Is your house a showplace?

[Disneefun]

We went to a Christmas party last night at the home of some friends. The house was amazing, but I found it cold. It's a big house, probably, 2,500 - 3000 sq. ft. Everything was white or beige, granite this, stainless that, tile everywhere. The thing was, there wasn't anything personal in the house. No family photos, no knick knacks, the books on the bookcase were all coffee table/art books (the kind no one really reads, but keeps for looks), no magnets on the fridge, etc. It could have been the model home for the subdivision for all the personal touches that were around.

They don't have kids so I'm sure that's part of it, but they've lived there for eight years so it's not like they just moved in and don't have anything. While I'm sure they did some cleaning for the guests, it just struck me as a very cold and uninviting place to live.

We don't have kids, either, and our house is quite a bit smaller, but we have personal stuff everywhere. If you walked in here you'd know whose house it was. Photos, mementos from our travels, books that aren't "cool" but that we actually read, DVD's, etc. are around. It's not cluttered or overstuffed -- everything has a place and is put away neatly -- but it is personal and comfortable. I just can't imagine living in a home that seems to be a showplace more than a home.

I just wonder if a lot of people keep their houses that sterile?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

We went to a Christmas party last night at the home of some friends. The house was amazing, but I found it cold. It's a big house, probably, 2,500 - 3000 sq. ft. Everything was white or beige, granite this, stainless that, tile everywhere. The thing was, there wasn't anything personal in the house. No family photos, no knick knacks, the books on the bookcase were all coffee table/art books (the kind no one really reads, but keeps for looks), no magnets on the fridge, etc. It could have been the model home for the subdivision for all the personal touches that were around.

They don't have kids so I'm sure that's part of it, but they've lived there for eight years so it's not like they just moved in and don't have anything. While I'm sure they did some cleaning for the guests, it just struck me as a very cold and uninviting place to live.

We don't have kids, either, and our house is quite a bit smaller, but we have personal stuff everywhere. If you walked in here you'd know whose house it was. Photos, mementos from our travels, books that aren't "cool" but that we actually read, DVD's, etc. are around. It's not cluttered or overstuffed -- everything has a place and is put away neatly -- but it is personal and comfortable. I just can't imagine living in a home that seems to be a showplace more than a home.

I just wonder if a lot of people keep their houses that sterile?

Def not!

A...I live in Army housing
B...I have 4 year old twins

 

[tvguy]

Not here. Our house is lived in and it looks like it. Hodge podge of comfortable, well used furniture.

 

[YodaGirl]

Nope. We've got a lived-in house. With a 4 yr old and a 4 month old, I'm not sure that I could realistically have anything else.

 

[happygirl]

No, I wouldn't want it to be, I don't want to live in a museum sp?

 

[luvmy3]

Yes, my house is a showplace. It definitely shows I have 3 kids and 3 pets

 

[NMAmy]

Nope. Our house is uncluttered but with lots of personal touches. I hate not being able to find things so I'm definitely an "everything in its place" kind of person. My dd describes me as a Mom who always knows where the scissors are.

We do a lot of entertaining--I like to think our house is welcoming and very clean but you wouldn't worry about bringing your kids or if you spilled something.

 

[HelenePA]

4 kids, 3 cat, a dog and a dh... nothing here is white

 

[marmalade]

My house is 100yrs old, definitely not a showcase. My house is very warm, comfortable and inviting. Maybe to inviting because everytime I turn around someone is calling asking if they can come over.

 

[monkeybug]

Def not!

A...I live in Army housing
B...I have 4 year old twins

Lol! Yes, same here!
I live in military housing...this is certainly no showplace!!
I have three kids, one of whom is a toddler.

When my house is clean I am a stickler for not having certain things be seen (when it's clean...). I don't have appliances on my counters (other than a coffee pot), nothing but decorative items on table tops, no bathroom items like toothpaste on the counter...basically everything is put away unseen. I did once have a friend say my house looked like it was from a magazine shoot because there was never any clutter (ha! I obviously must have cleaned every time she came over) or anything out of place. I think even when my house is clean it still looks lived in though. Lots of fun color and whimsical little decorations. At least I hope it looks inviting!

 

[Coconut36]

No way! I am more about comfort than style. I had friends who had a HUGE fancy upscale home that was very much a showplace. It was very lovely and worked for 2 working adults...then they unexpectedly ended up pregnant..boy did the house change after that! It became a lot more "relaxed" and homey after that.

 

[Mermaid02]

Not hardly.

 

[Shyvioletisme]

nope. We don't have kids either, but we have tons of books, photos, art work and movies around. It is very personal and definitely lived in.

 

[Sunnyt154]

No. I would like it to be but not possible with a 4 year old and another due in a couple months. I do keep the clutter down and things clean.

 

[mrodgers]

It's not cluttered or overstuffed...

Ours, cluttered and overstuffed. 2 kids, 2 adults, 1007 sq ft, 3 bedroom, bathroom, small kitchen, small livingroom. No dining room, we took out the wall between the kitchen and living room to straddle the space for a table. Tiny closet in hall 2 feet wide and 2.5 feet deep to house 2-4 coats/jackets per person, winter hats/gloves, snowsuits for the kids, games, vacuum cleaner, kitchen small appliances like crockpot and electric griddle, extra kitchen paper like paper towels and napkins, steam mop, and I'm sure a bunch of other stuff.

I grew up in a museum, I wasn't going to scream at my kids because they left a car out in the living room. Our house is lived in. Daily worn winter coats usually hung over the kitchen chairs because it is easier than wedging them in and out of the stuffed closet. You will find a few dishes out on the kitchen counters, and even an entire load covering the kitchen when we are both working during the day (my wife usually runs a load during the day and I run a load at night.

 

[twinboysmom]

Not even close. 2 year olds twins, 3 large dogs, 2 cats, and a DH that still hasn't learned to clean up after himself.

 

[YodaGirl]

Yes, my house is a showplace. It definitely shows I have 3 kids and 3 pets

 

[Pakey]

I have a low maintenance house. Solid surface flooring, granite countertops, no framed photos, magnets, books, etc. My furniture/decor is understated because we have a decent sized art collection and that is the focal point in our home.

My kids are grown now but my house has always been like this. I despise clutter and I have allergies. I call it low maintenance; others may call it something less kind.

 

[eliza61]

Yes, my house is a showplace. It definitely shows I have 3 kids and 3 pets

I was going to say, it depends on actually what you wanted to "show"

At one time I was trying to keep one room (the living room) as a show place type of room but I lost that battle.

 

[marcyinPA]

Our house is 100 years old, and has some beautiful features like stained glass windows and wide decorative moulding, but it is most definitely NOT a showplace!

We have a mix of old and new furniture, and a lot of pictures and stuff of family, and some of our rooms need work (like our bathroom- think 1950's). But, even with the kids stuff, the dog hair, and the constant dust that comes with a home the age of ours, are house is comfortable and inviting!