Martha Stewart, known for her impeccable taste and design sensibilities, recently faced unexpected criticism after sharing photos of her newly rearranged summer home in Maine on Instagram.
In her post on July 2, Stewart proudly detailed the changes made to her living room, emphasizing a shift from grey-blue upholstery to a creamy pale buttery yellow, evoking a rustic yet elegant charm suited to the 1925 house’s character. Despite her enthusiasm, the response from Instagram users was less than favorable.
Critics on social media were quick to voice their opinions, with comments ranging from calling the new decor “old and stuffy” to suggesting she hire a better decorator. Some likened the room to a dated hotel suite from the 1980s, expressing disappointment rather than admiration for Stewart’s design choices.
Surprised by the overwhelmingly negative feedback, Stewart addressed the criticism directly in a follow-up post on July 4. She admitted to rarely reading comments but had been drawn to do so this time due to her satisfaction with the transformation. Stewart defended the changes, noting that the furniture replacement took three hours and was not professionally done but rather a personal effort to refresh the space quickly.
Stewart emphasized that creating a truly inviting home requires more than just a quick facelift, hinting at future additions such as color accents, plants, mirrors, rugs, and artwork to complete the room. Despite the initial backlash, Stewart remained optimistic and encouraged her followers to stay tuned for further updates on the ongoing transformation of her Maine residence.
Ultimately, the incident underscores the scrutiny and unpredictability of public reactions to even the most celebrated figures’ personal design choices, demonstrating the power of social media to influence perceptions of taste and style in home decor.
As Stewart continues to refine her living spaces, the conversation serves as a reminder of the subjective nature of aesthetic preferences and the challenges of satisfying a diverse online audience.