I am glad I stumbled across this thread! (thanks jnjmom for the orig. post!) I think many posters are right. Some posters just listed their personal preferences/taste as classic and their peeves and trendy and dated, but I still thought that overall, the cross sampling of opinion helped me get some perspective. I assumed that many posters are framing the conversation with respect to standard single family houses, while in NC at least, townhomes are cropping up like weeds. (many of which I'm convinced were thrown up in a hurry during the housing boom and were cheaply and 'trendily' made.) What are there time-stamped building trends in townhouses that you would avoid? (I assume many that apply to houses also apply to townhomes.) One potential 'time stamp' that jumped out at me when looking through the listings were arched entry ways and arched cutouts  all in townhouses built in the early 2000s. In a townhouse especially, they strike me as 'time stamped'. I used to live in an old 1950s home with a gorgeous arched front door, but had no other arches entryways, and I would never call it trendy. However, I've been avoiding those "obviously arched" entryways and cutouts in my search because regardless what I think of them personally, I think a square entry to another room or hall is- well, standard, and I have to consider eventual resell. Some of the comments mentioned the unnecessary interior molding. I think it is so true! I've seen it in so many 'luxury apartments' but I didn't think of it, so thanks. Some townhouses do have two story and vaulted rooms, and while I personally donÂt mind them, I do consider the future energy costs associated with heating and cooling them down the road when I want to sell. If you have any other townhouse Âtime stamps (with regard to design not personal décor) please post! Thanks

I think that our old kitchen was very 1970's. It was built around 1975 in a large custom MCM house - very California suburban - one story, lots of windows. This was meant to be fairly upscale. It had some features very popular on Gardenweb. The layout was nearly perfect for us. The lower cabinets are mostly drawers. There is a small prep sink on the corner of the island. Note the yellow sink that matches the awful artistically bumpy tile with awful grey-brown wide grout. They liked colored plumbing fixtures: one bathroom had robins egg blue sinks, one had avocado green sink and toilet. The cabinet in the corner next to the sink had one of those general purpose motor bases with the cabinet to hold the attachments (blender, mixer, etc). The faucet and hot water dispenser were changes that we put in - the original faucet was plain with a separate sprayer: The upscale features of the time were the biggest problems of the kitchen. The wall ovens were a bleeding-edge-of-technology Thermadore. The upper oven was suppose to be a combination microwave and conventional (predecessor to today's speed ovens). The microwave function was broken when we moved in. We had it repaired and it worked twice before blowing out again. It turned out that my sister had the same model and repaired it twice with the same experience so we used it just as conventional. The clock failed 2 or 3 times during 20 years and the self clean requires it to work. The early flat ceramic cooktop had three thermostatically controlled burners that would only work with a perfectly flat bottomed pot (and not that great even with that) and one high heat burner that would work with more pots but wouldn't go to a simmer. Any temperature adjustments took forever to take effect.

Our color palette. Sofa/loveseat is green. Panels are purple as is the ottoman The whole house was painted last year (Dunn Edwards Bone) and carpet was put in right after that. All the trim and doors are pure white. The downstairs is all open concept. I do not want to repaint. Replacing drapes, buying new artwork and reupholstering any of the furniture is not in the budget. What I would like to do is add a bit of interest by introducing a new color to use in throw pillows and blanket. I thought it would be simple. It’s not! I appreciate the samples many have provided. I guess the bone wall color might preclude using a white background fabric (?). The fabric I posted, while the colors are right, seems a bit bland. Just looking for suggestions for a fabric that will work. No energy (or money ) to redo much else.

Oh. Silly me, thank you for clarification. So. I believe something like dark blue, glossy and brilliant, can be used for cabinets, it should work with granite, and you paint backsplash and tile with the warmest white so still is not too stark against granite, kinda borrow the most light color found in the granite.But you'll have darker kitchen, and maybe more prone-to chipping tiles, I never had painted tiles but heard different opinions on them, some were very favorable too. And you'll have warmer tiles next to "cooler" paint. Can still work if repeated around -but not sure it's the look you're after. Or- you paint cabinets this blue(as an example), but leave the rest the same. I'm not sure how you benefit from this endeavor, except of introducing color where stain was(stain is very nice btw). But if you really love the idea-something like rich blue would work with golden tones of everything else. Or-and might be making most sense-you leave the cabinets as they are now, save on all this paint, change granite and backsplash that are most "tuscan" of all, which is not to say they're bad, -and have a great kitchen. That might not need future remodel. (unless you're changing the layout)Cabinets seem to be in great shape. You can paint then floor tiles only, or make them work. Or-you simplify backsplash only, go for something glike glossy ceramics -it won't be stark white, since it has to work with granite..but it'll change the vibe significantly enough. You won't change the color scheme enough, but you'll take the kitchen in the direction where you want to see it. Maybe it'll bug you less if at all. I'd bring samples and try to see them in your space. i might even tape a paper over the backsplash (or on the flooring too) to see how it might look with different colors, get an impression-what will make the most differemnce, what might work, what not, what might be worth the hard work, and what really waits because the newer is not better than the old. Me-I'd do nothing, besides decorating with things I love that bridge colors and styles together. Unless the kitchen is in such conrtadiction with the rest of the house it literally pains me. You chose a nice hardware, I love your lighting fixture which I presume you picked..walnut floors should work with just about everything, although would be nice to see them...I think you'll pull it all off so it ties together nicely. I really do hope others weigh in (maybe they did already while I was wtiting this essay lol)