Living in the south, every house has a tall, skinny sign out front that says "Welcome", "Its Fall Y'all" or "Home Sweet Home" on it. I didn't want to feel left out, so I have a sign that just says "Porch". Its the dumbest, most literal, non-committal porch sign and it still makes me laugh two years later.
I'm not either but I like indirect lighting, LED light-strips, facing up, hidden in ceiling beams, above kitchen cabinets anywhere the fixture itself is invisible, LEDs reflect off white ceilings & walls, no ugly dangling thing to clonk into.
I love the way he says, "If you have it, that's fine." And you know damn good and well he isn't fine with it. Then he ends the video saying he's really good at pretending. Dude is a legend 🤣🤣🤣
Ok so sitting in front of my glass coffee table, near my bedroom with matching furniture, and looking at my dining room boob light, I will at least commit to changing the light. 😂
Nick is the only person who can discuss interior design with a straight face and still manage to ruin everyone's appetite by suggesting people are staring at your crotch through glass tables during dinner. 🤣🤣🤣
I had friends who had to start using a tablecloth on their glass table because their dog would be constantly jumping up under the table to get at the food - the dog did not understand glass. Personally, I would have put the dog in another room at mealtimes...
I discovered this when I got a glass top dining table several years ago. Not only are you looking at crotches and dirty napkins, but you are looking at feet!
Word art-my grandpa was a painter, wallpaperer. He signed the wall when he was working on this 108 year old house when it was new! I uncovered it when removing wallpaper layers behind an added-on closet I removed. So,I “ framed “ it. The really great part- neither my mom or dad was even born yet! Dad’s folk’s house, wallpaper artist was mom’s father!
See, he specified artistic merit but I'm sure something with sentimental and/or historical value still fits easily within that exception. Point being, you're not hanging words up just for the sake of hanging words up. There's still old notes and scribbles on the wall of my grandpa's workshop. This house isn't quite as old as yours, but we've had our fair share of neat finds when tearing down or fixing stuff, like decades-old empty beer cans in the basement drop ceiling.
Nick I would love to see a design video on hanging art! Not just like height/ placement, but also which frames to use to achieve cohesive looks, and when a piece is stand alone or a gallery wall should be used or groupings, and how many is okay for a room without it seeming too busy or empty. It's a big struggle for me 😢 Love all your videos!! So fun to binge, keep it up!!
me and hubby are househunting right now and we found a house that had so much word art inside that we made it a game of "how many words can you spot per picture" and sent it to our friends. The record was the living room that had 8 signs just saying "home".
Complete and utter tangent: One of my favorite and esoteric theories from a truly interesting Unitarian universalist pastor is that you will find word art in the homes of people who are culturally Protestant. She said she thinks the attraction to platitudes written in a text meant to look like handwriting is an indication that the homeowner is somehow connected to Protestant Christianity, but lacks biblical literacy. I know this sounds like something that a college professor would write and that maybe 15 people would read, but I have to say, it sort of hits.
@@lucindabreedingYes! My husband has had that theory for years. It’s almost iconoclastic Edit: iconoclastic in the sense that they are afraid to/think it’s wrong to venerate icons and statues in the way that Catholics and Orthodox do
I admit that I have a metal copy of the "Ratatouille" sign shown at the end of the Disney movie hanging in my kitchen. I found it on Etsy and it makes me smile every time I look at it. I hope Nick can forgive this design faux pas. 🐁
Re veneer. I used to think high quality furniture was only always solid wood without a veneer. But then I started watching furniture/antiques restoration videos on RUclips. The fact is that high quality, solid wood furniture has included fine wood veneers for many, even hundreds of years. There is a difference between a veneer on particle board and a fine wood veneer on a solid wood antique. Everything about the structure of the piece will be quality, including the surface.
Great point I have a dining room table and sideboard from the early 1900s that is mahogany veneer over maple. Really nice pieces and nice quality. I wonder if tropical woods were a new thing back then.?
@@vaderladyl, there is another reason that veneers have been used for hundreds of years. That’s because woods are different hardnesses and have different characteristics that make them unique and beautiful. And some woods are somewhat rare and those veneers are sometimes used on top of a more common solid wood.
Now that you mention it, my sister has a glass dining table and her lab would be under the table. She thought that table was so chic. I am sure it was really expensive.
“I don’t judge, oh yes I do” and that’s what we like about you. I just ditched my glass topped coffee table and although I liked it, I wanted something a bit bigger. I replaced it with a REAL marble topped round one and OMG what a difference. It totally lightened up the room . Plus with only one shelf, the top, it looks far less cluttered.
we had a glass coffee table - until 2yo me ran into it and I had to go to the ER due to the shards stuck in my face. If you have kids, stay away from glass furniture.
Even as an adult, I'd say stay away from it. I don't like furniture that always has me nervous about scratching, chipping or breaking it. When I first moved out of home, my mom gave me her old glass dining table and side tables. As Nick said, they never stayed clean for long. And for the in-laid side tables, I had to lift the glass up to clean the crevices where dirt and whatnot had gathered. When I moved from that first apartment, I sat them by the side of the road for whomever wanted to get them. Someone indeed got them, so they didn't go to waste. It's their problem now 😂 Edit: Sorry, correction, only the side tables were put out for donation. My mom did want to keep the dining room table so it's in storage. Given she just did a whole DIY nautical theme on her current dining room table (her whole apartment is very nautical-themed...I can already hear Nick's sigh of dismay, lol!), I'm confused on if she actually will ever use that table again. It also had very thin, wobbly legs. Working at it during the pandemic in an equally thin-legged, wobbly chair was a nightmare. She had a small desk from Walmart and I asked her for it and used that instead. Even though the particle board edge cut into my wrists, it was way better than the glass table.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley True. I guess transparent furniture, especially those which tend to take a lots of space - factually and visually, helps small spaces feel more spacious and airy due to it's low visual weight. Solid wood, especially quality, substantial one tend to look and feel very large and there are too many people who are living in tiny apartments and can't make it work for them. Glass is a hazard even on windows, let alone in a form of furniture. I've seen few ghost chair solutions that didn't feel cheap. And I get why people opt for something that doesn't look like it's there and still has a function.
I LOVE my "single, ready to mingle" sock sign in my laundry room, it's functional, it has clothes pins on it for lone socks. However, I will also say that it is the only word art in my entire house and will continue to be so.
@@marylhere this is a really great idea. I'm always lost with the laundry care signs. However, since I live in a place where we just do laundry at laundromat, I'd have to just have that as a cheat sheet
Finally somebody said it. Stone veneer is straight-up MacMansion “architecture.” It looks inauthentic and screams, “I have a lot of money or at least enough to pay a huge mortgage.” Hate it.
I respectfully disagree for these reasons : They are thinner allowing more sq footage of usable space, they are easier to repair or remodel, and they are far lighter which takes load off the structure and footers which saves money and sometimes is needed regardless of the price. Some veneers are indeed horrible looking but the right tile veneer's are perfectly acceptable and sometimes rightfully preferred over real stone.
Stone veneer used appropriately doesn't look awful. But it's rarely used correctly, leadig to the McMansion "Hey World! I have lots of money but no taste!" look. The stone / brick belongs at the bottom of the wall, with visually lighter material above. Use it all around the house, not just on the front wall or "accent" features. Copy the way real stone would be used. Don't put stone veneer in the gable (triangle under the roof) and plastic siding below. Don't use stone veneer on a "tower" attached to the McMansion, and siding everywhere else. It's ok to use stone veneer on the bottom 3 feet of the whole house, and siding above.
@@lizcademy4809 The stone veneer can also look appropriate on columns as it creates an accent to the normal exterior walls and another benefit is it can often use to hide dust /dirt near the ground layer that can stain paint. There are also building science reasons that you should pick the right veneers over real stone from weight reasons to thermal mass considerations, to space savings . They are also easier to repair and remodel
I am getting it to cover my fireplace where I have wallboard now. It is more about avoiding extra weight for me and is affordable. No desire to brag…. Just adding a rustic touch to my very tall and cold great room.
The glass tables, THANK YOU. I've always hated how they looked, on top of the added question of when is the glass going to break and how much chaos will it cause. And the word art just disappoints me. You can choose to have literally anything visually interesting to you, and you spend your money on a word? Thrift, support local artists, make your own, etc is so much livelier than a word.
I've literally never known any glass table to break. The closest was that some old furniture we had as a kid that my mother got from her mother had mirrored glass corners, and those broke (like, had a crack in them, not fully broke apart), but those were just ordinary glass, not tempered glass like glass tables are made of. If you don't like them, chill, but people need to stop pretending they're super delicate.
The only word art I have in my house anymore is a sign one of my nephews got me for Christmas that I keep in my home office, that says, "I work hard so my dog can have a better life." I keep it on hand in that room because I think it's funny.
Not necessarily. Think like an intelligent couch potato. That means fridge in living room stocked with soda, juice, beer, and a freezer of ice cream. Also ideal spot for coffee machine is by the lazy boy if you think about it. Stupid people conform to norms and walk further into the kitchen.
I have my mom-in-law’s chocolate chip loaf recipe engraved on a cutting board hanging in my kitchen. It’s special, she was famous in our family for “the loaf” and it’s her handwriting transposed onto the board. I think of her when I look at it. ❤
I think that totally makes sense since it is sentimental and is a fun piece to explain to people. But the generic word art that is mass produced is very overdone.
