Don't drink the Kool-Aid!

No, I'm not about to share a bad Kool-Aid story. HA, it's just an expression you hear around my little corner of Suburbia. You know where everyone buys into the theory that something is a good thing and you should do it because everyone else is.

Um, well, like my momma used to say, "If everyone was about to jump off a cliff would you join them?" Maybe not the best analogy since I did dive off a few cliffs with friends in the 80's. But, you get the picture. Right?

Not everything is a good idea. I sometimes wonder what a Homebuilder was thinking. Did they actually take a look at the idea they had for the moldings, pass thru's, niches, plant ledges, etc they put in a home?

Could be it's just they allowed a sub contractor to run amuck?

I can imagine a day on the job might go something like this?

"Hey, Charlie, I'm short on drywall. What if I just leave this opening in the stairs? Do you have some extra spindles? That would look cool."

"Yea, that's a good fix, Bob. I'll fill it in with railing and spindles. Oh, and I've got a lot of this extra trim. Instead of taking it back why don't I frame out that space above the mantle. Chicks love the little extras."

"Hey we might get a bonus, I think we've got this designer stuff down." Followed by fist bumps all around.

Then you have the 80's. Everyone in the 80's thought you had to have an island in your kitchen. Who cares what size the kitchen is, or how it will affect the layout. Stick that baby in there or you won't be part of the "in" crowd.  Let's not forget those other lovely 80's details that were truly just builder saving options that got sold to the naive home owner as must haves for a current and modern home. Popcorn ceilings, fluorescent lighting, pass through windows. These are not classic details or items that add architectural detail to your home. I mean who wants a pink tile bathroom, Avocado green stove and a plant ledge that is 12' from the floor? Snap out of it people. Embrace your home and throw out the Kool-aid. 1970's can keep their faux paneling and their indoor terrariums too. 

So, what's a homeowner to do? I mean the builder built it that way. Your stuck, you can't do anything now. Do you hear that vinyl record screech to a halt? Says who? This is where you have to embrace the lessons your mother taught you and beat to your own drum. Show your personality and think outside of the box. Be that person that kicks out the kitschy and pulls in classic, tried and true. 

Now that the Kool-aid is gone and the haze is beginning to clear you need to look around and take a real look at what you like and don't like about your home. We are in full blown ditch the track home, builder rubber stamp mode over here. Yes, I've thrown out the kool-aid and taken my own advice and looked at my home with fresh eyes. Time to highlight it's strengths and give it interest where it's deserved. 

The popcorn is being scraped sanded and cleared, spindles have been knocked out and new drywall has healed the awkward hole, and we've opened up those tiny pass throughs. and opened a wall. 

I can't wait to show you more.  Must save some for the reveal. Have you ever stopped and wondered why a builder added or left something out of your home? What are some of the best changes you've made to a home to ditch the Track Home or dated feeling in your home?

UPDATE: Personally love Kool-Aid and in no way mean disrespect to the drink. Yes, I do understand the negative term and reference to "Don't drink the Kool-Aid" is linked to a much more serious and horrible event. However, this is a tongue and cheek expression and only meant as humorous expression and used with creative license.