I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the disconnect between what looks good and what actually works in our daily lives. This whole train of thought started when I stumbled across a discussion about leathered granite countertops, and honestly, it struck a nerve.

Picture this: you move into what seems like a nicely renovated apartment, everything looks modern and expensive, and then you try to actually use your kitchen. What should be a simple task – wiping down the counter after making a sandwich – becomes an exercise in futility. The surface that’s supposed to be the workhorse of your kitchen actively fights against every attempt to keep it clean.

The internet never fails to provide fascinating glimpses into the everyday struggles of rental living. Today’s hot topic? A wooden toilet seat that looks like it’s been around since the dawn of indoor plumbing. The photos making rounds online show a wooden toilet seat that’s clearly seen better days - perhaps during the Hawke era.

Living in rental properties often means dealing with landlords who have interesting interpretations of what constitutes “acceptable condition.” Looking at this particular specimen, with its deteriorating finish and mysterious blue-green patina, brings back memories of my first rental in Carlton. The property manager tried to convince me that the 1970s kitchen appliances had “character.” Sure, if by character you mean potentially lethal.