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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Friend has "copied" my living room ...aibu?

182 replies

chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:17

I know this isn't important in the grand scheme of things but here we go...
My friend decorated 6 months ago and loved her living room.
Three week ago I was getting work done and showed my friend a picture of the living room I loved and the colour paint I was getting and also lamps and flooring.

She said it was lovely and loved it.
Two days ago she sent me a picture -she has just stripped her living room
She's bought the same paint and same lamps.
Saying "that colour I had was just not for me"
Although she loved it a week ago
Aibu to be a bit annoyed ?

OP posts:
nachoavocado · 09/09/2022 12:37

How weird.

sevenbyseven · 09/09/2022 12:38

I can't see the problem personally - I'd be flattered! It's not like anyone will ever see them side by side.

skippy67 · 09/09/2022 12:40

IncompleteSenten · 09/09/2022 12:20

I'd say "thanks. It's really flattering that you love my taste so much! It looks as gorgeous in your house as it's going to look in mine."

Would you? Really??

Franklyfrost · 09/09/2022 12:42

How unusual were your choices and how exactly the same where he choices? If you’ve both got similar pale blue walls and white glass lamp shades that’s no big deal. If she’s got the same brand magenta paint and stuffed peacock lamps then that’s creepy.

Magenta82 · 09/09/2022 12:43

My parents have this will some friends, they would decorate and the friends would copy. They moved three hours away and the friends moved there a few years later. The friends re-did their kitchen to copy the ones the builders put in my parents house, not realising my mum hated it and already had plans to change it.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 09/09/2022 12:43

Of course it’s a bit weird that a friend who’d only just decorated her sitting room only 6 months ago has now redecorated in the exact style you were planning. But of course some people will imply you’re the strange for thinking it strange.

I used to work with someone who would copy what I’d wear. I’d buy a new top, she’d buy the very same top the next week.

I think it’s just a lack of confidence on these types of people’s part, that they need to latch on to someone else’s taste.

Original poster
chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:43

It's the same paint and exactly the same lamps.
It's not like they are similar

OP posts:
DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 09/09/2022 12:44

I get your irritation
Feeling dowdy, I bought a fab LBD, and after first wearing a fashionable friend had an exact copy made by a dressmaker from a photograph! I couldn't wear mine anymore as most mutual friends now thought of it as her "trademark". To be fair, she wasn't copying me at all, she just loved the dress.

I accept this is small beans in the scheme of things, but she had a much more extensive wardrobe than I could ever afford. Maybe I was also a little piqued as naturally, she did look better in it than me.

But the good thing is - you still have time to change plans and make the room your own.. or go ahead with your plans but add extra touches. Different rooms, different look. And don't share stuff like this with her again!

SheWoreYellow · 09/09/2022 12:46

I’d be logging her as being odd.

TurquoiseDress · 09/09/2022 12:46

I couldn't really get myself worked up about it, take it as a compliment of your good taste!

SheWoreYellow · 09/09/2022 12:46

In my head!

Thenmydogsteptonabee · 09/09/2022 12:48

chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:43

It's the same paint and exactly the same lamps.
It's not like they are similar

misses the point, what colour is it? Grey? Pink? Or something not “fashionable “?

AperolWhore · 09/09/2022 12:49

I had this exact same thing with my cleaner but it was the full downstairs of my house! She asked me to look after her cat whilst she was away and when I walked in and it was a carbon copy of my house!

I never mentioned it to her but wow it was freaky! I’ve recently redecorated and did wonder if she’ll copy me again.

FlissyPaps · 09/09/2022 12:50

chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:43

It's the same paint and exactly the same lamps.
It's not like they are similar

Well you obviously have nice taste OP.

If you find it weird, talk to her about it!?

I personally wouldn’t care.

SavingsThreads · 09/09/2022 12:50

isthismylifenow · 09/09/2022 12:27

Is changing decor every 6 months a thing?

Meh, I would just tell her it looks like her taste has improved...

No, that's the point!

Ofc she can do what she wants, but let's not pretend its normal to copy someone's idea then message them a picture without mentioning anything!

I'd say "Oh you've gone for the same as mine! Love it!' Or something so it's not just an awkward unsaid thing

Swimmingpoolsally · 09/09/2022 12:52

Were you not copying someone else? What difference does it make?

Original poster
chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:53

I seen a picture of something similar and I chose the paint and I chose the lamps.
It's not a carbon copy
I think it's a bit different taking ideas from Pinterest to copying exactly of a friend
I didn't copy a friend a week after they sent me their living room choices.

OP posts:
Original poster
chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:55

It's a light mocha /brown feature wall with the other walls cream

OP posts:
Original poster
chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:56

*from a friend not of a friend

OP posts:
Purpleavocado · 09/09/2022 12:56

I would just think of it has a compliment to your taste. We all have to get inspiration from somewhere, and she thought your taste was the most inspiring thing she could copy.

Swimmingpoolsally · 09/09/2022 12:57

chinhg · 09/09/2022 12:53

I seen a picture of something similar and I chose the paint and I chose the lamps.
It's not a carbon copy
I think it's a bit different taking ideas from Pinterest to copying exactly of a friend
I didn't copy a friend a week after they sent me their living room choices.

So basically it’s a copy.? Honestly why does your living room need to be different to hers. What’s the big deal

Tort · 09/09/2022 12:58

Oh god it’s going to be so embarrassing if your living rooms are both at the same wedding.

Suedomin · 09/09/2022 12:58

It's weird but I don't think it's worth getting angry or upset about

Orangello · 09/09/2022 12:58

My best friend's entire house is a copy of mine. I consider this a compliment. Really don't get why I should be annoyed.

HebeSunshine · 09/09/2022 13:01

I get it OP.
I think it's bloody weird. I know someone like this and be it decoration, holidays, clothes they're always copied. It's like they don't even realise they're doing it 🤷🏻‍♀️