A friendly reminder that one of our key rules of commenting here is: No one can be made to feel bad for their choices. Not when it comes to decorating, at least.
99.95% of all the comments on Retro Renovation are wonderful — our community is awesome! But, I was prompted to repeat this occasional reminder — (and there’s a new twist, keep reading) — because there were a few comments lately that I had to delete altogether, or to edit because of the use of unkind words such as h******, u***, h*** and d****.
In a new twist, I have also begun to notice more frequent comments — almost always from first-time commenters — that are either raving about a product or more likely, expressing complaint. Some of these have smelled funny. Since these kinds of comments can be prone to fraud, please know that from now on, I will likely not approve them unless they come from longtime, known commenters (Note, I also try, in the cases of complaints, to give the company the opportunity to respond.)
This blog is a happy creation. The aim is to be supportive. Respectful. Whatever you put your energy toward — grows. So, continuing and with even more decisive rigor moving forward, I will likely delete such comments tout suit, in order to conserve and keep the positive energy radiating. Read the Terms of Use for other various usage requirements of this blog. Thank you for your understanding and continuing, super-constructive support. xoxo, pam. Image above: Original collage by the famous Anne Taintor herself — see more here.
Mary says
I can’t figure out what those words with all of the stars are. 🙂
Jody B. says
I don’t comment very often; I hope you remember me when I do. I’ll never be a troll! I love your site! I got a lot of ideas for my kitchen from your site.
Thank you for your love of vintage things and your cool site! 🙂
pam kueber says
Thank you! 🙂
Amy Dietz says
Thanks for keeping this website fun, supportive, and HGTV-mind-control-robot free. I’m all for that.
A side note regarding the presence of h***ers on the internet. It’s simply childish attention-seeking behavior. I don’t read it, or respond to it, and it doesn’t keep me up at night. Why would I care what someone on the internet thinks of me?
tammyCA says
I like this site a lot and have to say that I stopped watching HGTV – I found myself cringing more & more than enjoying it since it just doesn’t appeal to my sense of vintage and recycling (well, sometimes I’ll watch house hunters International just because I like to see what other countries look like).
Makes me wonder if the future generations will see a granite countertop, cherrywood cabinets kitchen and say, “but, it looks so Grandma!”
dee kenny says
Good for you! Yours is my favorite blog of all and I just realized that it’s probably because you’re always very positive, besides having the very best info, photos and stories. Thanks for being nice.
Douglas Camin @ House on Rynkus Hill says
Comments are such a double edged sword, and it’s really too bad that some folks feel it gives license to say things they wouldn’t otherwise say to someone face to face. You do a great job here keeping it positive without making it feel like it isn’t genuine.
Recently I saw an article about comments in general – wouldn’t apply 100% to here, since comments are in some ways the lifeblood of the site, but for other sites that give news and\or factual information, new studies have shown that the comments, even one poor one, inadvertently skews the opinions of those coming to read the article later. It led Popular Science to stop allowing comments on their site. Here was their explanation, worth a read in any circumstance because it highlights one of the challenges we face finding information on the Internet: http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/why-were-shutting-our-comments
pam kueber says
yikes
Deborah says
I love your website. I am one of those people with granite. We live in a 15 year old house that we hope to sell within the next 10 years and it is mandatory for resale value in our area! I cannot remake my modern house into retro but I love mid century modern (I grew up in mid century modest) and seem to be reliving my childhood. Through your web sight I have gotten ideas that I can incorporate into my basic newer home to have the warmth and unique character of this time. It all started with Christmas decorations. I have been mixing old with new for about a year now and feel I am making progress. I even gave a recent bathroom remodel a little of the look. I see many things I would love to do but I have to keep in mind this is not my permanent home and wil be sold one day in a modern rip it out community.
Andrew Wall says
The inherent sense of inclusiveness and being welcome is so important to this site’s sense of creating a celebration of architecture and furnishings that are a reflection of the joys we celebrate. I have been on architectural review commissions which, by definition, must be rigid. This site should always be open to alternate views, culture, taste and dogma. Thank you Pam for helping to create it. It demonstrates the power of the internet, and I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as we all do!
