff·ling
/ˈbaf(ə)liNG/
adjective
adjective: baffling
impossible to understand; perplexing."

"Eugène Ionesco (born Eugen Ionescu, Romanian: [e.uˈd͡ʒen i.oˈnesku]; 26 November 1909 ��" 28 March 1994) was a Romanian playwright who wrote mostly in French, and one of the foremost figures of the French Avant-garde theatre. Beyond ridiculing the most banal situations, Ionesco's plays depict the solitude and insignificance of human existence in a tangible way"

If you understand it because it's your expression, then the only thing I can infer is that it's baffling to the readers of your post. The readers of your post are other GW members.

Okay well, I am not going to pay any attention to any more of your posts at all so you can say whatever you wish. The knowledge you impart in your posts is outweighed by other negatives.

Oh brother!

Silk Trees: The Discussion and A Look Inside Artificial Plants For The Home

This post was edited by Miz_M on Mon, Nov 3, 14 at 16:44

Lilylore, I apologize for my previous comments. They were posted in empathy for you as a newcomer to GW, as I interpreted your comments as no more offensive than others in this thread. Who, by their longevity or perceived value are apparently excused of rudeness. Or they dismiss it as "the internet" without taking full responsibility for what they've contributed. So, on that note, I understand you were offended by my words and for that I am sorry. I had hoped a dose of sarcasm would lighten the tone but what an epic failure it was. (Unlike Miz_M's post above. Well played!!!)

Please continue to contribute to the collective discussions. I will read your posts.

This post was edited by OliveD5766 on Mon, Nov 3, 14 at 18:38

OliveD5766, thank you so much for explaining that comment, and I do feel foolish about that now. I read it 4 times, because it did seem sort of random, and I mistook the meaning each time. It makes so much or sense when you explain the intention.

And thank you for the vote of confidence.

My husband and I bought our first house during the rampant "fern bar" era which I just loved. Ferns everywhere and rubber trees!!! Heaven, right? We bought a huge real rubber tree for our first house dining room and set it in the corner by the floor to ceiling large window. After three years we sold our starter home and had to leave the plant in the dining room because it was too big and too heavy to move. The young couple were thrilled and I can still remember riding by to look at it from time to time, lol. I noticed when they moved to Colorado that the plant was still there….I wonder what the lifespan of a rubber tree is???

I have a few very tall palm trees in my house. At the time we moved in I had a fixation with the decorating era where potted plants were prolific in hotel lobbies such as in the Waldorf Astoria Hotel lobby 1931. It just really spoke to me and still does. I remember the old Canterbury Hotel Lobby in San Francisco was like that, too. So rich and full of life with those potted palms! (See linked photo for Waldorf Astoria circa 1931). I loved that conservatory greenhouse look:

[

[Traditional Sunroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-sunroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_12300~s_2107) by Fort Worth Design-Build Firms Period Homes, Inc.
But now, I'm starting to feel self conscious about them. They have that nervous look, should I stay or should I go?
My house:

Here is a link that might be useful:

Actually, I'm now inspired to buy some big trees for my sort-of-sunroom!

I love your potted palms, gr8day! I might want one that is a bit less airy for the space in front of the stairs, only because those airy Areca palms look best to me in front of windows because they let the light come through.

Love them gr8day! Your house looks lovely!

Real plants have real benefits. As written in a early post plants remove many dangerous chemical gasses from the home. NASA studied this while investigating long term living in space. Good old spider plants were the champs at purification.

good to hear. Despite them being out I have a note on my to do list to get one for the bathroom and the kitchen. :) Reminds me of my house growing up.

Zackey - I have a Thanksgiving in bloom and one just starting to bud out. So pretty!!

Thank you so much. Don't you love the Waldorf Astoria Lobby from 1931? I love everything in that room except for that pagoda looking clock thing in the middle. but the chair fabric and style, the plants and potted palms, the carpet .. beautiful. I think I was born in the wrong era by about 30 or 40 years. I wish I could make that photo appear in a post instead of a link but I couldn't get it to copy and paste. It's in the link though. I can't have real plants anymore because I am away from home so much, on the road a lot, but at least it gives me time to be on Gardenweb : ) The plants I have actually used to be alive. They are real leaves and palm fronds treated with something and then made into decorative plants for the home. They still aren't the same as living, breathing but next best thing. Thanks again.

here you go:

Gr8day,

I think it's out, as I've said. But I like it. I like plenty of things that are out, don't we all. I like your metal bench with the plants, it evokes the solarium feel. I love the room you showed with the birdcages and the tile floor, too.