I hated vertical blinds until I bought a Florida house with big windows, and it had custom vertical blinds installed in 1960 that still functioned perfectly. I was going to remove them, but they filtered bright sunlight so the house was bright without being blinding. I don't think any other window treatment would have worked as well. They are very popular in Florida where it is called the Sunshine state for a reason.
AGREE! I keep textured vinyl vertical blinds on my sliding glass patio doors. Having them closed but tilted keeps birds from hitting the glass. Also, drapes might collect dog fur. My vertical blinds are clean and they're useful.
Queensland, Australia here. Absolutely brilliant for filtering harsh sun. Still hate them😅 but have not found a better alternative. Though I have seen filtering roller blinds that I need to investigate
Stay away from the popcorn ceilings. I live in a Manhattan apartment. Nick’s description is true. Gathers dust, smoke, everything and there is no way to clean it!
I was helping my sister look at houses in the late ‘90’s and one was truly memorable. Along with the wallpaper border of ducks everywhere, there were signs announcing every room: bathroom, kitchen, dining room, closet, laundry, on and on it went. My sister turned to me and whispered-this b is lost…
In high school my friend died from falling on a glass table. From what I heard she was wrestling/goofing around with her boyfriend and fell on it and it cut an artery. She was 16. Sure it was a freak accident, but glass coffee tables--especially around children--are DANGEROUS.
That’s terrible! We had a glass coffee table in my house growing up (livingroom) when I was a kid, and my mom was always so stressed out that we would break it. Nobody could ever put their feet up, or put anything heavy on it, or set anything down quickly, etc. because it was fragile and could break. I would never ever get a glass coffee table for that reason alone, much less because it was literally dangerous. So ridiculous to get a glass coffee table when you have 5 kids.
How very sad. I'm so sorry. I had a glass coffee table, it was quite nice and in the formal lounge room that was only used by adults. Long story short my husband and I went away for 2 days, and 19 year old son and his best mate stayed home...got home coffee table...no glass and cheezles all over the lounge. Asked what happened to the glass table, the friend decided it looked safe enough to plant his butt on. It obviously wasn't and thank heavens he wasn't hurt.
Agree. My mom stood on top of her partly glass coffee table to reach something high up(I dont understand why, brain fart on her part) fell through and sliced her ankle and heel open, she was so lucky it wasnt her Achilles or an artery, and that my dad was with her because she is not good in a panic situation! I could not believe it and it just reiterated how much I hate glass tables. I'm so sorry about your friend, that is a terribly tragic story.
I have one piece of word art that you can pry from my cold dead fingers. It looks like a seeing eye chart, but spelled out (without punctuation of course) is actually "Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. Good luck. The Doctor." Makes my little geek heart happy.😁
That's what Nick was talking about when he mentioned something that actually has meaning to you and as personalized rather than big box store stencils.
I have a glass-topped table from my grandparents that I bet they bought in Florida in the 1960s or 70s. The glass is heavy and has a pattern in it, almost like a shower door. It doesn't show fingerprints, and the images you see of people's legs below the table are obscure. I love it. We have a tiny eating area in our kitchen, and having the glass-topped table makes the space feel lighter and more spacious.
As a both a designer and a person that believes upkeep in a home should be easy, I mostly agree with Nick on glass top tables. I would never have one with kids in the house, but I specifically bought one for my last livingroom as the room was tiny but I wanted to maximize seating. A glass top coffeetable took up less room visually and the cats walked around on the wooden edge. Not fussy to clean at all, though I did tuck Windex and paper towels out of sight under an end table.
I like glass sometimes. I had glass tops made when I had children around because you can "sterilize" their germ filled messes every day with Windex - you can't do that with wood. The best design is what is practical and clean for YOU. I still love Nick! He is entitled to his opinion and is so funny with it.
We had shag carpeting in our living room in the 1970’s. Lime green. I would vacuum and rake it. I knew that wall to wall rugs are terribly unhygienic. The toilet area? 100X worse.
When I was a kid, I remember my parents putting carpet in the kitchen and even as a little boy I told my mother I thought it was wrong, after I heard her cursing about all the stains, she had it ripped out and had wood floors installed.
I just purchased a house in Texas with brand new carpet running from the main bedroom through the bathroom and into the walk in closet. Of course I’m redoing all the floors before my family moves in but when I saw it during the walk through, my thought was, who has carpet in the bathroom.
While living with a boyfriend 20 years ago, he had a glass coffee table. One day I picked up my bottle of soda from the stone coaster, the coaster came with the bottle and before I could grab it, the coaster fell off about 6 inches on to the table. The whole table shattered and I have a piece of glass in my foot to this day. I still remember my shock at how such a small thing shattered the table. I will never have glass furniture.
It feels like there are just 2 types of people at this point: People who have glass furniture related trauma, And people who have never owned glass furniture.
You ever seen those hammers used to break car windows in an emergency? Same idea. Tempered glass contains stresses (which is why they're stronger than normal glass) that means once it starts breaking, the entire thing is going to fail. One not even hard whack with a sharp point can destroy the whole thing. Using stone coasters on one is just dumb, especially if it's got sharp edges.
I agree in every way about popcorn ceilings. I want to add that I believe they often exist as a part of sound control in apartments, cuts down on echos and whatnot.
I really appreciate your channel in a sea of influencers restocking, re doing rooms. DIY. You are teaching people that you don’t have to do all that. And to invest in quality pieces and find your own style. Thank you!
Hi Nick, architecture hobbyist here! The term you're looking for when discussing why stone veneer feels so fake is tectonics. Buildings that express tectonics have materials that are either a) directly involved in the structure and its construction, or b) mimic that effect so well that ordinary people can't tell. A building with poor tectonics has elements that appear like cladding, things that are glued onto the surface,
Finally, someone who agrees with me about exterior masonry veneer. It seems like people use it to try to look fancier, but when it's clearly a thin fake and only on the front (usually) or a few small areas, it just looks cheap and pretentious. Like it emphasizes that you wanted stone or brick but couldn't really afford it. Whereas if you just use consistent siding and detailing around all sides, whatever that is, it looks more intentional and self-confident.
There’s an enormous $2 million dollar house going up in our modest little neighborhood. The stone guys have been out there veneering it for months. It looks remarkably cheap.
Honestly it screams McMansion to me. I live in a small red brick ranch that was built in the seventies. Painted brick drives me about as nuts as those brick veneer tile things. Most people don't do it properly and it's a job to remove that paint. My sister did that to her 1800s farmhouse. The house was painted white. Now it's the original red brick. Plus I've realized homeowners insurance is a little more in a brick structure which is counterproductive.
Suggestions for covering ugly gray concrete parking on my 1953 house then. I have seen faux stone panels on similar houses and it looks great. Open to suggestions.
Me too. I save money as I am an artist so I create my own. But I also buy from local artists to help support them. I would like to sell mine for less(I don't really care about the money so much), but have been told by the artist community that that is taboo and frowned on. So now my paintings are piling up! I guess I will have to start painting over painting and re-using canvases. I have been told to try selling on Etsy or something...😮
@@ilikecontent2327I sell my art for fairly cheap at a local Lounge/bar, taboo or not it pays for my hobby that I love so much. Try selling it for cheaper, there isn't anything wrong with doing that. I sell 16x20 framed original art for around $90 to $150 depending on the art size in the frame. I sell out and they cost me about $40 to make, including the frame. Use the formula $.30 per sq inch. I'm moving up to $.50 per sq inch so I can keep stuff up on the wall to sell.
I want to learn more about choosing pieces for a room that look good together, such as what decor or lighting pieces go well with the furniture I like.
@@nancycy9039 I find that knowing the dominating color in the room helps so the piece harmonizes with the color. Style of furniture... Traditional furniture maybe pick more traditional art pieces like landscapes in oil and portraits with warm wood frames like walnut or mahogany/cherry and for more modern furniture design styles maybe lean towards abstracts and modern prints with sleek frames in black, white, silver, etc. You can't go wrong with a classic black frame and a classic print from say the old masters or a modern artist. 😊
Yes! A lot of artists sell prints of their work. Or smaller originals that are affordable. (Like me!) Good on you for having a bit of imagination and care in your decor choices. You are appreciated!
In our marriage we’ve had to relocate for jobs 7 times. The absolute first thing I usually do is change out the light fixtures. Even if I’m planning a major redo down the line I will temporarily replace light fixtures to change out the look because it is often a cost effective way to feel comfortable in my new home.
Very true. Another thing that will instantly make your place look more high end is to replace those hollow doors with nice doors. Even MDF with fake trim look better, but if you can afford it, get solid wood doors and nice handles. Your entire place will feel luxurious. You’ll get instant feedback all day as you use those doors. Then, you can move onto a good trim job. Get rid of the tract house stuff.
@@jamesdellaneve9005 you are so right! Last summer we had our main floor bathroom entirely redone and at the same time I had them replace every door with solid wood shaker style doors. My husband didn’t quite see why we should go to the expense but once it was done even he had to admit that it made an amazing difference!
@@stuckinmopro8533 I designed and built my Tuscan home. I picked out all of the materials right down to the rebar. I bought mahogany doors made in LA and bought period unvarnished brass door hardware with working skeleton locks. Buying direct saves you a ton. If I hired a General Contractor, it would’ve cost over a $1.2M to $1.5M to build the house. I built it for less than half that and now )6 years later), it’s worth $1.5M. At the time I finished it, it would’ve been worth $900K to $1M.
