Stains On My Window

December 15, 2011

As a lover of architecture and art history, I am entranced by vintage stained glass. Whether it's the majestic rose of a Gothic church or a wee transom in a modest Victorian rowhouse, I think antique stained glass windows are enchantingly elegant.

However, I don't think this way about modern stained glass.

This week I sold a thoughtfully-designed 18 year old townhouse that was nothing less than perfect for my Buyers. However, we all agreed there was one detail that had to go. It was the three stained glass panels in the living room pictured below:

urbaneer.com

Now I understand I'm treading into taste-specific territory, and my intention is not criticize the aesthetics of these windows. My frustration stems on why, in contemporary culture, do we produce items lacking in artistry, detail and refinement like the stained glass windows of yore? Why are we complicit purchasing watered-down versions of what we truly cherish and love? Do we lack creativity? Are we just cheap?

Herein lies my opportunity to segue into today's official real estate rant. It's this... the combination steel glass exterior door.

real estate mini-rant urbaneer.com

I get the argument that a steel door provides a heightened sense of security, provides longevity and lower maintenance. But how did we evolve into a culture that is mass-producing multiple versions of hideousness?

mini-rant urbaneer.com

When it comes to first impressions and curb appeal, I can always tell a Flipper's House by the presence of one of these doors. Like the rest of the materials I'll inevitably see once I cross the threshold, these renovators did their one-stop shopping at a Big Box Store and picked up all sorts of atrocities. Given the Flipper's frequent lack of taste and decency, these doors often lack even a lick of paint. Instead they showcase the door's pressed-metal flat grey finish with inset plastic frame holding some 'bejewelled' pressed-glass pattern that simultaneously assaults the eyes while disrespecting the property's original architectural merit. I call this cringe-worthy.

If you have a door like this, please fill in the screw holes, paint the frame and trim satin black, add a simple quality handle, and place an enormous topiary tree beside it to distract the eye.

Then we can be friends.

Do you agree?

~ Steven

If you liked this rant, you may enjoy the following collection of past posts:

I See Ya, Ikea

We Flip Burgers, Not Houses

We Flip Flapjacks, Not Houses

Staging Nightmare