When I posted my nailhead pumpkins a couple of months ago, my rating was 4.1. (Ratings are 1-5 stars.) People left very nice comments about this post.
When I posted my kitchen dining area, I asked for suggestions for warming it up a little. Many readers suggested adding a round area rug. I really liked that advice and did end up ordering a new rug for that area. I received a rating of 3.6 for the space as it was. Not too bad considering I was asking for advice on how to improve the area.
Last week I posted my dining room makeover and asked for suggestions for adding accessories. I find choosing accessories the most difficult part. Let me preface things by saying that I really like the choices that I made for this room and put a lot of thought into it. Yes, I was trying not to spend a lot of money, but I was happy with how the room was shaping up. Apparently, I am in the minority as far as RMS readers are concerned. I received a rating of 2.3 stars out of 5. Ouch!
Granted, the quality of the picture isn't good and because of the small size of the space, it's difficult to get a good shot of the room. Also, in this photograph, it appears that the table is sitting closer to the far wall than it really is, that's just an optical illusion. There really isn't a lot of space on either side of the table. However, my self-esteem got a mild kick in the butt by comments like this:
"I am not a fan of the wallpaper you used..."
"I'm not sure about the graphic stripes on the seat cushions..."
"The wallpaper panels cry for a contrast..."
"I would have gone vertically [with the stripes], because you now limit yourself with artwork that won't clash."
Should I be questioning my choices? What's done is done, I'm not recovering my chairs or ripping out my new wallpaper because of someone's comments on RMS, but it does make me wonder if I could have done better. While I really enjoy visiting RMS and seeing what others have accomplished in their homes, I'm not so sure that everyone who visits has the same motives.
Have you ever posted on RMS? Were you offended by any comments? Did you use any of the advice?
Warning, catty comments ahead: The woman who made the crack about not being a fan of my wallpaper posted a couple of her rooms. Of course my curiosity got the best of me. I took a peak. Her highest rating was a 2.5. There were bad faux finishes on the walls, dated vertical blinds on a sliding glass door and fake ivy in every nook and cranny. Maybe I should take the comments with a box of salt.
I wouldn't worry about the bad comments. I think you've done a wonderful job and you can come over and decorate my house any day.
ReplyDeleteEspecially I wouldn't worry about comments from a person with lower average score. That is like taking a financial advice from somebody with low or no portfolio.
Yes, often those who are most unsure of themselves (and let's be honest probably not good) are the ones that are going to leave negative comments to try and inflate their own egos.
ReplyDeleteSo, if you love it and like it then who cares!
And from a photographer's perspective, I know a good quality picture can make okay things look wonderful. So I am sure a lot of the lower ratings came from the fuzzy picture only.
If you love the space, that is all that matters. Good for you for loving it so much that you posted the pictures, too. Being tender-hearted is a blessing and a curse for me, and I would be way too afraid. But yes, take things with a grain of salt...again, because you love the space.
ReplyDeleteRMS...oh, it can be tough to post a room there! I've posted several room over the past few years and it can be both a great and difficult experience. Take all comments with a grain of salt! Janell
ReplyDeleteI used to be a RMS junkie too! I have posted "work in progress" rooms on there in hopes to get some ideas and suggestions from others, only to get a slew of negativity! At the end of the day, it's what YOU like and not what others think! I personally think your dining room is shaping up nicely!
ReplyDeleteI would take everything with a grain of salt! If I remember correctly, Eddie Ross himeself commented on your previous dining room post with his seal of approval! What more do you need? I think some people are just mean-spirited, and you should not let them get to you.
ReplyDeleteI really think you are doing great! Many times i have painted a room and before i have put everything back- i panic and think do i even like this? but its after you fully put the room together that you see what it is REALLY going to look like and every time i am thrilled because i knew it would be what i loved and invisoned...dont let others steal your joy...you are going to put this whole roon together just how you envisoned it and it is going to be WONDERFUL!
ReplyDeleteGirl, I wouldn't pay ANY attention to what they say! I wouldn't post one of my rooms on there for love nor money! I take the criticisms to heart and end up with my feelings hurt! lol
ReplyDeleteI think your dining room is beautiful!
Lou Cinda :)
I feel for you. I think you did an amazing job on your room. I love the dining set and the wallpaper too. I used to post on RMS all the time. I finally got sick of the stupid comments and took all of my rooms down. I decided to try posting out new kitchen. Like you I put a lot of thought into each decision. I put beautiful crystal onyx mosaic tiles over my sink, all the way up to the window. I knew that was a dead space to fill. I also hung a light fixture. A lot of my comments were negetive about that space. One person said "it looks like someone left the old 70's wall paper up there". I took the pics down and have never been back since.
ReplyDeleteKelly
I think it looks great, I wouldn't worry about the negative comments especially from somebody with a lower score ! (My mom taught me the same thing) ;)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a lot of the people who rate those rooms are just looking for a reaction! Your room looks great and she had a low score.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you're being fair to yourself! The picture quality isn't helping, but you also didn't include your great curtains that tie the whole room together!
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave soul. I haven't been on RMS very often and not for a while, and I've never posted a room, but I did notice that people tend to be RATHER forthcoming with their opinions at times. :-) At the time I also checked out some of the rooms of those who were negatively critiquing others and... well, you know the rest. You're doing a great job on your room and I would let it go at that. I do hope you showed a photo on there with your fabulous window treatments too, though. They're awesome!
ReplyDeletepk @ Room Remix
ugh, negative commenters are the worst! I get them from time to time, and it's just like, "hey, no one cares about your nasty opinion, jerks!"
ReplyDeleteanyway, I think everything you do is great, so there!
I saw this earlier when I was standing in line at the Apple store and wanted to leave this comment, but I was on the 24" and didn't want everyone to read it. Um, I wish you could tell those b*tches to shove it! I happen to like your room, but regardless, not everyone's style is the same!! Some people love that country look, but it's not really my thing. That doesn't mean that you can't find SOMETHING nice about the room. Your first clue should've been when you went to the woman's room and saw what her stuff looked like. Like you said, she probably wasn't the best judge. Don't change a thing!
ReplyDeleteOur spaces are made to make us happy, and I would definitely take with a large box of salt. Especially when the commenter has zero sense of style. I love your stripes and your wallpaper AND your fab curtains!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely take comments on RMS with a grain of salt. I, like everyone else here, think your dining room is lovely and that you made some fabulous choices!
ReplyDeleteMost the people on rms know nothing about decorating. I loved rms before they re-did the site and made is so hard to use. But as far as the comments, do not give them a thought. If you like it, it is a successful space. We are not decorating our home for a bunch of strangers.
ReplyDeletePlease ignore those ppl! Your trying to make YOUR dream room and make YOU happy and not them. Your room is looking great!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that the ppl that comment and say negative things don't have perfect house and we would probably cringe looking at some of their rooms!
I love the vertical stripes in your dining room. I wanted to do something similar in a small bedroom, but I didn't trust myself to get the lines straight. How did you do that?
ReplyDelete