What would happen to Interiors talk if we banned these words?
Before I launch into what will seem like a snooty, ill-advised attack on other people’s use of the English language – and to my Mother who rings to correct me on the grammar blunders she spots on this blog, yes yes I know, rich from me – I will immediately flag up that I have reached for if not all, then definitely most of these overused adjectives in my years of describing rooms, as much as I like to think I haven’t.
It’s hard to avoid using some words even when you know they’re cliches. Others probably started life as being a novel alternative, used slightly out of context – like the one that starts my list of words that if banned, would cause the legs of Planet Interiors to blow off….
Image from Yellowtrace
Jostle. In life, how often do you look at a chair/art/lamp and ponder over how it jostles with the other furniture and knick knacks* in a room? I’ll tell you the answer to that. Never. Neeeeeeee-ver.
* Do you have a problem with knick knacks? Be honest.
Image from Lonny
Mismatched. A seemingly innocuous word, definitely useful when describing clashing things and yet….I’m sick of it. Just. Sick. Of. It. I will try so hard not to use this word for at least three years. The thing is that clash is also problematic. Where does that leave us then? Unseemly concoction? Unexpected pairing? Is this why emojis are a thing maybe? Can someone ban the use of different chairs around a table to help instigate the death of mismatched?
Image from Yellowtrace
Juxtaposition. Mostly between old and new. Juxtaposition is much like mismatched and yet harder to replace. I having a gnawing sensation that I have used it in the last week somewhere. Please, nobody bother to find out where.
Those are my top three offenders, but eclectic and vintage are contenders for The List. How do you replace vintage? Not thrift if you’re from the UK.
Feel free to share your own annoyances with us here. Maybe don’t start combing this site for every item featured above. You will find them. In abundance.
Oh how I laughed! My vintage knick knacks almost fell off my mismatched shelves as they jostled one another into a more eclectic juxtaposition. Now they look ‘amazing’, which is a popular overworked adjective that I wish I had a Euro for every time I hear it! x
well you’d definitely be rich in amazing cash if you sat anywhere near me – guilty. x
The question I’ve been desperate for someone to ask me!! The most overused and annoying phrase is…. ‘Pop of colour’. Makes me grind my teeth every time. Moan over, thank you for the opportunity.
OMG I can’t believe I forgot to include that one. Of course!
oh you got there first!
every time i read pop my eye twitches. it’s not as if there aren’t at least 30 amazing synonyms for pop that would work equally well.
but i’m fast becoming allergic to nearly all the interview quotes from the home owners – the smugness really smarts!
Ooh, you are making life hard by boycotting mismatched AND juxtaposition (shakes head to see if an alternative drops out). I’d definitely have to include vintage, when it’s far too often used to mean retro.
It’s only vintage if it’s actually old. It’s only retro if it’s made to look vintage.
Reimagined.
“…with their reimagined apartment by *insert name*”.
Stop it! Stop it now!
I would have to add ‘pared down’ to the list. Thanks to a certain Interiors television programme which since then I have seen written everywhere!
Oh yes – I never forget reading ‘EFFORTLESSLY scattered cushions’ !!!
Agreed!!! Especially about Jostle.
What about ‘focal point’?!
‘Luxe’
Rooms with ‘personality’
‘Timeless appeal’
‘Bringing the outside in’
‘Savvy’ anything, but a special hatred for ‘savvy storage’
‘Couch’
Oh I could go on and on… but I agree that ‘pop of colour’ is the lowest of the low x
I second charlotte with the phrase “bring the outside in”. I also really like those little bird ornaments on the Yellowtrace image you have used, really unique!