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AIBU?

Copycat neighbours

54 replies

GerbitaFillsbottomMcSimmons · 16/08/2017 21:14

We're doing some renovations right now and recently I was in the back yard talking about a new type of Victorian door that I was ordering and I could hear our neighbour was also in the backyard at the time. Two weeks later I come home to see our neighbour has exactly the same door fitted! It's quite a specific Victorian design with angles on the top panels. Maybe a coincidence, however they don't even live in a Victorian home, it's a very strange looking 1980's house seems an odd choice.

Now this week we've just had our whole house painted a shade of white by Farrow and Ball. It's a specific shade and no other building in our borough is painted all over with this shade and we spent a fortune on the paint. So today our painter comes to me to say that our neighbour has asked them to paint their house, and that they want to do all the same colours so it 'matches'. Ummmm?

Thirdly, the front door is being painted and the undercoat was applied which is a dark grey. We get an email from our neighbour that evening, joking that we had stolen their vision as they are 'going' to paint their front door the same shade which they thought was down pipe by Farrow and Ball.. Thank god however that it was only the primer before our door will be painted black otherwise our front doors would also be exactly the same!!

Am I being unreasonable to be bothered by them copycatting our every design move? I'm really passionate about design and have some experience in it and have spent endless hours planning my scheme to ensure it is unique and timeless, it's really gotten under my skin! Do you think I could ask them not do it, if so how? Urrggh.

OP posts:

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youaredeluded · 16/08/2017 21:15

You lost me at specific shade of white...

IdentifiesAsASloth · 16/08/2017 21:16

Yanbu for being annoyed. You can't stop them though.

LaurieFairyCake · 16/08/2017 21:19

Just paint the whole thing pink. Then no one will copy you.

justgivemethepinot · 16/08/2017 21:19

What you need is some temporary 'hideous' curtains and zombie gnomes in your garden. Have fun with it!

Maelstrop · 16/08/2017 21:19

Specific shade of white? Wtaf? Don't discuss your design ideas in their hearing?

Imamouseduh · 16/08/2017 21:20

Love these posts where the person with the most basic run of the mill tastes things the world is copying them. You know who else uses F&B White and grey paint, OP? EVERYONE.

Trunkisareshite · 16/08/2017 21:20

You're buying a front door that was easily found and bought by your neighbour and you are using off the shelf paint, your house may look wonderful but it's never going to look unique.

It would be annoying though I can see that. Maybe ask if they want any tips as you're really into design and they obviously like your taste?

giantpurplepeopleeater · 16/08/2017 21:20

Erm. If your houses are from different periods they are never going to look the same!

You'd look like a crazy fool if you said something, based on a couple of coincidences and a desire to paint the place so that it is 'in keeping' now tour house is white.

Also.... you don't own a colour! Prwtty6sure there will be any number of housea in the country with a black door and a shade of white!

Plus... They are never going to be able to copy your interiors. Just ignore her and give her a wide berth if it bugs you.

But yes, in summary, YABU!

AngelaTwerkel · 16/08/2017 21:21

I'm also laughing at the shade of Farrow and Ball white and the "thank god it was just a primer."

So black and white decor? I don't know if it's that unique. Even if it is, just live and let live.

Fluffycloudland77 · 16/08/2017 21:33

It would annoy me too TBH.

I doubt they'd have copied charlottes locks though.

PollyFlint · 16/08/2017 21:39

have spent endless hours planning my scheme to ensure it is unique and timeless

I don't think any style is either of those things.

The things you've mentioned so far sound perfectly nice but nothing unusual. I do understand why you're annoyed as nobody wants to be copied and it's obviously something that's really important to you, but I think maybe you were kidding yourself a bit when you thought your ideas were unique. And does it really matter if your neighbour has similar colours to you? It doesn't mean your house will look any less nice. I think you just have to laugh it off and be flattered.

Mrscropley · 16/08/2017 21:41

So you and dh need to have a LOUD CHAT IN THE GARDEN about your matching Simpson's tattoos. . .

rallytog1 · 16/08/2017 21:42

How on earth would you know that no other house in the borough has the same shade of white?!

Aridane · 16/08/2017 21:42

YABU

Papafran · 16/08/2017 21:44

I'm really passionate about design and have some experience in it and have spent endless hours planning my scheme to ensure it is unique and timeless

Maybe you need some more hobbies or something then. Also, how can white paint be unique?

PanannyPanoo · 16/08/2017 21:51

I wouldn't worry. The door thing is annoying. They obviously agree that you have great taste. You could email back. 'Don't worry your vision is safe that is just the under coat. Carry on with your grey. Would be a bit odd having matching houses!' Or something similar.

DorisMcSweeney · 16/08/2017 21:53

Get a massive facial tattoo and see if they still copy you.

Sexykitten2005 · 16/08/2017 21:55

My house is painted white with a Victorian style black front door. Did it 6 months ago. Did you copy me?

ProjectGainsborough · 16/08/2017 21:59

This would irritate me too. I'd go with Pannany's suggestion.

Bluntness100 · 16/08/2017 22:05

Op, I'm sorry you've kind of lost me, you painted your house white, you must know the shade is irrelevant as after a few rain falls and some sun, it's just any old white, and you've a commonly available door which will be painted black?

What am I missing that's unique and timeless please?

Belindaboom · 16/08/2017 22:08

Have you told them it was just a primer?

MyLittlePickleBoo · 16/08/2017 22:09

You do realise if both houses are done well the continuity can actually add value to your homes? Admittedly this depends on a lot of other factors that might not apply to you but not having seen the houses nor rest of the street I have no idea if it's something you've considered or not. If you can persuade the rest of the street to follow suit though you could be onto a winner!

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itsgoodtobehome · 16/08/2017 22:11

This is hilarious. Must be a wind up??!! How can painting a house white be 'yoo-neek'??

Bluntness100 · 16/08/2017 22:15

Maybe it's a reverse? I'm not sure how someone can spend endless hours deciding to just paint their house white and have a black widely available front door. And then think it's unique. It's possibly one of rhe most common colour schemes there is,

Maybe this is the neighbour having a laugh?

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 16/08/2017 22:17

You have actually checked every house in the borough?? Is it a tiny borough??

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