I hate glass dining tables...very distracting to see how different people sit/if food drops in their lap, etc. and frankly just visually distracting from the meal itself.
One of my high school friends posted a few pictures of her and her wife's apartment after they moved and they had a "Let's Eat" wood sign above the bed. I lost my shit in the middle of my dentist's waiting room. It's the only word art I've ever approved of.
Appropriate word art (IMO): my mom ran away from home when she was 5 or 6. She wrote a note on a scrap of paper that read 'I am runing away but I might be back'. Misspelling is hers. My grandmother framed it, and it hung in her bedroom. My grandfather found my mom about a block away, by the way, and got her to come back by taking her for ice cream. It was nothing serious, just childhood drama.
That's not "word art", that's a memory. She was pretty good for her age to write that well. I hope this precious little piece will go to the next generation.
Last week I paused the video and stomped to my living room and got rid of the potpourri! This week I've committed to expediting the removal of my glass dining table! I was in the process of finding a new home for it but thanks for lighting the fire Nick!
I used to do Asbestos inspections. I sampled hundreds of house ceilings and I don't recall ever finding a popcorn ceiling in a house made prior to 1990 that did not have asbestos in it.
I live in the (arid & hot) southwest. Ceiling fans are so valuable! Even when they have a light in them Actually having a ceiling light as part of the fan can be nice. A/C may be critical, but those ceiling fans are useful.
Yes ! As a pet & house sitter in our midwest town ( hot 'n humid summers ) , homes have AC of course , & often more than one ceiling fan per home - fans can go clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the seasons , to help in heating or cooling a room .
I really don’t have a problem with ceiling lights. As long as you choose a decent looking one. I think most people just jumped on the hate ceiling fans bandwagon.
@@jennifergraham3752 Agree ! As w/ my white ceiling lights , I went w/ a white ceiling fan in the simplest design . 🤍 Prefer to blend rather than contrast - " If it ain't pretty , don't put it out on the porch " . 😅
As an architect, I don't like glue-on exterior fake stone, either. Same reason--masonry has to be used a certain way and most glue-on misses the point.
@7:20 My most hated thing is architectural details that make no structural sense. Like fake beams that don't go where beams would logically go, beams that aren't connected to other beams or pillars, that don't seem to be holding anything up, that can't possibly transfer weight anywhere. They're SO easy to spot and it bugs me every single time.
Can I add my list Nick 1. Mock fake fires with a fake flame 2.table ornaments that are so big you can’t see across the table to your guests. 3. Leather sofas that you stick too especially with giant or large and puffy arms 4.pattern carpets. 5.pedestal mat and toilet seat cover 😂with matching bath mat
I'm with you on the fake fires. "Everybody" has one now, electric or gas. They just don't do it for me. I love my old-fashioned wood fireplace with all the ceremony, ambiance, smells and sights that go with it. I'll just stay right here in the 19th century in this corner of my house, thank you.
@@marta150 Truth - they are not the most stylish! But they serve a purpose and are comfy. Real people live in real houses - and have to compromise to make happy marriages! So salute to "manly recliners"!
I love glass coffee tables because it's easier to windex fingerprints than it is to fix water damage/heat damage to wooden tables. Yes, I know coasters and trivets exist, but I don't want to play 'table police" all the time. I really want a glass coffee table with a driftwood base! One of my friends had one in the late 80's and I always loved it. As far as safety goes, you have to get tempered glass of a substantial thickness with a rounded edge....
Yep, if you’re willing to constantly clean it, then good for you! I have to admit, for a coffee table, with all the caveats you mentioned, they have some charm, especially with a unique and natural wood base.
I had to spend a lot of $, but I got some great Hunter-Douglas solid shades for my patio door and window. They’re electric which is great. They look so much more, I don’t know, fresh? Au courant? My vertical blinds kept being damaged by my cats and dogs. They just always wanted to look outside at the squirrels, birds, and deer! Anyway, I’m glad you’ve had a good experience with vertical blinds.
Nick, I hired a guy who specializes in skimcoating drywall over popcorn ceiling rather than removing it, and got a great result for my place in kits. Didn’t have to move out or anything. Loved it!
May I ask how much it was and how big your apartment is? Because I'm near Vancouver and was quoted like 10k to remove the popcorn ceiling of my 2 bedroom condo LOL. I'll learn to love it at that price sorry
In defence of glass coffee tables: I believe they can be lovely. I have a birch framed one and I love it and am trying to find a replacement. I have one floor to ceiling, relatively narrow, window in my living room and the table top bounces the light beautifully. As a bonus it reflects the tree outside and I get views of the birds in the upper branches that I wouldn't see otherwise. That brings me so much joy. Yes it does show marks from mugs but my thinking is it shows the dirt that would be lurking there anyway on another surface.
OMG my mom does themed rooms. Her living room theme is Gone With The Wind. For a while the guest bathroom was the Vietnam War. Her bedroom theme is The Beatles. It’s tacky and hilarious. But that’s my mom and I love her.
Oh, good. It’s not just me. Detest bathroom carpets (actually don’t care for carpet anywhere, but especially the bathroom), word art (I think I know which room I’m in), and hideous vertical blinds. But I absolutely love Nick!
I dislike popcorn ceilings as well. As im doing a full reno I decided instead of scraping it off I just added another layer of 5/8 drywall on top. It now looks like a brand new job, which it is. It also adds to soundproofing for downstairs.
I used to think the exterior stone veneer was actually expensive masonry. Once I realized that it was fake, I felt a lot better about my own house's vinyl siding, lol.
I live near one of the Great Lakes and many of the old homes are made of lake rock…smooth round rocks probably carried by wagon from the shore. I have never seen fake stone that recreates that look. I would add that to the bottom two thirds of my house with cedar shakes on the upper third. Every thing looks like shale.
I have a wall in my basement laundry room with an old ironing board, an old washtub, a washboard and several cute wall stuff that say Laundry. I get lots of compliments on it.
I’m in the middle of a “Reno” ( removing vinyl floor and replacing with tile. And painting every wall and baseboard 😅 ) I have your channel on loop listening to ALL your videos and it’s the ONLY thing that is keeping my motivation going. I love your honesty.. and the carpeted bathrooms bring back memories of my grammas house. She also had a carpeted kitchen 😂😂😂
My grandfather built many homes with the large stones found around the property. They are still standing and now worth a fortune! My father RIP Dad, who recently passed, couldn't believe the pictures found online of the first home. He remembered having to find the stones for his father.... the difference between real and fake is remarkable!
@@ColletteAileen I thought so! I was astonished to find the first house my grandfather ever built online! My father said my uncle was teaching my grandfather how to do masonry with stone but then dropped off and my grandfather was only partially finished but managed to complete the masonry and all the other carpentry of the house. So cool is right. Thank you!❤️
Agreed. But our oriental rugs look great through the lovely glass coffee tables. I don't find finger prints a problem but they can get a bit dusty. Only takes a second to dust with a microfiber towel.
I find glass much easier and actually healthier then wood.. No chemicals needed to keep up. ( plus I am very chemical sensitive) Also makes a smaller space larger looking.
@bawillard2578 You can keep up wood nicely with just a bit of linseed oil and a dust cloth. I have an oak chest of drawers from the 1920s and I've never used any "chemicals" on it. What do you use to clean your glass table?
I had a kitschy themed kitchen on purpose. Cow was the theme. It was a rental house and I had to do tons of painting, floor refinishing and trim scraping and lots. The walls in the kitchen had a rubber, teal and black checked floor, pine cabinets from eons ago, aqua formica and a cardboard substance on the walls. So I went totally kitschy and painted the walls black and white cow blotches. Cows on shelves that were gifts. The rest of the place looked clean but classic and the kitchen was wild. Probably would not do that again, but it was fun in a crazy way.
My husband is a red seal painter, drywaller. Yes, popcorn ceiling is a double whammy of 1. An "easy" way to cover up a sloppy drywall job, so many older drywall finishers will opt for it because the ceiling it the most tedious to finish WELL. And 2. They're the most annoying to patch/fix because matching the texture never works as well as you think it will. Also, because of the "cover up" aspect, you can almost ALWAYS see the sheet rock seams that weren't properly finished under them.
Contractor asked if we were doing “textured” ceilings. I just stared at him until he finally said “Well I guess not.” Beautiful, smooth ceilings and no boob lights to be found. We did wood slat ceiling in main room for variation.
Interesting. Australian here. Only seen 1 popcorn ceiling in my life and it was in a motel. I was surprised to hear they are still being installed in the US.
I have a popcorn ceiling in the house I have bought. Hate it. Also had a leak and 1 3rd of the ceiling needed repair so now I have the problem of either putting it back in the repaired place (can't find a contractor who can do it) or having an asymmetric ceiling or completely changing the whole other ceiling
Our popcorn ceiling is cement like. Impossible to remove. My husband removed it in the hall but it was a hellish experience. The home was built in the 50's. Wish it was the scrape off popcorn,
I’m sitting here in my beach themed spare room that I decorated to make me feel like I’m in a beach themed bedroom in a condo at Ocean City lol. It’s my one room that is ky tacky ocean room and my guilty pleasure lol. The rest of my home is tastefully decorated and curated with mostly antiques but dang I love hanging in my tacky cutesy beach room lol. Also my grandkids love the room and that makes me smile 😊
We are in the California Valley and it gets boiling in the summer. Every room has a ceiling fan with "boob" lights. I don't mind the look, and we NEED the fans. They are all in the oil rubbed bronze that matches the hardware on our doors. I also despise carpet in bathrooms, again, it was cheap for the developers. It definitely is non-negotiable for me.