My office (at work, not home) is full of industrial file cabinets and shelving, and my desks are piled high with papers. But I have a glorious window on the east wall, and I have three large plants that apparently love it here.

My Mom gave me this one for my birthday at least 10 years ago:

This Norfolk pine used to be in my Mom's house, until it outgrew her sideboard. I've had it in my office for 10 years.

Finally, the Attack fox-tail fern. Mom and I used to share this one - she kept it outside in the summer; I had it in the winter. It goes a bit wild for me - some of those shoots are 4 feet long. I cut it completely back 2 or 3 years ago, which it apparently liked.

My office is far from fashionable, but the plants make me happy.

Thank you gray wings for posting the photo! You are a genius! I love that room and could not for the life of me get it to copy and paste. Thank you mtn, and everyone. I often like things that aren't exactly in, too.

Christopher Lowell was big into big plants and trees. But the problem is, how do you keep them alive. If they look terrific but where you want them is not a good environment for plants, then "everlasting" is your alternative.

I had a lot of real plants at our last home (and the one before that) for over 20 years. When we moved, I decided I was going to give myself a break from the routine. I don't miss real plants inside at all, but do use houseplants on the back veranda during the warmer months. I brought in the MIL tongue and mixed sedum container. Not sure the later will winter over well inside, so will probably plant them in my outdoor sedum bed this weekend.

Allison, I just moved the sedum pots, placed in front of my garage, out of their pots and into the back yard bed. ;)

My parents spent their first honeymoon night at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in '42. Thanks for the photo. I don't believe I have ever seen the hotel on the inside.

I have a severely black thumb and as a result we have two silk trees. One is in our TV room tucked in a corner, and the other is in the eat-in area of our kitchen - we put Christmas lights on it and turned them on during Christmas season.

Many years ago I had a gorgeous spider fern. It started as a small plant and grew to become really big and full - I loved it. But then the day came when it was too large for the pot and needed to be transplanted. I did the transplant into a bigger pot and it promptly died.

SO sad. I swore I'd never have a real plant in the house ever again.

I've never thought houseplants were that big of a job? But I guess to me they are just part of life. I get my love of plants/flowers, etc. from my grandfather and my mom. It's in my blood! LOL

Allison - I have a potted sedum garden that does great indoors. Make sure it gets plenty of light. I'm thinking about adding another one in the kitchen.

Thanks, tinam. I might try to winter it over in the sunroom then. Gets plenty of light.

I agree tinam. Many plants are happy if you water them once a week, fertilize once a month, and rotate for even light exposure. Not much work. Yeah, sometimes you have to snip off a dead leaf but I can handle that.

From today's Cote de Texas post. Designer is Lisa Luby Ryan of Dallas. A plant in the corner

When my two Ficus Alii were one gal. sized, I potted them in 16" pots. They were easy houseplants--happy being watered once every few weeks in situ. Now they are 5 1/2 feet tall, and if I don't drag them outside for a thorough watering every few days, they drop leaves in protest. I have the pots on rolling casters, but the rooms have a few steps up, and down, to navigate. Now they are high maintenance pain in the tusheroonies. One gal.-sized plants of this cultivar are no longer sold to simply replace them.

No way will I go fake. But their days till eviction may be fast approaching...

I haven't read all the comments, but agreed with the poster who lived through all the trends of the spider plants, ficus, pothos, Christmas cactus, terrariums, and orchids. I was able to keep many of those plants for years because I had the right conditions for growing them. My ficus looked great, although I had to fight off bugs once in a while. My orchids did well until I moved again and did not have the proper light.
Since then, I've moved to a home with less spaces for plants, I have gotten rid of most of them, except for my Spider Plant that I bought in 1975!