Here's a tip: visit a new construction model home, as well as an investor-flip home. Don't copy anything you see in those houses.

"mistake 1" about boring tile....Wouldn't "tile with personality" just become the "questionable design choice" in a short time? Basic tile doesn't deserve the criticism b/c it has the potential to be much more long lasting than some trendy application that you'll hate in a few years. Mistake 2 says to think about the timeless aspect of your choices. Your design pesonality can come about in yur non-permanent decor choices.

I personally don’t think “white” kitchens are stale today or will ever be. I want one!

I just painted my kitchen green, which is my favorite color. Take a look at English country and cottage style homes. You will see green kitchens that have been around for many years without going “out of style”.

Pretty sure green is a timeless color for a kitchen and many other things.

I agree with you about buying stock art. I collect art and believe you don’t chose art, it choses you. There are a lot of options where you can buy original art. There are local galleries, and a lot of art school will have student art sales. There a lot of other options but don’t go with stock art to fill space.

Oh my goodness, I can’t even tell you how refreshing it was to hear you talk about bathroom lightning! I never hear designers talk about that, and it’s game-changing. An extra benefit is the unreal boost in self-esteem. 😂 I installed side lights on either side of my bathroom mirror maybe 18 years ago and then later got a sit down vainty for makeup with a round lighted mirror. I would get ready for work and think I looked great, then see myself in the bathroom mirrors there and wonder what happened. End of the day, home from work, I would see my reflection and think “THERE you are, you did look wonderful today!” I have come to realize that the beginning and end of day reflections resonated as true in my brain more than anything else, and so my policy is that every mirror in my home will make people myself and others feel beautiful. I can’t figure out why more people aren’t shouting this from the rooftops! Thank you so much. (I loved your other tips as well, but that one made me almost cheer at my TV.)

My kitchenwalls are warm yellow and still loving it, and I sit there every single day for hours, cooking and reading!! In time I want a hardened glass backsplash with a waterfall on it!!!! Cause that is what I been loving to have for so many years now, longing for it. Sweetie, the art I love the most is way to expensive, cause my favo painter is Van Gogh!!! XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Pinkie

Thank you so much for talking about personal art and buying from an artist. So many interior design shows hang stock art and are more concerned with matching the "art" to the wall colour. Art is so personal and subjective and to support a local artist is very important.

I love the idea of painting your room a timeless neutral but using the 'trendy' colors, like dark green, as accessories: curtains, pillows, decor. If you love it, you can always paint your room green in 6 months, if you don't, next year get new curtains .

Thanks for saying to buy art from a living artist. Not only will the art be better, but the search for art can be fun and educational!

So glad you mentioned the squint technique. 👏👏👏 I've been using it for over 40 years and explain it to friends. Its especially good when choosing paint swatches of different hues as it makes it easier to determine other factors such as lightness/darkness of the paint. Without squinting the eye is fixated only on colour (hue).

I completely agree with you on not buying generic wall art!

Yes!! Say no to green kitchens! I remember when green was big 25 years ago. It was a flash in the pan not to be desired again until the last year or so. I completely agree that in 5 years there will be many people saying "what was I thinking?" LOL. Paint your walls green (if you must) or buy a green couch but please don't use green tiles or cabinets.

My house is only 690 ft.². And my budget is not huge. So I did vinyl plank flooring throughout the entire place. and no, it definitely is not gray. I started the project a couple years ago when I was buying the flooring and it was hard to find anything that was not gray or very dark brown. I finally found something I really like. Everybody I know that putting gray floors now hate them.

Its not subway tile, its running bond pattern. Its been used with brick for centuries because its strong and classic. I installed my kitchen backsplash in botticino 3”x6” running bond and its fabulous. 2”x4” has been done for 15 years, given my kitchen is bigger and my upper cabinets are 40” tall, proportion matters. I removed my 2004 installation which was on trend 4” square tile run straight bottom and too and diagonal inset in the middle. Got tired of it real quick……

I like what you said about putting up art in your wall. I agree to support an artist whose work resonates with you.

This was a mixed bag.

Thanks for refreshing my memory on picture placement. I'm glad more people are thinking about natural wood cabinets. Thanks for pointing it out. It's not mentioned very often. I'm a sucker for all 🎉natural wood . Thanks for the video.

Me: This make me want to buy a house. My Bank Account: Ha ha stop playing

Totally agree about white grout! When we built our house I chose a gorgeous marble look tile and bright white grout for the shower and floor. A year later it was already gross looking 😭 Never again!

I feel like repainting cabinets is pretty easy. I live in an apartment, but I love the green kitchens, especially a dark blue-green. I think whether you like it or not is more important than if it’s a trend. I mean wood is natural and it didn’t stop wood paneling from become dated. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Yikes, I’ve been called out! Bought a ton of similar-looking leather and wood furniture from RH 5 years ago when I moved to a new home.