Nick, i found your channel a few months ago. Love, love, love!! Your content is amazing, your personality makes me want a best friend like you 😂 watching your videos helps my anxiety a great deal, but now I'm exhausted for the past few weeks because I binge watch your videos on my TV. Guess what...WORTH it!! Much love from Michigan ❤
"I don't know anything about it, but here we go..." 🤣🤣 Priceless! I once rented a townhome that was 100% carpeted. Every room. Kitchen and bathrooms too. I had a toddler at the time. Can you imagine meal and bath time?
I inherited my grandmother 's glass dining room table that was placed on a laminate marble pedestal. That thing was so heavy and so riddled with fingerprints that when I watched it walk out the door as a donation, I feel like my shoulders dropped a mile. I was so happy to be rid of it.
I agree with everything except the wood veneer. Good quality veneer is used in fine furniture and has been for centuries. It has more structural stability in varying indoor humidity levels. Also some fancy veeeners would be totally unsuitable for entire pieces--think of a fancy burled veneer or patterned veneers. Whereas solid pine furniture like many Ikea basics are great for childrens rooms or people just starting out.
As a life long antiques dealer I completely agree. Veneered furniture has been around for a couple centuries..I lie, I just looked it up. According to The History of Wood Veneer, it’s been around for 5,000 years, ever since the Ancient Egyptians. Who knew? 😮
Glass is soooo easy to clean. And it's so satisfying to actually know your eating off a clean table. Wooden tables can hid dirt. I've wiped off a wooden table that I didn't know was dirty and been surprised how dirty it was. Glass shows the cleanliness.
I recently replaced all of my vertical and roller blinds. I went with white plantation shutters throughout. They look so neat and I love the control you have over how much light comes in and the angle at which it comes in. They aren’t cheap but I am thrilled with them. I also love the fact that they frame the window.
Agreed! I have a *gorgeous* Italian glass table that totally changed my tiny European dining and living room. It has fold out panels to be able to invite lots of people (so important in France!), but we cover it when we eat. I hate the finger prints, too! It is impossible to keep clean, alas, but its so worth it!
I don't know if it's common in other parts of the world, but in Poland, vertical blinds were in EVERY medical space - hospitals, pharmacies, clinics - just everywhere. If you were sitting in any waiting room in these places, you know how it feels when those (probably unwashed for ages) strips touch and rake through your hair... Not pleasant. Now, every time I see them, the space looks like a dental office to me
Oh man, I felt the glass tables. I got a glass coffee table from my grandparents when they passed away. It's one of my favorite items, it holds so many good memories.
Omg… “your ceiling has acne” 😂 I DESPISE popcorn ceilings! They’re the devil. Ban the popcorn along with any texture walls or ceilings for that matter. (Looking at you grandma swirl ceiling)
Here in the states popcorn ceilings had asbestos even after it was made illegal. Don't know How it was still available, but I did prep for a ceiling shooter & he added asbestos which made a thicker & better covering product. So you can't assume that there's no asbestos because the work was done after it became illegal!
I remember my grandmother was so proud of the refreshed popcorn ceiling….in 1970. She also had carpet and padded toilet seat in the bathroom. Mix Dove and T Gel Shampoo for instant transport to gramma house.
Meh...I couldn't care less. I have textured walls and I like them. With an eggshell paint, they look velvety and like almost textured wallpaper. Popcorn and texture have a reason to be, it is not only for decor.
100% agree about the boring light fixtures. My toxic trait is that I only like vintage lights. I have put so much time into rewiring and restoring old fixtures for my apartment.
I agree Nick. I had a glass coffee table for a long while. It was two bevelled panels inlaid in dark wood in a laquered psuedo asian style that went with a lot of things. BUT, the glass was ALWAYS dirty, regardless of constant cleaning. Thanks for the reminder.
I love when Nick hates things.
me too! 🤣
It brings me so much joy haha
Same 😂
I love it!!
Sitting here in front of my glass coffee table like 🫣 😂
"I love glass in windows"....
😂😂😂
And in a cylindrical form, they are great for holding cold beverages! Or pickles!
Big fan!
I thought you used tin foil to keep the aliens away.
Its a controversial take
Same
Living in the south, every house has a tall, skinny sign out front that says "Welcome", "Its Fall Y'all" or "Home Sweet Home" on it. I didn't want to feel left out, so I have a sign that just says "Porch". Its the dumbest, most literal, non-committal porch sign and it still makes me laugh two years later.
😂😂😂
OMG, makes me laugh. I'm a transplanted Yankee and after 40 yrs here those signs still make me shudder!
Love this.
Those signs have made their way up north 😂😅
@@MiBeSo815 Nooooooooo!
"no judgement!" .. all the judgement.
Let's be honest, we're here for Nick being judgemental. Hilarious and always refreshing.
he's very entertaining to listen to. Hilarious for sure!
I don’t judge…well I do but.. 😂
I'm not either but I like indirect lighting, LED light-strips, facing up, hidden in ceiling beams, above kitchen cabinets anywhere the fixture itself is invisible, LEDs reflect off white ceilings & walls, no ugly dangling thing to clonk into.
I love the way he says, "If you have it, that's fine." And you know damn good and well he isn't fine with it. Then he ends the video saying he's really good at pretending. Dude is a legend 🤣🤣🤣
Nick is out here sounding like Dr Seuss: I do not like glass tables here or there, I do not like them anywhere
🤣 I thought the same thing!
😂 me too!
😂😂❤!!!
Me too!! Lol
My immediate thought also! 😂😂
Ok so sitting in front of my glass coffee table, near my bedroom with matching furniture, and looking at my dining room boob light, I will at least commit to changing the light. 😂
So funny 😂
Hahaha I would love to see the face of Nick entering your home🤣
Oh my goodness, ME TOO!!!! Hahahaha
@@antalito3047 😬😬😬 umm can I distract him with snacks??? I should submit for roast my space 😂
Small steps.
Nick is the only person who can discuss interior design with a straight face and still manage to ruin everyone's appetite by suggesting people are staring at your crotch through glass tables during dinner. 🤣🤣🤣
So naughty, lol.
I had friends who had to start using a tablecloth on their glass table because their dog would be constantly jumping up under the table to get at the food - the dog did not understand glass. Personally, I would have put the dog in another room at mealtimes...
Wait a minute....Doesn't Nick's dining table have a glass top?
I discovered this when I got a glass top dining table several years ago. Not only are you looking at crotches and dirty napkins, but you are looking at feet!
@@Spangletigeryou can clearly see it in the background, it's wood
Word art-my grandpa was a painter, wallpaperer. He signed the wall when he was working on this 108 year old house when it was new! I uncovered it when removing wallpaper layers behind an added-on closet I removed. So,I “ framed “ it. The really great part- neither my mom or dad was even born yet! Dad’s folk’s house, wallpaper artist was mom’s father!
See, he specified artistic merit but I'm sure something with sentimental and/or historical value still fits easily within that exception. Point being, you're not hanging words up just for the sake of hanging words up.
There's still old notes and scribbles on the wall of my grandpa's workshop. This house isn't quite as old as yours, but we've had our fair share of neat finds when tearing down or fixing stuff, like decades-old empty beer cans in the basement drop ceiling.
Nick I would love to see a design video on hanging art! Not just like height/ placement, but also which frames to use to achieve cohesive looks, and when a piece is stand alone or a gallery wall should be used or groupings, and how many is okay for a room without it seeming too busy or empty. It's a big struggle for me 😢
Love all your videos!! So fun to binge, keep it up!!
I second this!!!!
me and hubby are househunting right now and we found a house that had so much word art inside that we made it a game of "how many words can you spot per picture" and sent it to our friends. The record was the living room that had 8 signs just saying "home".
LOL! I think it's the realtor trying to pull some subtle mind control. Maybe if you see the word "home" enough times, you'll want to buy! 😂
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley😂😂
Complete and utter tangent: One of my favorite and esoteric theories from a truly interesting Unitarian universalist pastor is that you will find word art in the homes of people who are culturally Protestant.
She said she thinks the attraction to platitudes written in a text meant to look like handwriting is an indication that the homeowner is somehow connected to Protestant Christianity, but lacks biblical literacy.
I know this sounds like something that a college professor would write and that maybe 15 people would read, but I have to say, it sort of hits.
@@lucindabreedingYes! My husband has had that theory for years. It’s almost iconoclastic
Edit: iconoclastic in the sense that they are afraid to/think it’s wrong to venerate icons and statues in the way that Catholics and Orthodox do
I admit that I have a metal copy of the "Ratatouille" sign shown at the end of the Disney movie hanging in my kitchen. I found it on Etsy and it makes me smile every time I look at it. I hope Nick can forgive this design faux pas. 🐁
Re veneer. I used to think high quality furniture was only always solid wood without a veneer. But then I started watching furniture/antiques restoration videos on RUclips. The fact is that high quality, solid wood furniture has included fine wood veneers for many, even hundreds of years. There is a difference between a veneer on particle board and a fine wood veneer on a solid wood antique. Everything about the structure of the piece will be quality, including the surface.
