Inspired by Television: The Repair Shop
It is rare that I will watch a design television series, simply because as a designer, it is difficult to see the process so oversimplified.
Until I build up the strength to see my own career oversimplified, I love watching shows about related professions. It is somehow easier, knowing that I am fully aware and respectful of the amount of time they put into the work, but I am removed enough to enjoy the entertainment value.
One of the recent favorites that I watched with my husband is a British series on Netflix called "The Repair Shop". I hear it's a bit like Antique Roadshow but have no personal experience there. The Repair Shop takes place in an old barn that serves as the shop where people bring their fantastic antiques with historical and sentimental significance to be restored.
Many times the item is meant to retain some of the damage in order to represent where it has been and what it has been through. Other times, the restoration is meant to bring it to a like-new condition. It is a fantastic thing to see when each approach is appropriate.
One of our favorite older home renovations- this farm house allowed us to respect the historic value of the home, and respecting that aspect without attempting to replicate.
We did not take a modern approach here, but did not try to deny the time the update was done either!
In watching the show, I was reminded how much I love old homes and the preservation of the sentimental authentic items. I love working on old homes because it allows the opportunity to preserve the history of the home.
In the TV-series, there are times that a new piece is needed, and this piece is often made to replicate what would have existed or to appear as though it has always been there. This is where I differ.
With a traditional home, it sometimes feels like an insult to try and replicate the authentic fixtures- a modern imitation feels like a cheap imposter. A trick. So, in a home, I usually opt for a modern update that complements the traditional styling for a beautiful melding and respect of traditionalism and modernism.
What would your approach be?
