How to Avoid Tacky and Outdated Decor

Well if it's a decorative element and it's fake or imitation could be tacky..Most of us have our likes and dislikes should be getting refined over time..We've seen the design shows..and we learn as we go.

Fake plants are dust catchers, and because they don't need attention, we tend to over look them and its not long before they are caked with dust and have cob webs..my suggestion: opt for the real deal. They may require some light and watering, but they add a sense of style you just cant get that fake rubber, rubber tree plant..(wink) . Now, lets say you don't have a green thumb which got you involved with fake plants in the first place..hmmmmmm....well in most cases, better to have no plants than fake ones but if you just gotta..here's some suggestions ... when buying fake plants for your home, re pot them in Terra-cotta or high end planters to upgrade them to a better standard. Use less, in the world of fake plant gardens is definitely more..also, don't go cheap..if you must buy fake, get good quality plants. You will more than likely find better quality in furniture stores and slightly more upscale home centers. You might want to mingle the fake with some real so that on first impression, they are all real, and your friends and family will think you're a natural steer them away quickly if they start looking too long.

Fake flowers, if fake plants are tacky, fake flowers usually are as well. Keep in mind with regards to color, if it doesn't occur in the natural world, its even more tacky than just being fake. What does this mean exactly? Well generally speaking flowers in the real world come in almost all colors, but one thing for sure, they don't come with their own glitter. Not to mention extremely bright shades of green, pink, and remember, there are no blue Magnolias, ha ha. Do not put anything that could be used as a funeral arrangement in your home. That should be a no brainer..but..well..you probably know someone that has something that could easily be used in a funeral home right now..

Dried flowers, used to be a hip thing..maybe if you're living in the country in the average everyday world, please, dried flowers are just a glorified term for dead flowers. They're messy, dust catching and just funky..well that is my opinion..someone may beg to differ.

Fake lawn birds..good rule of thumb, if its pink and plastic and a flamingo, just don't do it. I think that is all I can say.

Do it yourself faux painting - Keep it simple, leave faux finishes to the experts, and even then, its not always a win. Faux finishes are a personalized choice and will not apply to all tastes, therefore if you see yourself selling any time in the near future, opt out of that. Its a lot of hard work that may have to be painted when you sell and that is just not worth it.

Calling your outdated home " Retro"? ha, nice try..that may fool a few some people some of the time but, most people most of the time will say, "ew, old."

As a general rule of thumb, if its ten years or older, --doesn't matter what it is..it needs updating. That retro look if done properly costs a pretty penny and has to be legit. Just because you haven't updated anything since the Carter administration, doesn't mean you're pulling off an effective "retro design ".. far from it. So if that sofa is plaid, or that fridge is avocado green, time for an overhaul. Pulling off a true retro look requires money, know how and talent. Leave that to a professional, and stop being miserly and buy some upgrades while I'm thinking about it..Velvet hangings on the wall of dogs playing pool, or a velvet Elvis hanging up somewhere..please...tell me you didn't you did..do you have a cellar? A basement, a garage, or a trash can? Yeah, I'm cold,..chuck the vacation decorative pillows too..well you wanted to know what tacky was..and I've barely scratched the surface.
Happy designing!!