Yes, veneer doesn't always mean low quality.
Good point
Great point I have a dining room table and sideboard from the early 1900s that is mahogany veneer over maple. Really nice pieces and nice quality. I wonder if tropical woods were a new thing back then.?
@@johnnysimes5082 Yes it was a novelty back then.
@@vaderladyl, there is another reason that veneers have been used for hundreds of years. That’s because woods are different hardnesses and have different characteristics that make them unique and beautiful. And some woods are somewhat rare and those veneers are sometimes used on top of a more common solid wood.
I had a glass dining table at my last house. It was pretty, but watching my dog underneath it begging for food was distracting 😂
I'm sure the dog loved it. 😆
Now that you mention it, my sister has a glass dining table and her lab would be under the table. She thought that table was so chic. I am sure it was really expensive.
I can relate! God knows what the dog might decide he needs to do under the table when serving your guests dinner 😂.
🤣🤣🤣 my dog learned to beg im so proud.
It wasn't pretty
"I don't judge. Well, I do...but I don't judge". But you do. Love you Nick! ❤️
“I don’t judge, oh yes I do” and that’s what we like about you. I just ditched my glass topped coffee table and although I liked it, I wanted something a bit bigger. I replaced it with a REAL marble topped round one and OMG what a difference. It totally lightened up the room . Plus with only one shelf, the top, it looks far less cluttered.
we had a glass coffee table - until 2yo me ran into it and I had to go to the ER due to the shards stuck in my face. If you have kids, stay away from glass furniture.
Even as an adult, I'd say stay away from it. I don't like furniture that always has me nervous about scratching, chipping or breaking it. When I first moved out of home, my mom gave me her old glass dining table and side tables. As Nick said, they never stayed clean for long. And for the in-laid side tables, I had to lift the glass up to clean the crevices where dirt and whatnot had gathered. When I moved from that first apartment, I sat them by the side of the road for whomever wanted to get them. Someone indeed got them, so they didn't go to waste. It's their problem now 😂
Edit: Sorry, correction, only the side tables were put out for donation. My mom did want to keep the dining room table so it's in storage. Given she just did a whole DIY nautical theme on her current dining room table (her whole apartment is very nautical-themed...I can already hear Nick's sigh of dismay, lol!), I'm confused on if she actually will ever use that table again. It also had very thin, wobbly legs. Working at it during the pandemic in an equally thin-legged, wobbly chair was a nightmare. She had a small desk from Walmart and I asked her for it and used that instead. Even though the particle board edge cut into my wrists, it was way better than the glass table.
@@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley True. I guess transparent furniture, especially those which tend to take a lots of space - factually and visually, helps small spaces feel more spacious and airy due to it's low visual weight. Solid wood, especially quality, substantial one tend to look and feel very large and there are too many people who are living in tiny apartments and can't make it work for them. Glass is a hazard even on windows, let alone in a form of furniture. I've seen few ghost chair solutions that didn't feel cheap. And I get why people opt for something that doesn't look like it's there and still has a function.
Yes, you will be constantly cleaning a glass table -- but not just the top -- the bottom side also gets dusty. The cleaning is endless.
Yep, this is my reason for not having glass furniture: safety.
How about on HGTV when a designer puts glass top tables and white furniture and carpets in a home with toddlers and young children.
I LOVE my "single, ready to mingle" sock sign in my laundry room, it's functional, it has clothes pins on it for lone socks. However, I will also say that it is the only word art in my entire house and will continue to be so.
Would love the conversion chart of the symbols of care.
That’s actually really clever. I think that’s the one word-sign in this world I wouldn’t hate.
That's actually cute and it serves a function because it has the pins on it for lone socks😄
@@marylhere this is a really great idea. I'm always lost with the laundry care signs. However, since I live in a place where we just do laundry at laundromat, I'd have to just have that as a cheat sheet
Thanks. Those two signs are very good ideas. I don't count them as "word art signs" because they serve a *PURPOSE* .
Finally somebody said it. Stone veneer is straight-up MacMansion “architecture.” It looks inauthentic and screams, “I have a lot of money or at least enough to pay a huge mortgage.” Hate it.
I respectfully disagree for these reasons : They are thinner allowing more sq footage of usable space, they are easier to repair or remodel, and they are far lighter which takes load off the structure and footers which saves money and sometimes is needed regardless of the price. Some veneers are indeed horrible looking but the right tile veneer's are perfectly acceptable and sometimes rightfully preferred over real stone.
Stone veneer used appropriately doesn't look awful. But it's rarely used correctly, leadig to the McMansion "Hey World! I have lots of money but no taste!" look.
The stone / brick belongs at the bottom of the wall, with visually lighter material above. Use it all around the house, not just on the front wall or "accent" features. Copy the way real stone would be used.
Don't put stone veneer in the gable (triangle under the roof) and plastic siding below.
Don't use stone veneer on a "tower" attached to the McMansion, and siding everywhere else.
It's ok to use stone veneer on the bottom 3 feet of the whole house, and siding above.
@@lizcademy4809 The stone veneer can also look appropriate on columns as it creates an accent to the normal exterior walls and another benefit is it can often use to hide dust /dirt near the ground layer that can stain paint. There are also building science reasons that you should pick the right veneers over real stone from weight reasons to thermal mass considerations, to space savings . They are also easier to repair and remodel
It's really popular on mobile homes, as well as McMansions 😅
I am getting it to cover my fireplace where I have wallboard now. It is more about avoiding extra weight for me and is affordable. No desire to brag…. Just adding a rustic touch to my very tall and cold great room.
The glass tables, THANK YOU. I've always hated how they looked, on top of the added question of when is the glass going to break and how much chaos will it cause. And the word art just disappoints me. You can choose to have literally anything visually interesting to you, and you spend your money on a word? Thrift, support local artists, make your own, etc is so much livelier than a word.
I've literally never known any glass table to break. The closest was that some old furniture we had as a kid that my mother got from her mother had mirrored glass corners, and those broke (like, had a crack in them, not fully broke apart), but those were just ordinary glass, not tempered glass like glass tables are made of.
If you don't like them, chill, but people need to stop pretending they're super delicate.
The only word art I have in my house anymore is a sign one of my nephews got me for Christmas that I keep in my home office, that says, "I work hard so my dog can have a better life." I keep it on hand in that room because I think it's funny.
Oh my gosh I want a sign like that for my fur babies! 🐾🐾
I love it! 😂
"We know it's the kitchen because that's where the fridge is." OMG Nick I'm dying. Love you!
Not necessarily. Think like an intelligent couch potato. That means fridge in living room stocked with soda, juice, beer, and a freezer of ice cream. Also ideal spot for coffee machine is by the lazy boy if you think about it.
Stupid people conform to norms and walk further into the kitchen.
Well, we have one on our lanai...so😅
Says the guy that likes panel fridges that you can't tell are there.
I have my mom-in-law’s chocolate chip loaf recipe engraved on a cutting board hanging in my kitchen. It’s special, she was famous in our family for “the loaf” and it’s her handwriting transposed onto the board. I think of her when I look at it. ❤
I get it. I have my great-great grandmother's recipe for Keilbasa from Poland, in my grandmother's handwriting. Its framed, in my kitchen.
@@carol-destinationsinflorid5591 exactly! ❤️
I think that totally makes sense since it is sentimental and is a fun piece to explain to people. But the generic word art that is mass produced is very overdone.
Those examples are in no way “word art.” Will you share the recipes?
That is sweet.
My cousins glass coffee table exploded during the night, I think the design fairy smashed it
Nick’s powers are growing…
*It had it coming.*
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 How do you summon this fabulous creature?
@@jackiec859😂😂😂
@@donnadebrodt1778 🤣🤣🤣
I hated vertical blinds until I bought a Florida house with big windows, and it had custom vertical blinds installed in 1960 that still functioned perfectly. I was going to remove them, but they filtered bright sunlight so the house was bright without being blinding. I don't think any other window treatment would have worked as well. They are very popular in Florida where it is called the Sunshine state for a reason.
AGREE! I keep textured vinyl vertical blinds on my sliding glass patio doors. Having them closed but tilted keeps birds from hitting the glass. Also, drapes might collect dog fur. My vertical blinds are clean and they're useful.
Queensland, Australia here. Absolutely brilliant for filtering harsh sun. Still hate them😅 but have not found a better alternative. Though I have seen filtering roller blinds that I need to investigate
I had them in Hawaii, not a fan of the look but they functioned the way I needed, so many words to say “same”
Stay away from the popcorn ceilings. I live in a Manhattan apartment. Nick’s description is true. Gathers dust, smoke, everything and there is no way to clean it!
I was helping my sister look at houses in the late ‘90’s and one was truly memorable. Along with the wallpaper border of ducks everywhere, there were signs announcing every room: bathroom, kitchen, dining room, closet, laundry, on and on it went. My sister turned to me and whispered-this b is lost…
😂🤭
Hahaha
Omg, still laughing! That was a good one!
The obvious answer is to swap the signs around and never acknowledge the issue.
OMG I JUST SPIT OUT MY COFFEE! 😂😂😂
In high school my friend died from falling on a glass table. From what I heard she was wrestling/goofing around with her boyfriend and fell on it and it cut an artery. She was 16.
