planned obsolescence Archives

Avoid the Kitchen Renovation Industrial Complex

43 min readYou’ve heard of the military-industrial complex, and maybe even the wedding-industrial complex, but what about the kitchen renovation industrial complex?

What is the kitchen renovation industrustrial complex? This is the system that pushes us toward renovations designed with a built-in expiration date. It encourages us to follow trends seen on HGTV or Pinterest, leading to homes that look like everyone else’s and feel dated just a few years down the line.

The solution? Push back by focusing on a renovation that is timeless, personalized and designed to fit your home and your life.

MCM “Home of the Future” to Modern Smart Home

27 min readThe mid-century was THE era of techno optimism. From smart tech decisions to celebrating the joy (and pitfalls) of color-matched appliances, let’s both embrace the future and stay true to your home’s mid-century-ness.

Mid-century homes always aspired to be on the cutting edge of innovation. Ads of that era advertised the “home of the future” and “the kitchen of tomorrow”, but today all of that future tech is … out of date. Today’s smart home technology offers exciting ways to modernize. But not every gadget is a good fit for your home—or your lifestyle. So, how do you decide which updates are worth the investment and which might age out faster than avocado green appliances?

Your mileage may vary: Are you a restored Hi-Fi and record cabinet person or do you yearn for an ever more interconnected smart sound system. One way or another, use these tips to make the right choices for your home and yourself: