BLOGGING: Criticism on the Blogs

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The Buckingham's original house, designed by veteran Madeline Stuart, shows two coffee tables - one of which ended up in their new house. The other coffee table, though, matches the root table in scale and seems to "make sense" in this picture. The mantelscape also shows excellent placement with regard to size and style.


Join the Skirted Roundtable this week as we discuss Blogging - Is it alright to criticize? When is criticism too much or too mean? Are the magazines off limit?


Comments

Michelle said…
I was one of those 150 comments Joni! I coulnd't beleive the response.

I agree with Linda, in school, critiques were difficult, but it thickened my skin, and I can now take critisism much better. If it comes from a jealous, nasty place, or a helpful, passionate place, you can tell. I guess it's about being able to sort those two quickly, giving only the later any merrit.

Great topic again ladies...something to think about, that's for sure.
June 26, 2009 at 5:32 AM
Jeannine | The Small and Chic Home said…
I honestly missed the commotion, but am thinking about this now that I'm listening to you ladies.

Posting opinions about a magazine article is fair game, in my opinion. Telling a DIYer, through their blog, that their work is bad, is not. Posting an opinion on a blog where a designer shares their work was a gray area for me, but now, I think it's best kept to yourself unless the post specifically asks for feedback.

I didn't think about clients of designers watching comments on their spaces roll in.
June 26, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Teacats said…
Ladies: Joni's posting about the controversial room decor was refreshing, witty and well-researched -- and came from a deeply respected professional. We cannot be slavish fans to decor books nor magazines. I posted a negative review on Amazon about Bunny Williams' book Point of View -- BUT I had raved about her wonderful book "An Affair with a House" So even we peasants in our suburban homes with laminate flooring and silk flowers can offer reviews! I have often posted letters to editors begging for a greater "range" of rooms and price points -- from the suburbs to the cities. And since I subscribe to these magazines AND buy from their much-vaunted advertisers -- I DO expect to be allowed to have an opinion. We all KNOW why that kind of room was featured -- because of the name of the owner of the house! We KNOW why many homes are featured -- because they are on the market -- and the real estate companies buy advertising space in the magazine. We KNOW why certain high-end designers are featured month-after-month -- because the publisher expects a few "free" jobs on his/her properties. We may live in most ordinary homes but we ain't dumb.

Keep your opinions fresh and true -- you saw how many folks simply love and need to read them!

Jan at the very vin ordinaire Rosemary Cottage
June 26, 2009 at 8:10 AM
Julia @ Hooked on Houses said…
Really enjoyed this roundtable chat, as usual. As someone who posts "Bad MLS Photos," I can tell you that people love to comment about not-so-pretty rooms. Those always seem to get the most reaction on my blog. A lot of people who won't bother to write, "Love this room!" can't wait to share their feelings about one they don't like as much.

I definitely was more critical in early days, back when my girlfriends and my mother were the only ones reading my blog. I watch what I say much more carefully these days! I never intend to hurt anyone's feelings.
June 26, 2009 at 9:25 AM
Anonymous said…
Joni, I loved the post and I think you were nice about it. What makes us think is never a bad thing.
June 26, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Bargain Decorating with Laurie said…
Now I want more info about what you designers learn about how to take criticism! This was another interesting podcast. In my very humble opinion, one of the purposes of a blog is to express our personal points of view. Of course there will be those who disagree with our opinions, just was we might disagree with something posted on their blogs. I hope that I can agree to disagree without being hateful about it. You might need to consider tring to get a psychiatrist on a podcast! LOL! Seriously though, I would very much like to know what is behind an anonymous comment that is obviously posted just for the sake of trying to hurt the blogger's feelings. I didn't go to design school, so if I'm going to keep blogging, I'm going to have to get a much thicker skin, and I'm not sure that is possible. laurie
June 26, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Terry said…
Criticism of art, architecture, literature, movies, and music is valuable and helpful. It would be equally valuable for interior design. But we don't get it.

Joni's rare critical post was a breath of fresh air. I enjoy the great designs presented on blogs as much as anyone. But the overall tone of blogs and comments is usually way too sweet for me.

Design blog readers are on a high sugar diet of "fabulous." If criticism is valuable in design school, it is valuable on blogs.

I think there is a huge opportunity for a design critic blog. It would require a pro designer/writer with an attitude. We need a lot of vinegar to balance all of the sweet stuff.
June 27, 2009 at 7:12 AM
Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said…
I have such mixed emotions on this topic. I appreciated reading Joni's review because I've been very frustrated at times when I've received in the mail an issue of a magazine I subscribe to, like Traditional Home, and the homes featured inside are anything, but Traditional. With soooo many wonderful homes out there, I often wonder how magazines choose those that they do...unless they are just so busy trying to prove to everyone that they can be cutting edge. What's the old expression...don't be so open minded, you let your brain fall out. :-) Yet, I know none of us ever wants to hurt someone's feelings. I do think if your home gets published in a magazine, you have to be prepared for a certain amount of negative criticism. Thanks for an interesting Round Table.
Susan
June 28, 2009 at 7:37 PM
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