This weekend I listed my pink Keep Calm and Carry On print on eBay. A sad day. When I bought it four years ago from Keep Calm Gallery (who incidentally have some AMAZING stuff) in the UK, (because they weren’t selling them here in Australia then) nobody else had one. And then when everyone else started to cotton on, at least mine was different because it was pink. But now the design has been so done I just can’t have it in my home anymore. I’m sick of seeing it!
The same happened to me with tram scroll art. I was an early adopter of that too. Now every second home has one (vintage, screen print or wall decal). Sigh. I still love it though and black and white things are slow to date so it’s staying! For now.
How about you? What trend, which you loved when you first saw it, have you now got sick of seeing? Chevron? Blackboard paint? Cowhide rugs?*
*Disclaimer: I love all those things.
20 replies on “I’m so over Keep Calm and Carry On”
I couldn’t agree more! Now it is appearing on umbrellas, coffee mugs and kids water bottles too and I’ve had enough.
I still love chevron but I really hope it isn’t headed down the same path!
I’m so with you Em! I mean, these things get popular for a reason but still… 🙂
Keep calm & carry on and variations on that theme = wayyyyy out of control.
Oh I hope I am never sick of chevron! BUT it could happen 🙁
I doubt it too. A pattern is a pattern. Surely it can’t become offensively overdone? We hope not!
I am with you.
Its like commercial radio. You like a top 40 song the first few time but when its on rotation every 30 minutes it becomes grim reaper.
I still have a love of the vintage tram scrolls especially when the black has faded to a charcoal grey and the sides have that lovely fraded look from years of use.
Blackboard paint is still a favourite but in the right hands, used well – like Brooklyn designer Dana Tanamachi!
Agreed!
Personally I’m pretty tired of seeing kath kidston style boutiques selling fabrics, mugs, bags, you name it.. Its very pretty with its pastel colours and flowers but I’m just bored of seeing so many boutiques popping up around the UK claiming to sell vintage but really just being the same as many of the other “vintage style” boutiques selling mass produced products.
That hasn’t hit Australia in a big way yet Abigail but I know exactly what you mean from the last couple of times I’ve been home!
Not exactly a trend, but a furniture item. Long since passing from “design classic” to “design cliche” – The Eames lounger/recliner (and copies of) heads my list of Done to Death. Ugh!
That’s so sad because it is only all the cheap replicas that have made it that way. I think it is a beautiful design. I can see where you’re coming from though!
Yes, maybe I should have said “and especially cheap replicas of” In fact, cheap replicas of any design classic are something I would like to see the end of!
Decals of any sort!!! I loved them when I first saw them a number of years ago. But seriously, enough is enough. That, and birds. And bunting. And cupcakes. And cake pops. And jars of colour coordinated sweets. And matryoshka measuring cups. Oh, the list goes on and on…….!!!!
Very disappointing isn’t it. I’m itching to know though what the “next big thing” is as far as interiors and crafts go, so I too can jump on the train early and enjoy the ride before every other man and his dog start piling on. Not to mention the cheap imitation pieces that make them look pathetic. Help anyone? I mean, who sets these trends anyway? Would love a heads up but for the record, houndstooth is trying up mark its territory again this season. I’m not a fan but I think it’s going to happen if not next year.
So with you! I hate everything that is copied to death, “keep calm..”, tram scrolls and yes, even chevron patterns. I cringe when people ask me if I will screen-print bus / tram scrolls for them. I won’t because I try really hard to be original and surely, there’s enough out there if you really want one.
I hear you! I loved it a few years back but it just became over-saturated. I’m a huge chevron fan, but lately feel myself being drawn to herringbone instead.
I agree with the wall decals too. I loved them but now they are a bit done to death also.
I love my tolix stools – not much else available at that price point that is nice. Oh well if you love it – it shouldnt really matter – you are the one that has to live with and classic design should be ageless. THEN there is fads!
Yes I totally agree with you on this post! Mine was turquoise and is gone. My tram scroll gone. Lesson I am learning is don’t follow the trends decorate to your own style and life. Great blog by the way.
Thanks for the comment Letitia. Glad you’re enjoying the blog 🙂
Jen! Great post… there are so many overdone trends! I can add Pantone Colour fever to the list… mugs, cards, pencil cases- I just see it everywhere! You might like this blog, so funny! :)) http://fuckyournoguchicoffeetable.tumblr.com/
I can’t believe I forgot the Pantone thing!