Sure it was a freak accident, but glass coffee tables--especially around children--are DANGEROUS.
That’s terrible! We had a glass coffee table in my house growing up (livingroom) when I was a kid, and my mom was always so stressed out that we would break it. Nobody could ever put their feet up, or put anything heavy on it, or set anything down quickly, etc. because it was fragile and could break. I would never ever get a glass coffee table for that reason alone, much less because it was literally dangerous. So ridiculous to get a glass coffee table when you have 5 kids.
How very sad. I'm so sorry.
I had a glass coffee table, it was quite nice and in the formal lounge room that was only used by adults.
Long story short my husband and I went away for 2 days, and 19 year old son and his best mate stayed home...got home coffee table...no glass and cheezles all over the lounge. Asked what happened to the glass table, the friend decided it looked safe enough to plant his butt on. It obviously wasn't and thank heavens he wasn't hurt.
Agree. My mom stood on top of her partly glass coffee table to reach something high up(I dont understand why, brain fart on her part) fell through and sliced her ankle and heel open, she was so lucky it wasnt her Achilles or an artery, and that my dad was with her because she is not good in a panic situation! I could not believe it and it just reiterated how much I hate glass tables. I'm so sorry about your friend, that is a terribly tragic story.
Wow. How tragic; I'm sorry for your loss. I would have thought they'd have to be tempered glass. Good warning.
I got rid of all my glass tables when I had children. I could see a potential disaster
I have one piece of word art that you can pry from my cold dead fingers. It looks like a seeing eye chart, but spelled out (without punctuation of course) is actually "Don't blink. Blink and you're dead. Good luck. The Doctor." Makes my little geek heart happy.😁
Live Laugh Love isn't in the same time and relative dimension in space as that quote, my friend
😂💙😂
That's what Nick was talking about when he mentioned something that actually has meaning to you and as personalized rather than big box store stencils.
Oh dear, I have a DON’T BLINK sign on my fridge…
Have you seen the Dr. Who episode called Blink? Scary AF. This sign might just be about this episode.
Visited a relative of my husband last week and saw word art. Smiled and thought of you.
"not all my videos are winners, let's be honest" I love this guy!
I have a glass-topped table from my grandparents that I bet they bought in Florida in the 1960s or 70s. The glass is heavy and has a pattern in it, almost like a shower door. It doesn't show fingerprints, and the images you see of people's legs below the table are obscure. I love it. We have a tiny eating area in our kitchen, and having the glass-topped table makes the space feel lighter and more spacious.
Well I don’t think he’s talking about tables like urs.
There're always exceptions to rules. ❤
There must be something great about it if it lasted this long!
As a both a designer and a person that believes upkeep in a home should be easy, I mostly agree with Nick on glass top tables. I would never have one with kids in the house, but I specifically bought one for my last livingroom as the room was tiny but I wanted to maximize seating. A glass top coffeetable took up less room visually and the cats walked around on the wooden edge. Not fussy to clean at all, though I did tuck Windex and paper towels out of sight under an end table.
I like glass sometimes. I had glass tops made when I had children around because you can "sterilize" their germ filled messes every day with Windex - you can't do that with wood. The best design is what is practical and clean for YOU. I still love Nick! He is entitled to his opinion and is so funny with it.
I can't see carpeted bathrooms ever coming back. People understand now that it's very unhygienic
We had shag carpeting in our living room in the 1970’s. Lime green. I would vacuum and rake it. I knew that wall to wall rugs are terribly unhygienic. The toilet area? 100X worse.
We must be vigilant!
When I was a kid, I remember my parents putting carpet in the kitchen and even as a little boy I told my mother I thought it was wrong, after I heard her cursing about all the stains, she had it ripped out and had wood floors installed.
Honestly, I've never seen a carpeted bathroom in real life, but I can just imagine the smell from looking at those photos. Yuck.
I just purchased a house in Texas with brand new carpet running from the main bedroom through the bathroom and into the walk in closet. Of course I’m redoing all the floors before my family moves in but when I saw it during the walk through, my thought was, who has carpet in the bathroom.
While living with a boyfriend 20 years ago, he had a glass coffee table. One day I picked up my bottle of soda from the stone coaster, the coaster came with the bottle and before I could grab it, the coaster fell off about 6 inches on to the table. The whole table shattered and I have a piece of glass in my foot to this day. I still remember my shock at how such a small thing shattered the table. I will never have glass furniture.
It feels like there are just 2 types of people at this point:
People who have glass furniture related trauma,
And people who have never owned glass furniture.
Yikes. Hope you can get a doctor to remove that glass for you!
You ever seen those hammers used to break car windows in an emergency? Same idea. Tempered glass contains stresses (which is why they're stronger than normal glass) that means once it starts breaking, the entire thing is going to fail. One not even hard whack with a sharp point can destroy the whole thing. Using stone coasters on one is just dumb, especially if it's got sharp edges.
Have you seen "the toe bro" on RUclips might be able to get that glass out for you. He removed a tooth pick that was stuck in someone's foot.
I agree in every way about popcorn ceilings. I want to add that I believe they often exist as a part of sound control in apartments, cuts down on echos and whatnot.
I really appreciate your channel in a sea of influencers restocking, re doing rooms. DIY. You are teaching people that you don’t have to do all that. And to invest in quality pieces and find your own style. Thank you!
"I love glass in windows! Its a great material, just not good for tables" Nick, dont ever lose your sassy streak! Thats what i love about you!!!
Yesssss my favorite RUclipsr just posted!! Your confidence, sass, and comedic timing are unparalleled.
Love Nick slowly turning into Mad-Eye Moody 😂
„Constant vigilance!“
Hi Nick, architecture hobbyist here! The term you're looking for when discussing why stone veneer feels so fake is tectonics. Buildings that express tectonics have materials that are either a) directly involved in the structure and its construction, or b) mimic that effect so well that ordinary people can't tell. A building with poor tectonics has elements that appear like cladding, things that are glued onto the surface,
Mood vs. Theme. Thank you for explaining the difference so succinctly.
Finally, someone who agrees with me about exterior masonry veneer. It seems like people use it to try to look fancier, but when it's clearly a thin fake and only on the front (usually) or a few small areas, it just looks cheap and pretentious. Like it emphasizes that you wanted stone or brick but couldn't really afford it. Whereas if you just use consistent siding and detailing around all sides, whatever that is, it looks more intentional and self-confident.
There’s an enormous $2 million dollar house going up in our modest little neighborhood. The stone guys have been out there veneering it for months.
It looks remarkably cheap.
The red brick veneer I used to cover the cinder block foundation of my 80 year old house looks fantastic.
@@martinmccardell6499 In this case, I believe you🤗
Honestly it screams McMansion to me. I live in a small red brick ranch that was built in the seventies. Painted brick drives me about as nuts as those brick veneer tile things. Most people don't do it properly and it's a job to remove that paint. My sister did that to her 1800s farmhouse. The house was painted white. Now it's the original red brick. Plus I've realized homeowners insurance is a little more in a brick structure which is counterproductive.
Suggestions for covering ugly gray concrete parking on my 1953 house then. I have seen faux stone panels on similar houses and it looks great. Open to suggestions.
I pick my art by going on gallery strolls and picking up prints I like that I can afford. I'm supporting local artists, and I'm getting things I love.
Me too. I save money as I am an artist so I create my own. But I also buy from local artists to help support them. I would like to sell mine for less(I don't really care about the money so much), but have been told by the artist community that that is taboo and frowned on. So now my paintings are piling up! I guess I will have to start painting over painting and re-using canvases. I have been told to try selling on Etsy or something...😮
@@ilikecontent2327I sell my art for fairly cheap at a local Lounge/bar, taboo or not it pays for my hobby that I love so much. Try selling it for cheaper, there isn't anything wrong with doing that. I sell 16x20 framed original art for around $90 to $150 depending on the art size in the frame. I sell out and they cost me about $40 to make, including the frame.
Use the formula $.30 per sq inch. I'm moving up to $.50 per sq inch so I can keep stuff up on the wall to sell.
I want to learn more about choosing pieces for a room that look good together, such as what decor or lighting pieces go well with the furniture I like.
@@nancycy9039 I find that knowing the dominating color in the room helps so the piece harmonizes with the color. Style of furniture... Traditional furniture maybe pick more traditional art pieces like landscapes in oil and portraits with warm wood frames like walnut or mahogany/cherry and for more modern furniture design styles maybe lean towards abstracts and modern prints with sleek frames in black, white, silver, etc. You can't go wrong with a classic black frame and a classic print from say the old masters or a modern artist. 😊
Yes! A lot of artists sell prints of their work. Or smaller originals that are affordable. (Like me!) Good on you for having a bit of imagination and care in your decor choices. You are appreciated!
In our marriage we’ve had to relocate for jobs 7 times. The absolute first thing I usually do is change out the light fixtures. Even if I’m planning a major redo down the line I will temporarily replace light fixtures to change out the look because it is often a cost effective way to feel comfortable in my new home.
Very true. Another thing that will instantly make your place look more high end is to replace those hollow doors with nice doors. Even MDF with fake trim look better, but if you can afford it, get solid wood doors and nice handles. Your entire place will feel luxurious. You’ll get instant feedback all day as you use those doors. Then, you can move onto a good trim job. Get rid of the tract house stuff.
