Is 'dated' dated?

8 years ago

I came upon this lovely bit in the second volume of Proust's "in Search of Lost Time" yesterday:

"....since all fashions, having arisen from a desire for change, eventually pass away for the same reason..."

So, if you are thinking of

gutting a completely useful kitchen because you think its out of date, have no fear! In another ten years you'll dislike it as much as you do now.

Do what you love, even if (especially if) its not in style, you might like it longer.

Featured Answer

jmm1837

8 years ago

In terms of a home, I think good, functional layouts are timeless. Everything else will date - some things more than others (faux tuscan, anyone?). At the same time, there's nothing inherently wrong with some current trends - subway tiles, shaker cabinets and grey walls may be overdone, but they're not ugly - they may seem dated in 10 years, but they'll still look pretty good whereas tuscan won't because it never did.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (20)

Dawn Reid
8 years ago
Agree. I find it funny how so often an OP is told their kitchen, furniture, bathroom, decor etc is "dated" and they should get rid of it, whether they like it or not. Then on the other hand, when someone posts something they really love and want to do, a bunch of people tell them not to because it's a trend and not timeless. Pretty much everything you put in your house this year will lot be in style in 15-20 years. Who cares about any of that as long as you love your look and it's cohesive and well done. Who wants a completely timeless house that you do not love?
Related Professionals
Liberal Interior Designers & Decorators · Roswell Interior Designers & Decorators · Fort Smith Architects & Building Designers · Charleston Architects & Building Designers · Hackettstown Architects & Building Designers · Montrose Architects & Building Designers · Seattle Architects & Building Designers · Quincy Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cumberland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Westminster Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Marietta Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Zanesville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Williamsport Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Tucson Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Chula Vista Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
teamaltese
8 years ago
Something with trends. Bottom line, if you love it, use it!
teamaltese
8 years ago
SAME THING, not "something". Stupid spell check.
chiflipper
8 years ago
Do you remember bell-bottom pants or pedal pushers? Now they're back as flared legs and capris. If you love it...it's "in style". JMO.
PRO
JudyG Designs
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Mick’s pants…dated. Mick's old, but not dated; still rockin’ (like moi).

Holy Cow! How much did he weigh?
chloebud
8 years ago
Totally agree with "love it, use it."

ninigret, I have a Madeleine pan just like your photo. :-)
NJ Mom
8 years ago
"Dated" = old and boring/overdone

"Retro" = old and cool

It's all in how you look at it.
hollybar
8 years ago
"Dated" is the new "vintage" which is the old "retro" which was the new "timeless" which might be the new "classic". Or you could play that sentence upside down and backwards to make sense of it. ahhhh,Madeleines!
NJ Mom
8 years ago
"Dated" = 20 years old

"Retro"= 40 years old

"Vintage"= 80 years old

"Classic"= been going in and out of style for the last two centuries
NJ Mom
8 years ago
And only a DeLorean is timeless! (Have I "dated" myself?)
Irene Morresey
8 years ago
If you love it, go for it. No one else has to love it, you are the one living with it. As long as family give the thumbs up lol
Judy Mishkin
Original Author
8 years ago
chloebud, i wish i had a pan like that. mine is the gold tone non stick from williams sonoma. altho i gotta say the madeleines come poppin' out of mine really nicely.
(shown on my quartz countertop... sure to be dated.....)
User
8 years ago
Now I want madeleines and I still hate my kitchen. LOL
K Laurence
8 years ago
If you love it’s never “dated” .... & I had to laugh at the comment above stating that Tuscan never looked good , hmmm , I better let my relatives in Tuscany know ... I guess it’s all about your perspective. My brother’s beautiful Tuscan style home in the Wine country in Napa still looks good to me.
NJ Mom
8 years ago
Quartz isn't dated, it's trending! (What's the difference between "trending" and "trendy"?)
jmm1837
8 years ago
In my defence, I was talking about what passes for Tuscan in the US - which usually bears very little resemblance to any home I've ever seen in Italy.
connie912
8 years ago
Designer Karl Lagerfeld “Trendy is one step above tacky.”
K Laurence
8 years ago
Last I heard , Napa is still in the U.S. .... lol.
jmm1837
8 years ago
K Laurence - please note the use of the words "faux tuscan" and "usually." Words have meaning. I didn't suggest genuine Tuscan was ugly, nor that all Tuscan decor in the US is bad. But a lot of it is, and I stand by that. And that's why much of it hasn't stood the test of time.