The dramatic downside of home decor ideas in the movies
Movie sets make all sorts of great home decor ideas seem possible, but many of these ideas would have major drawbacks in real life.
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory
The chocolate factory is a great inspiration for children around the world. Pre-teen audiences salivate at the sight of the chocolate river, the teacup flowers, and the trees with sweet, balloon-shaped fruits. Who wouldn’t want a gigantic room where everything is edible? A reasonable adult with foresight, who wouldn’t want the biohazard of such a play space. First, there is the impossible task of fending off insects and replacing expired candy trees. Second, inviting guests to indulge would be as biologically risky as sharing a lollipop with a group of friends. The only adult who would be interested in a room or a candy house is the witch Hansel and Gretel.
The massacre in Texas
The murderous family in the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie is not portrayed very favorably. The “stand your ground” laws and “castle” doctrines give homeowners in many states the legal authority to kill trespassers, and it is arguably a societal bias favoring guns over chainsaws for defense of home. That said, resorting to cannibalism and using bones to make furniture might take things too far. The 1974 movie featured a loveseat and other furniture decorated with bones, which is not a terrible idea in and of itself. So many decades before Etsy, it is understandable that crafty types grapple with some trial and error with new home decor ideas. Antlers and horns are now quite popular for chairs and other furniture, but human bones are legally problematic to collect and reuse decoratively.
Every Bond Villain Den
Throughout the 007 movie franchise, it has become a cliche that Bond villains talk too much, choose execution methods that are too complex, and spend too much money on home décor. Still, the spectacle of hideouts on private islands and the moon can be impressive. In The Spy Who Loved Me, the villain’s submersible lair is unforgettable. The paintings rise and reveal windows to an underwater world with sharks and giant fish. Since underwater construction can be prohibitively expensive (and complicated with regards to zoning laws), many homeowners may be tempted to recreate the effect with large aquariums. Sure, a giant aquarium isn’t as expensive as a lunar colony, but it can certainly come close. Don’t forget to calculate the costs for maintenance, cleaning, and occasional fish replacements. Even if you have the maturity to resist having a shark, it is a world of fish eating fish underwater.
House of Wax
A few different film adaptations have been made of this concept, but (spoiler alert) the climax involves the whole house melting away. This twist may be all the more surprising to distracted viewers because the building is also a wax museum. However, this movie is a helpful reminder to choose residential building materials carefully. Whenever it’s time to build a new addition or add home decor accents, it’s good to weigh the risks associated with new materials. Was the material made in a dramatically different climate or should it be kept out of direct sunlight?
Of course, continue to watch movies for decorating ideas. Talk to a professional contractor to find out what types of themes and designs might be feasible for your budget.