@@jamesdellaneve9005 you are so right! Last summer we had our main floor bathroom entirely redone and at the same time I had them replace every door with solid wood shaker style doors. My husband didn’t quite see why we should go to the expense but once it was done even he had to admit that it made an amazing difference!
@@stuckinmopro8533 I designed and built my Tuscan home. I picked out all of the materials right down to the rebar. I bought mahogany doors made in LA and bought period unvarnished brass door hardware with working skeleton locks. Buying direct saves you a ton. If I hired a General Contractor, it would’ve cost over a $1.2M to $1.5M to build the house. I built it for less than half that and now )6 years later), it’s worth $1.5M. At the time I finished it, it would’ve been worth $900K to $1M.
“Constant vigilance, people!” You’re adorable, Nick!
Tbh, I prefer to hear about products ppl hate 🤭 Keep the snark alive, Nick!
I feel so understood with the dislike of glass tables. Preach. I HATE the sound of a drink being set down on glass. Makes my skin crawl.
Misophonia activated!!!
You don’t use coasters?
I hate glass dining tables...very distracting to see how different people sit/if food drops in their lap, etc. and frankly just visually distracting from the meal itself.
literally, I'm always scared it's gonna like break it too
Totally agree! Always worried I might set it down too hard and chip it or something , especially if you’re drinking from a heavy quality glass !
One of my high school friends posted a few pictures of her and her wife's apartment after they moved and they had a "Let's Eat" wood sign above the bed. I lost my shit in the middle of my dentist's waiting room. It's the only word art I've ever approved of.
Ewww
🤣
Omg!!!😂😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
Incredible❤
Appropriate word art (IMO): my mom ran away from home when she was 5 or 6. She wrote a note on a scrap of paper that read 'I am runing away but I might be back'. Misspelling is hers. My grandmother framed it, and it hung in her bedroom. My grandfather found my mom about a block away, by the way, and got her to come back by taking her for ice cream. It was nothing serious, just childhood drama.
I fully support this!
That's not "word art", that's a memory. She was pretty good for her age to write that well. I hope this precious little piece will go to the next generation.
I misread this as "when *I* was 5 or 6" and was like, WTF is this story
Last week I paused the video and stomped to my living room and got rid of the potpourri! This week I've committed to expediting the removal of my glass dining table! I was in the process of finding a new home for it but thanks for lighting the fire Nick!
I used to do Asbestos inspections. I sampled hundreds of house ceilings and I don't recall ever finding a popcorn ceiling in a house made prior to 1990 that did not have asbestos in it.
Holy crap!
I live in the (arid & hot) southwest. Ceiling fans are so valuable! Even when they have a light in them Actually having a ceiling light as part of the fan can be nice. A/C may be critical, but those ceiling fans are useful.
Yes ! As a pet & house sitter in our midwest town ( hot 'n humid summers ) , homes have AC of course , & often more than one ceiling fan per home - fans can go clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the seasons , to help in heating or cooling a room .
@@cynthiajohnston424 You are so right. that the fans go clockwise or counterclockwise is one of their serious values.
I really don’t have a problem with ceiling lights. As long as you choose a decent looking one. I think most people just jumped on the hate ceiling fans bandwagon.
@@jennifergraham3752 Agree ! As w/ my white ceiling lights , I went w/ a white ceiling fan in the simplest design . 🤍 Prefer to blend rather than contrast - " If it ain't pretty , don't put it out on the porch " . 😅
Yes! The last house I lived in had one in the kitchen! It made cooking so easy and cool!
As an architect, I don't like glue-on exterior fake stone, either. Same reason--masonry has to be used a certain way and most glue-on misses the point.
"Not all my videos are good ones." I beg to differ! Love 'em.
@7:20 My most hated thing is architectural details that make no structural sense. Like fake beams that don't go where beams would logically go, beams that aren't connected to other beams or pillars, that don't seem to be holding anything up, that can't possibly transfer weight anywhere. They're SO easy to spot and it bugs me every single time.
yes! Like in that viral video when they directed the fake beam in the middle of a fireplace chimney, that was so ridiculous.
I love how you don’t judge the way I don’t judge! Once again, my favorite channel to watch!
Can I add my list Nick 1. Mock fake fires with a fake flame 2.table ornaments that are so big you can’t see across the table to your guests. 3. Leather sofas that you stick too especially with giant or large and puffy arms 4.pattern carpets. 5.pedestal mat and toilet seat cover 😂with matching bath mat
YES to all! You could be Nick's assistant!
I'm with you on the fake fires. "Everybody" has one now, electric or gas. They just don't do it for me. I love my old-fashioned wood fireplace with all the ceremony, ambiance, smells and sights that go with it. I'll just stay right here in the 19th century in this corner of my house, thank you.
I am surprised he hasn't done one on the poofy furniture and monstrous manly recliners. And computer gamer chairs Can't get spouse to give them up.
@@marta150 Truth - they are not the most stylish! But they serve a purpose and are comfy. Real people live in real houses - and have to compromise to make happy marriages! So salute to "manly recliners"!
My partner wanted to put a "realistic " fake fire on my staircase wall.
I think people will probably guess its not a real fire darling
I love glass coffee tables because it's easier to windex fingerprints than it is to fix water damage/heat damage to wooden tables.
Yes, I know coasters and trivets exist, but I don't want to play 'table police" all the time.
I really want a glass coffee table with a driftwood base! One of my friends had one in the late 80's and I always loved it.
As far as safety goes, you have to get tempered glass of a substantial thickness with a rounded edge....
Yes this is exactly why I love glass. Also wood has a tendency to warp in very dry or very humid environments. I know that from experience.
Yep, if you’re willing to constantly clean it, then good for you! I have to admit, for a coffee table, with all the caveats you mentioned, they have some charm, especially with a unique and natural wood base.
"Creating a feeling." I love this concept.
I like the Calligaris Tokyo dining table. Walnut legs, glass top. Looks great with a runner, placemats, a tablecloth etc.
You are SO impatient… I love that hahaha
I like vertical blinds!! They are very practical, and yes, they do block light.
I had to spend a lot of $, but I got some great Hunter-Douglas solid shades for my patio door and window. They’re electric which is great. They look so much more, I don’t know, fresh? Au courant? My vertical blinds kept being damaged by my cats and dogs. They just always wanted to look outside at the squirrels, birds, and deer! Anyway, I’m glad you’ve had a good experience with vertical blinds.
Agree with you. Nick is wrong about them being unable to block out light. That said, I am saving up to afford to replace them with draperies.
My allergist had me replace all the drapery in the house,especially the bedroom, with blinds. Carpets are supposed to go,next.
Mine block light. My dad washed his successfully in the machine. I agree they get dirty & are boring, but angled, it stops people gawping in. 🇬🇧
Nick seems to be such a sweet, thoughtful person that his hating anything is just delicious 😆
Nick, I hired a guy who specializes in skimcoating drywall over popcorn ceiling rather than removing it, and got a great result for my place in kits. Didn’t have to move out or anything. Loved it!
Wow this is VERY INTERESTING! Did the results look thick or weird ? Would love to know more!
Yeah, we’re going to need some good B&A pics/vid.
May I ask how much it was and how big your apartment is? Because I'm near Vancouver and was quoted like 10k to remove the popcorn ceiling of my 2 bedroom condo LOL. I'll learn to love it at that price sorry
@@crazyliv I had mine done about 10 years ago so this price is outdated but I paid about $4000 for 650sq.ft. Best to get an up to date quote
@@jessicahavens-ziebarth9409 Next time I do a Reno, I’ll vlog it. This one is long sold now.
In defence of glass coffee tables: I believe they can be lovely. I have a birch framed one and I love it and am trying to find a replacement. I have one floor to ceiling, relatively narrow, window in my living room and the table top bounces the light beautifully. As a bonus it reflects the tree outside and I get views of the birds in the upper branches that I wouldn't see otherwise. That brings me so much joy.
Yes it does show marks from mugs but my thinking is it shows the dirt that would be lurking there anyway on another surface.
“Be vigilant” 😂 my favorite quote of this video. I love his videos, very genuine and tells it how it is. Very refreshing! ❤
The idea of mood or concept instead of a theme is helpful.
Exterior stone veneer is what we call “lick and stick.” It is also known to leak because water gets behind it and into the house. It’s cheap junk.
The part about living room sets saved my life. The absolute deathgrip Ashley furniture has on rural America is unbelievable
I love my glass lamp tables. My family are for sure, going to forget the coasters. This way, it’s not a worry.
OMG my mom does themed rooms. Her living room theme is Gone With The Wind. For a while the guest bathroom was the Vietnam War. Her bedroom theme is The Beatles. It’s tacky and hilarious. But that’s my mom and I love her.
Oh, good. It’s not just me. Detest bathroom carpets (actually don’t care for carpet anywhere, but especially the bathroom), word art (I think I know which room I’m in), and hideous vertical blinds. But I absolutely love Nick!
I dislike popcorn ceilings as well. As im doing a full reno I decided instead of scraping it off I just added another layer of 5/8 drywall on top. It now looks like a brand new job, which it is. It also adds to soundproofing for downstairs.
I used to think the exterior stone veneer was actually expensive masonry. Once I realized that it was fake, I felt a lot better about my own house's vinyl siding, lol.
