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?

Personally, I don't consider books clutter or naff and I love seeing bookcases in houses. I know some who are voracious readers without a single book in the house because they have Kindle. I have loads of books - dusty or otherwise!

You don’t actually own the books you buy on Kindle, though. You have a license to view them an unlimited number of times, but at the discretion of the ‘leaseholder’, Amazon. This may not be bother people who are not rereaders, but there have been a few cautionary tales in the media about people who’ve had their Amazon account suspended and been blocked from their entire Kindle library.

I wish you could buy coloured bathroom suites for the same price as basic white ones. I love those houses on Rightmove with the original 70s bathrooms and crazy tiles!

As for naff everything that has been said before- Live Laugh Love etc

@Jabbinell

I wish you could buy coloured bathroom suites for the same price as basic white ones. I love those houses on Rightmove with the original 70s bathrooms and crazy tiles!

As for naff everything that has been said before- Live Laugh Love etc

For me they have an element of 'comforting memories' from childhood because so many places had them but I reckon they are headed for a comeback! A lot of things from the past have actually outlasted and outperformed most things that you can buy today. My friend had a house that had the most gloriously retro 70's kitchen with proper Formica worktops and pale primrose cupboard doors. Whilst acknowledging that it wasn't the height of good taste, I loved it because it felt welcoming, comforting and looked as good as the day it was installed. She didn't like it and ripped it out ten years ago and had a new Shaker style kitchen installed. Ten years later, that very expensive kitchen is peeling, the surfaces are separating from their bases and it looks tatty.

Most of the stuff already mentioned, including Plantation Shutters on a UK house thousands of miles from the nearest plantation.
Plastic windows
Unlined curtains

Actually I do reread and want to encourage our teens to read the books we’ve enjoyed. In lockdown 1 dd2 aged 11 ploughed through lots of our hard copy books as she got fed up with screens.

I am a reader Bonedry and it doesn’t bother me - whether that’s Kindle, other e-reader or via my public library. I’m sure there are many like me who prefer that over the lack of space for hundreds of books and the endless trips to the charity shop to recycle them.

I’m struggling to understand why having a white bathroom and using brightly coloured towels is considered naff.

@TrickyD

Most of the stuff already mentioned, including Plantation Shutters on a UK house thousands of miles from the nearest plantation. Plastic windows Unlined curtains

Ooh, I love plantation shutters! But I am in the tropics and there are plenty of plantations near me.

They are great at keeping the sun out whilst still letting a nice breeze through. That's why we use them here. I can't imagine that anyone would want that in the UK. Surely your house would be freezing cold and seem very dark if you used plantation shutters..?

I’m struggling to understand why having a white bathroom and using brightly coloured towels is considered naff.

Is it? I missed that. I'm even naffer than I thought then!

White bathrooms are naff apparently - but garish coloured ones that were all the rage in the 60s, 70s and 80s when I was young are to be coveted. No accounting for other people’s taste

StuffinThePuffin, I assume that as you get a nice breeze through your plantation shutters you do not also have glass windows.
In the UK, they are added to normal windows.
Sensible in the tropics, daft in the UK.

Can I add the idea of 'pops of colour' to the Naff List? Maybe it's more the expression than the actual practice, though.

@TrickyD

StuffinThePuffin, I assume that as you get a nice breeze through your plantation shutters you do not also have glass windows. In the UK, they are added to normal windows. Sensible in the tropics, daft in the UK.

Yes, you're right, there's no glass behind them here. I didn't even know that was a thing!

@Bonedry

Can I add the idea of 'pops of colour' to the Naff List? Maybe it's more the expression than the actual practice, though.

Yes! Using the expression is wanky and naff.

“A Victorian terraced property may suit antique furniture and old books, but a new build would not.”

Not true. Contrast is good.

*Can I add the idea of 'pops of colour' to the Naff List? Maybe it's more the expression than the actual practice, though.

Yes! Using the expression is wanky and naff.*

Agreed. And people who use it usually say "a pop" singular.
I bet they say "a red lip" and "a nude shoe" as well

@Bluesheep8

*Can I add the idea of 'pops of colour' to the Naff List? Maybe it's more the expression than the actual practice, though.

Yes! Using the expression is wanky and naff.*

Agreed. And people who use it usually say "a pop" singular.
I bet they say "a red lip" and "a nude shoe" as well

Those singulars fill me with irrational rage. See also 'a cropped pant'.

I wear my blood pressure has spiked just writing that.

Anyone else thinking back to Grayson Perry's C4 series, All in the Best Possible Taste?

“LassyClassy
Your home is your sanctuary - have it whatever way brings you comfort and joy!!“

I agree. I had two friends, for example, who liked to have lots of items with inspirational quotes on them. I would have them but the last laugh is on me because I’m both cases they actually charmingly and genuinely live up to those quotes and believe in them. I don’t measure up.

Similarly, they have family photos everywhere and they are also genuinely are exceptionally loving people.

I meant I would not have them [the quotes]

Here are some of my dislikes although people are perfectly entitled to disagree.

A room being redecorated and everything being bought in to match is a bit much. Furniture should be bought to last. Think of the planet and all that.)

Oliver Bonas pinky metal things are awful and overpriced.

Gardens which are not restful because there is too much going on.

Candles and scented twiggy things.

The inspirational signs.

Wedding photographs in clusters on walls.

Leather sofas.

Soulless kitchens with nothing on display.

Bifold doors leading from the garden to a kitchen/sitting room extension for everyone to frequent. (Already dated due to lockdown when people craved as many four walls as possible!)

The term “accent colours”.

An absence of books.

And lots more…!

Municipal style garden planting in summer - lobelia, begonia etc, like your local park and all regimented!

“Cam22
Bifold doors leading from the garden to a kitchen/sitting room extension for everyone to frequent. (Already dated due to lockdown when people craved as many four walls as possible!)”

I am a bit confused as I thought everyone craved out door space exactly like this.

You could also put a canopy over and be able to see people there safely in all weather.

Oliver Bonas pinky metal things are awful and overpriced.

What are these? Can you describe them?