Houzz Call: Share Your 'Dad Decorating' Fails!
Have you saved your home from your partner's questionable decorating? Read our stories, then share your pain
The problem with taste is we all think we have it. Unfortunately, when it comes to particular people in our lives, nothing could be further from the truth. The stories below are a small sample of real-life ‘decorating-gone-wrong’ tales supplied by Houzz staffers. We know there are many more stories out there and we’d love to hear them. So tell us your dad or partner’s worst decorating disasters and near-misses in the Comments section below – as they say, a problem shared is a problem halved.
Note: The images used in this story are all examples of decorating done right, and have been chosen to illustrate what’s possible when you and your partner are both on the same page. Because that happens too.
Note: The images used in this story are all examples of decorating done right, and have been chosen to illustrate what’s possible when you and your partner are both on the same page. Because that happens too.
Then there’s the…
Train-obsessed fellow who waited until his wife was away, and then swapped random artwork on the walls for newly acquired train artwork, hoping no one would notice.
Train-obsessed fellow who waited until his wife was away, and then swapped random artwork on the walls for newly acquired train artwork, hoping no one would notice.
And the…
Partner who ‘showed initiative’ while his other half was overseas… by replacing the original, sticky, door lock on their historical home. The result? A professional had to be called in to replace not just the lock, but the entire door.
Partner who ‘showed initiative’ while his other half was overseas… by replacing the original, sticky, door lock on their historical home. The result? A professional had to be called in to replace not just the lock, but the entire door.
Or the…
Father who volunteered to buy a bath mat for the family home, which he shares with his wife and two adult children. He returned home with florid pink and purple Hannah Montana number… because it was on sale, of course.
Father who volunteered to buy a bath mat for the family home, which he shares with his wife and two adult children. He returned home with florid pink and purple Hannah Montana number… because it was on sale, of course.
And let’s not forget…
The husband whose craving for stark minimalism led him to rip up all the terracotta tiles and decorative detailing around the pool and entertaining area of his French provincial-style home… which he then replaced with sleek frameless-glass fencing and large-format limestone paving. The result? A home that’s one part traditional French country and the other sleekly modern.
*It’s been seven years and his wife still hasn’t quite forgiven him.
The husband whose craving for stark minimalism led him to rip up all the terracotta tiles and decorative detailing around the pool and entertaining area of his French provincial-style home… which he then replaced with sleek frameless-glass fencing and large-format limestone paving. The result? A home that’s one part traditional French country and the other sleekly modern.
*It’s been seven years and his wife still hasn’t quite forgiven him.
But the award goes to…
The dad who proudly presented his two young daughters with a clown painting for their shared room. Problem was, the clown was more menacing than adorable (and was inexplicably holding a duck on a leash). The girls went to bed every night in terror, convinced that the clown was glaring at them while they slept.
*His daughter, now 31, says: “I still hate clowns.”
The dad who proudly presented his two young daughters with a clown painting for their shared room. Problem was, the clown was more menacing than adorable (and was inexplicably holding a duck on a leash). The girls went to bed every night in terror, convinced that the clown was glaring at them while they slept.
*His daughter, now 31, says: “I still hate clowns.”
Now, over to you!
Tell us about those times your partner/dad/significant other (we don’t want to pick on just dads) meant well in the decorating or DIY department but, endearingly, failed.
Tell us about those times your partner/dad/significant other (we don’t want to pick on just dads) meant well in the decorating or DIY department but, endearingly, failed.
The partner, entrusted to buy a shower curtain (his first attempt at having a say in the decorating scheme), who came home with a bright-blue nylon sheet from Aldi for an otherwise stylish, neutral-toned bathroom.
*He then wondered why his partner couldn’t look him in the eye for the rest of the weekend.