I live near one of the Great Lakes and many of the old homes are made of lake rock…smooth round rocks probably carried by wagon from the shore. I have never seen fake stone that recreates that look. I would add that to the bottom two thirds of my house with cedar shakes on the upper third. Every thing looks like shale.
Well, some are. Not all are fake.
I have a wall in my basement laundry room with an old ironing board, an old washtub, a washboard and several cute wall stuff that say Laundry. I get lots of compliments on it.
I’m in the middle of a “Reno” ( removing vinyl floor and replacing with tile. And painting every wall and baseboard 😅 )
I have your channel on loop listening to ALL your videos and it’s the ONLY thing that is keeping my motivation going. I love your honesty.. and the carpeted bathrooms bring back memories of my grammas house. She also had a carpeted kitchen 😂😂😂
My grandfather built many homes with the large stones found around the property. They are still standing and now worth a fortune! My father RIP Dad, who recently passed, couldn't believe the pictures found online of the first home. He remembered having to find the stones for his father.... the difference between real and fake is remarkable!
That's so cool
@@ColletteAileen I thought so! I was astonished to find the first house my grandfather ever built online! My father said my uncle was teaching my grandfather how to do masonry with stone but then dropped off and my grandfather was only partially finished but managed to complete the masonry and all the other carpentry of the house. So cool is right. Thank you!❤️
You had me at “crotch staring”. Less than two minutes in and I’m dying! 😂😂
Agreed. But our oriental rugs look great through the lovely glass coffee tables. I don't find finger prints a problem but they can get a bit dusty. Only takes a second to dust with a microfiber towel.
I find glass much easier and actually healthier then wood..
No chemicals needed to keep up. ( plus I am very chemical sensitive)
Also makes a smaller space larger looking.
@bawillard2578 You can keep up wood nicely with just a bit of linseed oil and a dust cloth. I have an oak chest of drawers from the 1920s and I've never used any "chemicals" on it.
What do you use to clean your glass table?
@@rebeccabilly7466 Yeah, no need for that can of waxy substance with chemicals.
@@rebeccabilly7466 I use water and a microfiber towel.
Micro or cotton cloth w H20.
I had a kitschy themed kitchen on purpose. Cow was the theme. It was a rental house and I had to do tons of painting, floor refinishing and trim scraping and lots. The walls in the kitchen had a rubber, teal and black checked floor, pine cabinets from eons ago, aqua formica and a cardboard substance on the walls. So I went totally kitschy and painted the walls black and white cow blotches. Cows on shelves that were gifts. The rest of the place looked clean but classic and the kitchen was wild. Probably would not do that again, but it was fun in a crazy way.
So glad you mentioned Wayfair's Iconic Object video series on Facebook last week. Really enjoying them- quick, funny, informative:)
My husband is a red seal painter, drywaller. Yes, popcorn ceiling is a double whammy of 1. An "easy" way to cover up a sloppy drywall job, so many older drywall finishers will opt for it because the ceiling it the most tedious to finish WELL.
And 2. They're the most annoying to patch/fix because matching the texture never works as well as you think it will.
Also, because of the "cover up" aspect, you can almost ALWAYS see the sheet rock seams that weren't properly finished under them.
Contractor asked if we were doing “textured” ceilings. I just stared at him until he finally said “Well I guess not.” Beautiful, smooth ceilings and no boob lights to be found. We did wood slat ceiling in main room for variation.
They also serve as noise dampening. Well done projects don't show any marks.
Interesting. Australian here. Only seen 1 popcorn ceiling in my life and it was in a motel. I was surprised to hear they are still being installed in the US.
I have a popcorn ceiling in the house I have bought. Hate it. Also had a leak and 1 3rd of the ceiling needed repair so now I have the problem of either putting it back in the repaired place (can't find a contractor who can do it) or having an asymmetric ceiling or completely changing the whole other ceiling
Our popcorn ceiling is cement like. Impossible to remove. My husband removed it in the hall but it was a hellish experience. The home was built in the 50's. Wish it was the scrape off popcorn,
Nick, you are the vigilante that we need!
I’m sitting here in my beach themed spare room that I decorated to make me feel like I’m in a beach themed bedroom in a condo at Ocean City lol. It’s my one room that is ky tacky ocean room and my guilty pleasure lol. The rest of my home is tastefully decorated and curated with mostly antiques but dang I love hanging in my tacky cutesy beach room lol. Also my grandkids love the room and that makes me smile 😊
We are in the California Valley and it gets boiling in the summer. Every room has a ceiling fan with "boob" lights. I don't mind the look, and we NEED the fans. They are all in the oil rubbed bronze that matches the hardware on our doors.
I also despise carpet in bathrooms, again, it was cheap for the developers. It definitely is non-negotiable for me.
Nick, i found your channel a few months ago. Love, love, love!! Your content is amazing, your personality makes me want a best friend like you 😂 watching your videos helps my anxiety a great deal, but now I'm exhausted for the past few weeks because I binge watch your videos on my TV. Guess what...WORTH it!! Much love from Michigan ❤
"I don't know anything about it, but here we go..." 🤣🤣 Priceless! I once rented a townhome that was 100% carpeted. Every room. Kitchen and bathrooms too. I had a toddler at the time. Can you imagine meal and bath time?
Yuck! I am so sorry you had to go through that!
I inherited my grandmother 's glass dining room table that was placed on a laminate marble pedestal. That thing was so heavy and so riddled with fingerprints that when I watched it walk out the door as a donation, I feel like my shoulders dropped a mile. I was so happy to be rid of it.
I agree with everything except the wood veneer. Good quality veneer is used in fine furniture and has been for centuries. It has more structural stability in varying indoor humidity levels. Also some fancy veeeners would be totally unsuitable for entire pieces--think of a fancy burled veneer or patterned veneers. Whereas solid pine furniture like many Ikea basics are great for childrens rooms or people just starting out.
As a life long antiques dealer I completely agree. Veneered furniture has been around for a couple centuries..I lie, I just looked it up. According to The History of Wood Veneer, it’s been around for 5,000 years, ever since the Ancient Egyptians. Who knew? 😮
Glass is soooo easy to clean. And it's so satisfying to actually know your eating off a clean table. Wooden tables can hid dirt. I've wiped off a wooden table that I didn't know was dirty and been surprised how dirty it was. Glass shows the cleanliness.
Nick I think I just picked up your exact tv stand off Facebook marketplace today, I’ve never felt so validated in a design choice my life
I recently replaced all of my vertical and roller blinds. I went with white plantation shutters throughout. They look so neat and I love the control you have over how much light comes in and the angle at which it comes in. They aren’t cheap but I am thrilled with them. I also love the fact that they frame the window.
We live in a hail-prone area so outdoor glass tables are definitely a no.
Oh man. The brick veneer is the exterior equivalent of peel sticker tiles as a "kitchen makeover"
I hear you although I’ve lived in rentals in which take-down-at-move-out peel-n-stick backsplash could have upgraded the horridness.
😂😂😂 Such a strong analogy, I will never not remember this now.
Great analogy. Completely agree
Glass is great when you’re trying to “lighten” a space. ESPECIALLY a small space
Agreed! I have a *gorgeous* Italian glass table that totally changed my tiny European dining and living room.
It has fold out panels to be able to invite lots of people (so important in France!), but we cover it when we eat. I hate the finger prints, too!
It is impossible to keep clean, alas, but its so worth it!
Nick, i love your mind and your attitude. The world needs more of you all the time!
I don't know if it's common in other parts of the world, but in Poland, vertical blinds were in EVERY medical space - hospitals, pharmacies, clinics - just everywhere. If you were sitting in any waiting room in these places, you know how it feels when those (probably unwashed for ages) strips touch and rake through your hair... Not pleasant. Now, every time I see them, the space looks like a dental office to me
Yes, that is why many hate them here as well, they look too much like office, medical, commercial space.
Oh man, I felt the glass tables. I got a glass coffee table from my grandparents when they passed away. It's one of my favorite items, it holds so many good memories.
Keep it, who cares what others say. Those are just opinions.
Omg… “your ceiling has acne” 😂 I DESPISE popcorn ceilings! They’re the devil. Ban the popcorn along with any texture walls or ceilings for that matter. (Looking at you grandma swirl ceiling)
Here in the states popcorn ceilings had asbestos even after it was made illegal. Don't know How it was still available, but I did prep for a ceiling shooter & he added asbestos which made a thicker & better covering product. So you can't assume that there's no asbestos because the work was done after it became illegal!
Well done swirl ceilings are great. They fit the look of older New England homes and are done with plaster.
I remember my grandmother was so proud of the refreshed popcorn ceiling….in 1970. She also had carpet and padded toilet seat in the bathroom. Mix Dove and T Gel Shampoo for instant transport to gramma house.
Meh...I couldn't care less. I have textured walls and I like them. With an eggshell paint, they look velvety and like almost textured wallpaper. Popcorn and texture have a reason to be, it is not only for decor.
@@twothirdsanexplosive They look beautiful in older homes, especially 1930's/50's.
100% agree about the boring light fixtures. My toxic trait is that I only like vintage lights. I have put so much time into rewiring and restoring old fixtures for my apartment.
I agree Nick. I had a glass coffee table for a long while. It was two bevelled panels inlaid in dark wood in a laquered psuedo asian style that went with a lot of things. BUT, the glass was ALWAYS dirty, regardless of constant cleaning. Thanks for the reminder.