Do they actually think caring about kitchen decor is cool?

I suppose this one goes in the “OK, Millennial!” file…

This bit of absurdity caught my eye:

It’s a bit hard for me to imagine anything less cool than actually caring what someone else thinks about the decor of a kitchen — and making judgments about that person based on that.

Of course, I have no idea what these people were on about, or what kitchens looks they see as cool or uncool. The link led to a listicle, and with rare exceptions, I don’t do listicles.

I don’t think I missed out on anything, though…

It led to a listicle, and I seldom do listicles...

It led to a listicle, and I seldom do listicles…

27 thoughts on “Do they actually think caring about kitchen decor is cool?

    1. Brad Warthen Post author

      Initially, I corrected my typo above.

      But then I decided I liked it, and changed it back.

      And now I’m wondering what on Earth is going on in my brain that I could mean to type “lengths I’m going to” and end up typing “links I’m going to.”

      It’s slightly disturbing. But I’ve decided to think it subconsciously clever…

  1. Pat

    I think it’s possible to care too much about what’s published in a magazine article. Most of these criticisms of boomers tastes don’t care about other people’s feelings. Plus, the goal is to sell new things and keep the industry going. It would be better to ask, “do you want to update the look of your kitchen?” And then give some suggestions. They might even suggest a new way to display Grandma’s rooster.
    We recently remodeled our kitchen out of necessity; we had to replace a water-damaged floor. But I was glad to lighten up a too dark work-space and get a practical, tough countertop. I actually cooked a lot more the first couple of weeks!! I did, however, keep Grandma’s carnival glass hen candy dish. 🙂

    1. Pat

      Btw, I was interested in kitchen decor topics when I was researching for my kitchen but now not so much. But I do notice the way these articles are worded. It probably attracts younger buyers who are trying to avoid looking like an older generation.
      And I’m happy to avoid politics. I’m just praying the Democrats will get their act together.

      1. Brad Warthen Post author

        “I’m just praying the Democrats will get their act together.”

        I agree, Pat.

        Of course, that means going ahead and nominating Joe, getting behind him to help him win in November, and sweeping all other matters and concerns out of the way, so they can focus on getting the job done.

        I’m completely uninterested in hearing, reading, or discussing anything that doesn’t move us along down that path…

        There are things I’m concerned about that I could be writing about. For instance, I’m very unhappy with Tom Steyer’s all-out, by-hook-or-by-crook, efforts to eat into Joe’s core support here in South Carolina. I was uneasy before his Harpootlian debate stunt, and since that I’ve been highly alarmed. What he’s doing won’t benefit him in any way, since he’s not going to be the nominee. But he could damage Joe irreparably, since Joe has to make a strong showing here.

        I used to kind of like Steyer, or at least have nothing against him. Now I see his candidacy as a negative force…

        1. Bryan Caskey

          It’s starting to look plausible that no Democratic candidate will obtain the majority of pledged delegates.

    2. Brad Warthen Post author

      Good for you. That shows you’re a person who care about what matters. Such as your Grandma.

      The rest, the stuff these people go on about, is rubbish…

      1. Sally

        I’m 68. I have waited years to get things. I appreciate it more. When I watch HGTV and I see these kids stick their noses up at carpets or wallpaper I’m amazed! I know that styles change but dear Lord, if it’s clean and well-taken care of, it is manageable! As for politics, yes I believe Joe is our answer. We can’t be going off of the rails. He can beat Trump with assistance from all Dems, Independents and No-Trump Rs. He has experience, Foreign Countries know and admire him (except for Russia, N Korea and China), and he cares about our country. Vote Biden!

        1. Brad Warthen Post author

          Yes, Sally! Absolutely.

          Here’s a question I have. I’ve been to a couple of different dentists lately (well, one was an oral surgeon, for a root canal), and I’ve noticed that they always have HGTV going on the TVs they have to distract patients while working on them.

