Late this past summer, while contractors were at my home adding more insulation to my attic, a momentous thunderstorm swept through town. It was so fearsome that everyone stopped whatever they were doing and gathered in the garage to watch. We were there for just three or four minutes when BOOOOOM, right across the street a super-powered thunderbolt pounded into my neighbor’s front yard right. At least, it seemed that close… it was so fast. You could feel the strike deep into your reptilian brain.
Initially, there seemed to be no consequences. But when I drove down the lane on an errand a bit later, I saw that a humongous, old tree had been hit and fallen three houses down, at the intersection leading toward town. The entire DPW and firetrucks and gosh, everyone, was buzzing, it was some excitement.
Moreover, that night, when we went to watch TV: Nothing. No signal on two of the three TV sets in the house. Darnit, another project. Fast forward a couple days and a couple of service guys, and it seems the lightning came right through the (unground) cable and electrocuted the TVs. Today, we are proud owners of a big honkin’ flat screen with surround sound and high def and some variety of better cable service with 600 channels and which will be dissatisfying us by next year, I’m sure.
Our old TV was very old, so my husband likes to say, we have now left the 1990s and entered the 21st century. But not so fast. The first thing I want to look up, once I learn to triangulate the three remotes, is: Portlandia — a brand-new TV show where, yes, they they still dream of the 90s. It looks pretty funny. I like my satire. Note: Comedy/satire can be offensive… no political statement intended, not the purpose of the blog… and actually, in its way, I think this video actually pokes fun at all/both sides… Also, there is one reference to anatomical parts. Be forewarned.
Hey! My first post on the 90s!
I was bigtime decorating obsessed that decade. As I recall, the top trends included, (in no particular order):
- Pine furniture….
- Shabby Chic…
- Oversized slipcovered sofas…
- Corian countertops…
- Apron sinks…
- Arts & Crafts furniture…
- White kitchens with ivy trellis wallpaper…
- Huge prints of a pears…
- “Bringing the outside in” with architectural ornamentaion…..
What else, readers? I bet most of us were there! Note: BE NICE, everyone! This is not a post intended to diss the 90s.
Ann-Marie says
Garages sticking way out in front of the house. This one started in the 90’s, and is still hanging on in some places.
In my online search for my mid century dream home, this feature makes it easy to jump past a whole decade.
pam kueber says
Yes, I wrote a story about that garage trend for the Ann Arbor News!!! Also, how about: smallish McMansions decked out in victorian gingerbread?
Gavin Hastings says
Wall paint techniques that can only be re-modeled by installing new drywall.
Aiming to redecorate an entire room on 100 bucks.
Painting every wall with enamel paint and a 3/4 inch nap (orange peel effect)
Huge furniture…huge….all covered in a floral tapestry.
And lastly- Home decor intended to last no more than 2-3 years…
Andrea says
Celestial prints! Everything had suns and moons and stars on it, it seemed. Definitely the hunter green and burgundy colours, to a lesser extent navy blue. Ivy prints and fake ivy for the kitchen.
Cara says
Throw in a dolphin or two and/or a unicorn.
I saw a bathroom recently covered top to bottom in navy blue with those gold stars, suns and moons and it made me think 90’s! I used to love that stuff!
Puddletown Cheryl says
As a longtime Portland resident I have met every character on that show (more than once I might add). lol. Puddletown is one of the LARGE number of nicknames Portland has. City of Roses, Bridgetown, Rip City, Stumptown and City of Parks. Don’t quote me on this but I think Portland has the largest park within city limits, Forest Park, the smallest, the size if a phone booth and dedicated to the little people and one on top of an extinct volcano to mention just a few. Gosh, I love this often eccentric city. We have some wonderful mid century stuff too.
pam kueber says
I could SO live in Portland! Every time I visit I fall in love!
Eliza says
We just got into the TV in an Armoire thing a couple of years ago – talk about behind the curve. But we now have two small kids and about a billion old VHS barney videos handed down and no place to store them out of sight, so we decided to do the armoire thing so we could stash all the tapes on the bottom shelf and close the doors so we don’t have to see the mess. Function and frugality over style in our house, I guess. We still have a working VCR, all the tapes were free, and our dinky 27 inch tv has no trouble fitting inside.
Wendy2 says
I live in Tennessee, so it’s practically the 90’s right now.
I’ll add plant shelves (I had fake greenery everywhere!), and “Bennigan’s Chic,” with old toys and electronics collecting dust on every surface.
TappanTrailerTami says
“I live in Tennessee, so it’s practically the 90?s right now.”
Definitely one of the funniest comments in this thread! LOL!
52PostnBeam says
Toward the end of the decade, modern contemporary / IKEA (see David Fincher’s ‘Fight Club’ 1999). Here in the SouthWest it has been Spanish Revival for the last 100 years, but I remember the economic boom of the 90s and as the start of the mini mansion trend, which really took off in the 00s. Sorry to get ahead here. I was in art school in the 90s and didn’t pay attention to anything mainstream!
Leslie says
This was the topic of discussion at our “snow day” breakfast here in Albuquerque, NM! In the Land of Enchantment southwest decor is never out of style, howling coyotes and pottery with bold accents were popular. Large over- stuffed leather sofas, the chair and a half, dark red accent wall, pickled wood and berber carpet stand out. The home office was really big with computer armoires. Along with the hunter green/burgandy color scheme we remembered the salmon/blue combination being popular. Of course the wallpaper borders!
pam kueber says
The chair-and-a-half! Yes! I still have one tucked in the storage part of my basement. It is oversized and slip-covered: Sage green. Sage green! How about also: Martha Stewart colors? Those eggshell pastels…
Patty says
They still sell that chair…a sad comment on the health/weight of Americans.
Cloud says
Big square tile floor, probably ceramic and white – either in the kitchen, or the entire main living area. Open floor plans. “Lofts” in the second story. Vertical blinds. And yes, the carpet was almost always gray. Big huge “entertainment center”/ bookcases in dark cherry wood. In kids’ bedroom furniture, we hit what I used to call the black/white/metal combo: black metal tubular bunk beds, black metal desk with white top, white wire shelving, etc. Oh, and every kid I knew had a Pet Net in the corner of the bedroom for stuffed animals. In the mid-90s, I distinctly remember jewel tone stuff for teens – a combo of royal purple/bold turquoise, specifically.
Patty says
Yea, the pet net! Do they still do that? Haven’t been in any kids bedrooms in awhile.
Cara says
YES! I had a pet net hanging under my loft bed along with a black metal tube desk with a white top. I wanted the bright red metal loft bed with the built in desk underneath but my dad bought me a bland wood one because it was sturdier.
I’m not sure if they still sell pet nets but I always see them at garage sales.
MCM is grand says
Yes, I remember the vertical blinds, my mom had those installed in every bedroom and even the family room. Now, 20 years later, the plastic “trim” that held each blind and the valance in place is now discolored and brittle. Those metal looped chains that pull to open and close the blinds are a hazard to small children as well. Good riddance!