Good suggestions, only thing, I remember your apartment tour, so nice…except vertical blinds! Yikes! Curtains are needed, keep your verticals open and your curtains could disguise them. Or just talk to your landlord, he may just let you take them down 🤞

How about an episode for renters? It would be nice to get your ideas for those of us who can't change things like tiles and flooring, or renovate our kitchens. 😊

I'm a professional art installer and in my opinion 60 inches to centre is the absolute highest I would go unless its above something like a console or cabinet. anything over 60 inches on an unobstructed wall will be too high. I would personally go for either 56 or 58 inches to centre especially if its a larger piece say over 40 inches in height.

Large scale tiles are a very contemporary look. Not for all of the many traditional style homes out there, including mine. Also will be dated before long.

Must see video before buying any furniture, remodeling kitchen, or painting!

Actually what really matters is that the piece of art you choose speaks to you at a personal level, it can even be stock if it has a theme you love. And forget about buying because of brand name or famous, popular store. That limits you of finding great items at other stores you are not familiar with

Thankyou for the height to hang pictures! I have gone to 'war' about that so many times, once even from resigning from a museum board over it. (I am polite enough I only silently judge peoples personal space if they did it wrong)

The subway tile design is classic, never decorate with "trendy" tile or tile placements such as chevron, use your accessories to add personality.

You have great tips! The grout tip is very helpful. I am restoring my kitchen and bathroom.

Thank you for saying that about artwork! I was about to buy stock art & decided against it because of your vid. I'm planning to transfer homes in a few months & I want to have more art in it. I've decided to create my owm artwork. I bought stuff from "paint by numbers" and I chose drawings which mean something to me. That way, after I've done the paintings, they're more personal since they remind me of different points in my life. Thanks Design Daddy, DD! 👍

I just love all your videos !!!!!!❤

Seal your grout, often. It is easier than cleaning it.

I love the photo at 0:59. It took a minute for me to "get" them all but what a hoot!

"Above and behind lighting....make you look like a witch"....so funny, you crease me up!. 🤣My previous home had the stone floor and 'white grout' thing. And yes, I done the whole toothbrush, bleach down on all fours ....never again!

So many good points in here. Your explanation on hanging art is so helpful, because the standard "hang at eye level" is too subjective. i'm 4'11", so eye level for me is pretty much sternum-level for everyone else -- and it helps us avoid the "up a little, no, down just a smidge, now over, no, too far" craziness. Thanks for another great video 🙂

You've won me over on the grout. I was already considering black grout, and now I'm sold. May even stack the 3×12 tiles instead of staggering them. Thanks

I have so many reasons to check this content. Have to see myself what are those. 👍🏼😉

The timeless kitchen idea needed to be said! All the green and deep cobalt blue kitchen cabinets will look dated because everyone is doing them. Yes to natural, neutral woods, or other neutral color choices that others are not doing.

'Basic tile' is only basic when applied in a basic, thoughtless way. Combined with something else, they can be the quiet background workers that allow the overall design to flourish. For example, you could run a basic time on one floor, and up one wall. Then use a more exciting tile treatment on one or 2 of the other walls. And finish off with paint, and art work. Here, the basic tile would be neutral to the eye as it is attracted by the vanity, shower, more exciting tile and other elements. I personally prefer this approach.

I am sick of ugly loud tiles that dominate a room. They are subjective at best and many times these ugly tiles are on clearance, for a reason.

I love your advice and presentation! I agree with you 100%. Neutral, organic, natural materials never go out of style. Love your sense of humor and lightheartedness!😅

Great tips ❤

Another great vid. Thank you. I agree with everything except tile work in bathrooms. I find subway tiles and KitKat tiles make a bathroom look more like a toilet. Large format tiles are the way to go … even 12 x 24s (based on aesthetics). Accessorise for visual interest. Leave the walls neutral and simple (non busy). Nothing overly shiny.

thanks!!!

Paint is an easy change and less expensive than other room elements to change.

I’m so fucking sick of people telling you what you should or shouldn’t do. Nothing’s wrong if you really love it.

More on hanging art for wall spaces and rooms, such as typical living rooms!

Thanks a lot

As far as design mistakes ..there is that shirt you go on

Our kitchen cabinets is in dark gray and we love it. I just didn’t want white cabinets cause their a pain to keep clean.

Love your shirt

Isn’t the first tip just don’t be broke? Very helpful 🤦🏾‍♀️.

I love your tips so much and you are so right! I do have a question if you don;t mind answering. I have old fashioned honey oak kitchen lowers and uppers. What backsplash colour do you feel will pair well with them to make it more modern. Right now is just painted backsplash.

Most of them have been said *so* many times in so many interior design videos over the past two - three years in KZfaq. I would like to watch smth new, instead of the same opinions and advices over and over again.