          Why, I wonder. I know lots of people get vicarious enjoyment from watching other people house-hunt or fix up a room, but how large a portion of the population is that. I asked my wife, who takes more of an interest in such things than I do, and she suggested something that perhaps should have been obvious to me: That it’s something noncontroversial, and therefore better than showing, say, one of those 24/7 news channels.

          Makes sense, I suppose…

  2. Barry

    I am glad I never cared what anyone else thought of my kitchen or house decorating choices.

    I have popcorn ceilings and like them. The floor surface in my kitchen is 17 years old. I keep it clean. I like it.

    I still have carpet in my bedrooms and living room. I like it so much I replaced the living room carpet with more carpet. I like it. I don’t care if someone else likes it- or not.

    When I say “I like it” I mean my wife and I like it. We do watch HGTV sometime, but more to laugh at how some people are consumed with “stuff.”

    That’s not to say we don’t change or update from time to time. When we do it it’s because we want to do it, not because what someone else might think.

    1. Pat

      🙂 I still have popcorn ceilings, too ! Not going to change that ever – too messy and too much trouble. I have wall to wall carpet in the bedrooms but I do like the hardwood in the living room. The hardwood Is tongue and groove and can be refinished when needed It’s easy to replace area rugs when I get tired of them or are worn out. That being said, I’m in purge mode now. Trying to get rid of clutter and non-necessities; it’s harder to do that with two, though. Hubs has “collections”.

      1. Brad Warthen Post author

        I don’t have collections; I just don’t throw stuff away….

        I want things to be at hand.

        For instance, books… My wife goes and gets another couple of books from the library about once every week or two. For my part, I don’t want to read a book unless I will then own it forever. I like to have it handy, so I can quote from it. It’s part of my life. How can I throw away part of my life?

        Mind you, Google Books has greatly reduced the need to keep all books at hand. But since Google protects copyrights by not posting the ENTIRE book, the pages I’m looking for are frequently missing. So… gotta hang onto those books.

        Even books I’ve never read. I was down on the floor doing some stretches after working out on the elliptical in my home office the other day, and my eye fell on a book on one of my shelves. It was assigned to me in college, but I never read it. I looked at it and thought, “That looks interesting; maybe I’ll read it now…” I probably won’t, but there’s always that possibility…

        1. Pat

          I’m the one who has books but I took more than half of them to the public library used book store. I still need to get rid of some. But I can see why you want to keep yours. I’m keeping resource books and the biographies. I also still have my favorite children’s books even though my grands have outgrown them; I love them as much for the artwork as for the stories. After 50 years, I realized how much I have that I probably won’t ever have a use for again.

  3. Jeffrey E Jordan

    I think the article you linked is just trolling. Or using fake outrage to get people to view ads.

    I’m disappointed that someone as respectable and experienced as you fell for it. If you weren’t particularly hungry/angry/lonely/tired when you had this reaction, it might be an early sign of cognitive decline- perhaps you should bring it up with your doctor when it is convenient.

    1. Brad Warthen Post author

      Yet another vote of confidence for my concerted effort to bring up nonpolitical topics…

      I’m not sure what you think I “fell for.” I thought it was uncool to care about kitchen decor, and I said so…

    1. Pat

      I’m the one who has books but I took more than half of them to the public library used book store. I still need to get rid of some. But I can see why you want to keep yours. I’m keeping resource books and the biographies. I also still have my favorite children’s books even though my grands have outgrown them; I love them as much for the artwork as for the stories. After 50 years, I realized how much I have that I probably won’t ever have a use for again.

          1. Brad Warthen Post author

            I’m sorry. Let me know if it keeps happening.

            (I said that like I would know what to do if it keeps happening. I probably won’t, truth be told…)

  4. Bryan Caskey

    Definitely put me in the camp of folks who do not care about the “style” of my kitchen. As long as it’s functional, I’m good with it. A kitchen, in my way of thinking, is a utilitarian room. Make it easy to clean, easy to organize, and easy to accomplish the task of cooking.

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