The simmering rage I attempt to temper with all manner of high street narcotics (cans of TRIP, vino, Mint Munchies) recently boiled beyond my jawline. I do my very best to remain sanguine in this era of outrage, but this really pushed my buttons. What could have so stoked my ire, I hear you ask? In this instance, it was a response from a potential publisher about a book proposal I’d been working on. The subject was somewhat related to my regular Instagram diet of DIY and sprucing my rental, to give you the context. Now, I love feedback (outside of trolling or QAnon-level influencer conspiracy theories), because often it bursts the self-sustaining bubbles we all inevitably live in. But this particular reaction made me want to burn something like an unhinged pyromaniac. The general gist of the opinion was that as my style is ‘high end’, there was a disconnect between my aesthetic (posh) and the projected reader (tenants, presumably common). The argument was that the two could never possibly dovetail, because people who like chic décor can obviously afford to pay someone to hang their wallpaper. Aka less well-paid people, from less privileged backgrounds who can’t afford a deposit for a family home or labour to decorate couldn’t possibly be interested in recreating fashionable interiors.
I bet that editor owns several investment properties and hates the idea of their tenants drilling holes and using colours other than white. Also, this piece is like the other side of the coin to the whole nepo baby debate that has just been raging.
In Denmark we all look somewhat alike and it's the small things, that tell us a part visually. We have traditionelly owned our homes but as market is totally bonkers these days and a lot of new rental app buildings are being build. So guess what, most of us living in the larger cities in Denmark live in rentals. Trying to make the best of the white generic walls. I can't believe how snobbish the editors remark is. As if you don't strive to elevate your surroundings, your style, the future for your children, if you rent. He needs to check his privileges... Greatly written - love your writing allways!
Excellent article. Thing is - I know so many people who wear the stereotypes you refer to so easily and well - almost becoming caricatures of them. And I also know so many people who can only think in stereotypes (“38 and no kids? you must be a career woman then?....etc). I absolutely love it when one, as you have done here, pushes back against both - fitting the stereotype and thinking in terms of them!
I bet that editor owns several investment properties and hates the idea of their tenants drilling holes and using colours other than white. Also, this piece is like the other side of the coin to the whole nepo baby debate that has just been raging.
In Denmark we all look somewhat alike and it's the small things, that tell us a part visually. We have traditionelly owned our homes but as market is totally bonkers these days and a lot of new rental app buildings are being build. So guess what, most of us living in the larger cities in Denmark live in rentals. Trying to make the best of the white generic walls. I can't believe how snobbish the editors remark is. As if you don't strive to elevate your surroundings, your style, the future for your children, if you rent. He needs to check his privileges... Greatly written - love your writing allways!
Ps cans of fizzy CBD? Now *that’s* posh.... 🤣
Excellent article. Thing is - I know so many people who wear the stereotypes you refer to so easily and well - almost becoming caricatures of them. And I also know so many people who can only think in stereotypes (“38 and no kids? you must be a career woman then?....etc). I absolutely love it when one, as you have done here, pushes back against both - fitting the stereotype and thinking in terms of them!
yes yes YES. wonderfully written. I felt your rage, but admire that you didn’t get sidetracked it. I truly hope your book gets published. xx
A brilliant piece! Agree with every last point.
This should definitely be a page in the book. I wholeheartedly agree with everything you just wrote.
Yes to this. And I’m sorry you encountered that idiot. Please never stop being (a little bit) political.
What a stupendous, well written article! Honestly it’s just 💯 I hope your book gets published because I for one would definitely pre-order!!
Wonderful writing as ever, I would buy your book in a heartbeat!
Brilliant KO. What morons.
Devoured this! Excellent points as always Katherine-ps would buy that book!! X
Excellent, as usual. I’m SO glad I subscribed ❤️