I sell original oil paintings on canvas from a fabulously talented Ukrainian artist. Not only does it give constant joy but it also helps him and Ukraine in the war. As for furniture, I buy vintage pieces on-line, antique centres or charity shops (goodwill)

Bathroom 12 x 12 tiles may be a builder's basic to you, but they would look pretty good in the homes of most of us who do not hire exclusive decorators with sky high budgets. Subway tiles are classic and likely to be popular for many more decades to come. Don't be a snot. If most of us who watch your channel could afford to go well beyond builder's grade throughout our homes, we would be hiring those decorators instead of watching you.

I like watching designers on KZfaq, but... was this an ad for CB2? That moment where you talked about that being the store where you can get everything felt like a commercial.

Agree hate the grey flooring BUT when you have 2 big dogs and 3 boys that are really hard on floors what is the best wood floor to go with? Do you think it should be real wood flooring or is there a wood floor "look alike" that you recommend?

Hi, I’d already made a mistake by laying the floor in grey laminate flooring . Is there anyway to fix them? I cannot pull out the entire floor and redo it. I can only put the rugs in a few area such as living room and bedroom. Is there any other way to make it more appealing? I tried to cooperate beige through large pieces of furnitures such as sofas, rug, drapery and accessories . Any other thought please?

we will be installing insul-armor on our basement floor in a 22' by 26' + room (it currently has carpeting over tiles , I'm guessing the tiles are from the 1960's and are firmly in place throughout the 1100 sq ft basement & the carpet in the room was installed in the late 1980's when we moved in ) - I've been reading about putting the rigid luxury vinyl planks w/ built in underlay vinyl over the insul armor - Has anyone done that ? the dri core company claims that you can do that ? - - - My husband (who mostly uses the room) is leaning toward osb subfloor over the insul-armor and installing carpeting ......which is better ? I have to believe the osb over the insul- armor is more stable- - - is there a non organic subfloor option to the osb that 's just as stable and solid under foot ? thanks

Daddy PLEASE get rid of that fake plant, it really is bothersome and distracting. Or at least put it into a proportional pot or 'basket? Thanks for shouting out the artists, not enough people do that. All great tips, but don't think you explained what you mean by "negative space", that is important to understand. Thanks for the post, but I cannot unsee that "butt sink". WOW.

I can't believe you said grey is ok for cabinets, and are bashing white.

I make the mistake of the gray floor! How can I Fix it??? Any advice?

As a child I used the Subway to visit my Grandmother, it smelled of Juicyfruit gum, and urine! Nope no subway tile😮

Such great advice, especially about artwork. Im probably an outlier here but homes with walls crammed with family photos are distracting andv off-putting. Save that for the game room. There i said it.

Upwards of 200,000 on a kitchen renovation??

$200K on a kitchen renovation? If you can afford that then you can afford to not go timeless.

Thought this was going to be important information. But no. It's just being an opionated designer po-poing people who are happy with standard stuff. Some people are proud to just have a pleasant clean nice home. If mass marketed Live Laugh Love signs don't do it for you, maybe it works for others. Maybe they are trying to manifest instead of playing up to Mr. Judgmental. A nice kept love home doesn't need to be fancy with artist this and designer that. I would have rather seen a video won't work well in a residence or it will be high maintenance and will become a pain to care for is far more important. Then dumping on tile size and cabinet paint color. 🙄

Sorry about your shirt, stick to white wine, your clothes will thank you😂

I'm a fan of negative space because it's less space to decorate--Mom joke!

Are small or large fake plants in trend?

Not everyone can afford the sort of art you are talking about. That 30 dollar picture was bought for a reason by the purchaser, hence it resinates with them. Family photos make the difference in a space more than an artist just because they are lviing.

If you stop trying to show off how snobbish you are by desperately trying not to be the same as everyone else, you'll avoid a lot of mistakes. Don't worry about "everyone's doing that, eww!" or "but that's so last year!" The whole "Those who care don't matter, and those who matter don't care" applies ten times as much to the dimensions of your bathroom tiles as it does to clothing that you change every day! The only part of your house that needs to be up to the minute is the insulation and air control, and that's only because that's a rapidly developing science right now. Pick a tile that's fifty years old and you like the look of it. A paint colour that was trendy a hundred or more years ago that goes well with the tile and your ten year old sofa. A timber floor that is the actual colour of the timber - that's been around for as long as we've been building with timber. If it's not on trend, you don't don't have to worry about it becoming dated. It will stay timeless and welcoming: now, in ten years' time, and in a hundred years' time.

You have a lot of worst/mistake videos sir 😂

I just want to know what people who spend $200k on a kitchen renovation do for a living.

Making dad jokes, I see! 😂

So in summary be as boring as you can cause bringing personality into your spaces will get so out of style. That is just a super sad way to live your life 😢.

$200,000 upwards on a kitchen renovation??? Maybe I'm not your target audience after all 😂

Tile with personality ... maybe my personality is calm, standard and boring! OK ... you don't want non-trendy tiles because they are "too standard: ... BUT then you criticize "too trendy". MAKE UP YOUR FRICKING MIND!