Naff things in other people's houses (Tongue in Cheek)

[pinkpapaya]

I know that it is a question of each to his own etc but what do you find naff in other people's homes? I was invited round to neighbour's today to gawp at their new gas barbecue that is the size of a Challenger tank. They were terribly proud of it and the husband was lovingly caressing it whilst the wife was squealing in anticipation of all the hot sausage her man was going to serve her! All I could think was 'Why? Why? Why?' What do you find naff in other people's homes and why?

@SuperFairy

I love gnomes!

My dad had one in his front garden until one day he (the gnome not my dad) went missing and then for about 3 years my dad regularly got postcards from ‘Gorden’ the gnome who was apparently away on his travels 😂

We never found out who had fostered Gorden, we had our suspicions (know a few pilots and cabin crew) but no one admitted to it 😆

Love this, did he ever return? I hope he is reunited after his travels.

People who refurbish old furniture to chabby chic or whatever the latest trend is. It's only ever looks good if it's done to a really really high standard, otherwise it just looks like a 5yr old has had a bash at painting an old table

@LifeinPieces21 YES!! One day dad opened the front door and Gorden was on the doorstep 😂 😂

@LifeinPieces21

We also have a bbq

But is it big enough to block out the sun? Is it called 'The Rhino'? Does your DP transform from mild-mannered suburban man to untamed hunter-gatherer as he turns Tesco sundried tomato and oregano marinated chicken thighs with the same killer precision and flick of the wrist usually seen in a black belt contract killer?

[quote SuperFairy]@LifeinPieces21 YES!! One day dad opened the front door and Gorden was on the doorstep 😂 😂[/quote]
Brilliant!

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

Culinary Concepts do some fairly tasteful cutlery and glass ice-bucket bowls that I covet ..........................

And they have utter shite like this Crane Bottle Holder £399.20 Bargain.

I am in awe of this! Not just one but TWO bottles of champagne nestled on its back! I want one but not £399.99 worth of want!

@70isaLimitNotaTarget

Culinary Concepts do some fairly tasteful cutlery and glass ice-bucket bowls that I covet ..........................

And they have utter shite like this Crane Bottle Holder £399.20 Bargain.

Don't let chickenyhead see this. I may have fight her for it. It won't be pretty.

downlighters.

A house without books is scary. What do people do if they don’t read?

Scary, really? Weird thing to say.
I work, I clean, I look after my 3 kids, I cook, I walk the dog, do the garden, do the
washing, I go on mumsnet, watch TV (rare that I get the chance), go shopping, go on days out. The list is endless. I used to read before I had kids, now I don't get more than 5 mins to myself before someone shouts or something needs done, so no chance of actually getting to read a book, and when I go to bed I'm asleep within 5 mins.

The house might be messy but our hearts are full of love.

Those really cringey wall arts. Both the sayings and the words themselves look like graffiti
They try to make them look fancy by writing them in an italic font, but they are hideous.

Hot tubs.

I also don't understand mirrors in a garden.

I hate mirrored furniture eg a dressing table. Just think it looks naff and a nightmare to clean.

Not in the house but 2 of my neighbours have vintage cars that live in the garage 95% of the time. My direct neighbour's car was used so little something happened to the battery stopping the car from working at all! Never understood the point. Saying that we are car paupers on our street as we only have one standard car between us!!

Centre ceiling roses.

Made my 2 up 2 down feel like a chateau!

Centre ceiling roses.

What if they're an original period feature?

@Iminaglasscaseofemotion

A house without books is scary. What do people do if they don’t read?

Scary, really? Weird thing to say.
I work, I clean, I look after my 3 kids, I cook, I walk the dog, do the garden, do the
washing, I go on mumsnet, watch TV (rare that I get the chance), go shopping, go on days out. The list is endless. I used to read before I had kids, now I don't get more than 5 mins to myself before someone shouts or something needs done, so no chance of actually getting to read a book, and when I go to bed I'm asleep within 5 mins.

But others do all those things and still read....I think the poster thought it was odd because the lack of desire to read is a bit unusual.

Not sure if I find this 'lighthearted'. None of it is funny. It's more snobby like you think you're better in some way.
Imagine if everyone had the same tastes, it would make life so boring.

So what if others do these things and still read? I love reading but I don’t look down on others who don’t (I loathe the whole ‘a house without books - how awful‘ sneering that some do) or think it unusual if people fill their time with other things.

@MaMelon

So what if others do these things and still read? I love reading but I don’t look down on others who don’t (I loathe the whole ‘a house without books - how awful‘ sneering that some do) or think it unusual if people fill their time with other things.

I agree but when that poster listed all her tasks as reason for not reading, I simply pointed out that others do those things and more and also read. It's not a competition. I just think saying "I don't like reading" would be more honest than saying "I'm too busy!"

But others do all those things and still read....I think the poster thought it was odd because the lack of desire to read is a bit unusual.

But if I'm going to read a book I need to basically be alone, or at least in silence, and like to shut myself off from the world. I never get a chance to do that, usually because I'm never alone. Everyone is different. The judgement from people on here about people that don't have massive bloody bookcases littering their houses (usually just to show everyone how intellectual (think) they are) is embarrassing.

I agree but when that poster listed all her tasks as reason for not reading, I simply pointed out that others do those things and more and also read. It's not a competition. I just think saying "I don't like reading" would be more honest than saying "I'm too busy!"

See condescending judges pish. I do like reading. I used to read all the time before I had kids, since I was very young, obviously because I listed the reasons I don't get a chance now means I don't like it. See some people get their opinion in their head and that's that.

I completely understand some saying they have days weeks months years when they simply don’t have time to read. Some can dip into a book for 15 mins or half an hour or whatever. Some need to get immersed and read solidly. I personally haven’t read fiction for several years - just don’t have time to switch everything else off and read. I do read non fiction in smaller dipping in and out ways. I also now listen to fiction via audio books whilst doing other routine things. A good compromise for me. I think it won’t be until I retire that I will sit for hours engrossed in a book as I did routinely into my 20s.

I went viewing the house and the guy had a wall mounted electric fire, it had a remote control and he could use it to change the LED lights round the fire so they were all different colours, pink, blue etc. He gave us a full demonstration with the remote and was obviously so chuffed with it but I was just thinking it was so naff 😅

I love reading and do have shelves and shelves filled with books of all sorts. However, I’d never judge anyone who didn’t. Perhaps they have other hobbies or interests (for example I’ve no interest or talent in any form of art or crafting), perhaps they enjoy audiobooks, or use a library as they can’t afford / don’t have space for piles of owned books. Visibly displaying books is not an indicator of intellect or class.

There’s such a weird, ‘visible books are clutter and show-off’ vibe on these threads. I do wonder what else these posters consider ‘clutter’ and ‘showing off’ — are they the kind of people who like a completely bare kitchen, and hide their kettles and toasters in drawers unless actually in use? Is any other evidence of the pastimes of the house’s inhabitants also considered showing off? Do you insist knitting should be kept upstairs in a plastic box under the bed (a regular suggestion as to where books should be kept) when not actually being worked on?

I've only just recently started reading actual books again and if I read a book I'd just pass it on and not keep it as I had no room to store them. Now we have moved into a new house I have a wall of books. Before this I read, all the time, but I used my kindle. I'd never judge someone for not having books on show. What a silly thing to get hung up on

I nominate my twiggy shit ornament on my hearth. That's pretty naff.