Classic or trendy finishes in reno of older units?

[Johann Jells]

Reading a thread about finishes in new or reno sale properties had me wondering if my approach is fuddy duddy. In my century old buildings I try to go classic and timeless, give the renters what they expect in the place. My rents are $1200-1700 depending on size and location.

I use oak cabinets not only because I can get all wood chinese imports as cheap as the particle board crap from the home center, but because its classic, no one is going to respond strongly like they might to painted, or dark. Same when I use laminate, oak gets no special attention, just registers as "oak floor", where some exotic pattern might get more scrutiny and register as the fake it is. Kinda like wearing too big a fake diamond. Sadly Cosco has discontinued their oak pattern.

It's usually oil rubbed bronze lighting (doesn't show dirt and dust much), antique brass door hardware, stainless and brushed nickel in the kitchen and bath.  Baths are the classic pre-war B&W.

I was reading that granite is over in the trendy crowd. That's crazy, granite is insanely practical and indestructible compared to previous things like Corian or Formica, and now relatively cheap. I do my own granite tile counters, but I may give that up. They're easily repairable, but I've yet to have one damaged.  Another sign I'm a fuddy duddy is a refuse to take the stainless cool-aid for rentals. Black appliances are more durable and lower maintenance. I just had a tenant move out a year after I bought a new fridge, and it was scratched and scraped. I shudder to think what it would have looked like if it was stainless.

Here's my latest.  Funny story about the porcelain floor, I didn't intend it to be bicolor. I had boxes of 6" in tan for the pattern, but the contractor saw the boxes of slate color I had for the backsplash and assumed I wanted it this way! I sputtered when I saw it, but calmed down, returned the tan for more slate, and got used to it.  The "tin" in the bath is plastic, $2.50/ft. No more stained and crumbling drop ceiling panels from leaks.