Mary Florence says
On the issue of hate, why is there so much hate directed at granite? It’s a natural product similar to marble or soapstone, durable, and easy to maintain. Most every house I have ever lived in had laminate countertops and every one of them had knife slash marks from someone trying to cut on the laminate. I can see that some of the more exotic granites with large swirls would like out of place in a vintage setting, but many patterns are small and uniform and just as durable as more expensive patterns. At the low end of pricing, granite is comparable to solid surfacing, tile, and more expensive laminates, which by the way, are often patterned to resemble granite.
pam kueber says
Mary Florence, I will speculate: Many of us here have a negative attitude toward granite because the design-powers-that-be… the marketplace… “h**te” laminate. They (the granite and the “spend more more more” marketing machine) want us to think what we have is inadequate… Watch the tv home design shows, and the folks virtually spit on laminate as if it were poison. Alas, hate breeds hate, and it’s hard, once disgust is thrown at you, not to react viscerally by throwing it right back. Yes, better that we laminate-lovers take the high road, ignore what others think, quietly save our money, put on a big smile — and with that, seek to change the dynamic. In this sense, your point is well taken, Mary Florence.
All that said, and relative to the design aesthetic and overall principles of this blog: Back in the day, there were no granite counter tops. If you want to go for an “authentic” mid century kitchen, laminate is the way to go. Relatedly, most mid century houses used materials that today would be considered humble. I personally have a hard time “seeing” how granite really fits with the rest of the architecture. Also note, I recently heard some horror stories about low-end granite’s structural integrity (lack thereof); be careful, it may well be that in this area, you get what you pay for. And finally, while granite may be ‘natural’ — as in from the earth, I have a very difficult time believing its environmental impact is minimal. I would bet ceramic tile and laminate must have the least overall environmental impacts — evidenced by the lower cost.
Of course, it’s your house — weigh the choices and how “authentic” you want to be and do what you choose!
Andrew Wall says
I think laminate gets a bad rap when it tries to imitate natural materials (like wood grain, granite). Personally, the laminates that cannot be replicated/ or imitated with natural materials are the best, because they are unique. For this reason, contemporary laminates are better than ever. Period laminates often violate my personal preference, in that they are wood grain or try to imitate another substance. Although, I must admit, I h*** [edited] the ubiquitous gold-flecked white laminate, which is completely period correct to the 60’s-70’s.
Incidentally, I really love older linoleum countertops with chrome edge banding. Preferably combined with stainless counters around the sink. Very early post WWII. Also not durable. No one sane would reinstall them.
pam kueber says
But…. most of the old linoleum is imitating marble! How does that fit into your worldview?!
The history of laminate and its pattern evolution is very interesting. I actually know quite a bit about it now, from reading two books about the history of Formica but moreover — Grace Jeffers’ masters thesis!
Andrew Wall says
Pam, you are correct to call me on that!! That is an excellent point that linoleum itself imitates other natural products on occasion. Lincrusta wall covering has been imitating leather wall coverings for over 100 years!
I must admit that my tolerance for the imitation designs of linoleum vs those of laminate have to do with the ubiquitous nature of the latter as compared to the former during the 1970’s and 1980’s. You can take only so much imitation wood grain when you are young. Linoleum was vilified by many old house folks who had to rip it out at the end of it’s life, but I loved the patterns and colors in homes I had lived in.. IMHO, it’s become respected again for its durability and unique design in the commercial world. I predict the same will be true of laminates.
pam kueber says
“You can take only so much imitation wood grain when you are young.”: Ain’t it true!
Agreed — linoleum was vilified, but now it’s hip again! Hey, terrazzo was vilified… now, highly desirable! And vintage laminate in the groovy 1950s abstracts, in particular — YES! Glitter, too! The rare is the good!
lad1818 says
The first time I, as a prospective buyer, saw my 1946 house, I was thrilled that the kitchen had not been updated with granite. My own main complaint with granite is that the patterns and colors don’t seem to go with food to me – it’s not appetizing. But that’s me, many others obviously disagree. One thing I dislike about the house-hunting shows is that, aside from people spouting cliches they’ve heard others spout (and really, that good-sized kitchen is not big enough? Are you a caterer?) – the thing I dislike most is hearing people mock what’s already there. I keep thinking of the former owners and the pride with which they once installed whatever is being branded as “dated” now. Anything we put in will be dated 20 years from now – therefore forget “new” – or “in style” – just put in what you genuinely like. Chances are if you like it now, you’ll like it years from now too. And I love this website – and thanks to one of your links, I now have some spiffy kitchen curtains!
pam kueber says
Exactly: “…the thing I dislike most is hearing people mock what’s already there. I keep thinking of the former owners and the pride with which they once installed whatever is being branded as “dated” now.”
Julia B. says
It’s amazing how many people think they can be rude online just because they are shrouded in anonymity. Why are those h****s commenting here anyway? If retro isn’t your thing, that’s okay, but you don’t have to share your negative opinion of it with a community that’s clearly all about retro. Kudos for keeping the blog a happy place!