Step foot in the living room and die!!!!

[disneyjunkie]

I'm sure we all do things others think are strange.

I'll never understand why someone needs/wants to put up more than one Christmas tree in their house.

I have a friend that has a living room that is off limits. You also can not wear shoes in her house.

 

[Mskanga]

No. All rooms are in use and all the appliances are used. Life is too short and we have to enjoy it.

 

[AmazingGrace]

We just bought our first home. The only room that I consider off limits is my bedroom. We have a really nice master bath, and a huge master bedroom, and it's like our sanctuary. No kids allowed, normally.
As far as houserules go, the kids keep their toys in the sunroom, so the toys stay in the sunroom. We have a dining room and a breakfast/snack bar. So, I don't let the kids eat anywhere else. Not even popcorn for movies, because we have the breakfast/snackbar with a window looking into the livingroom. The kids can eat there.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Originally posted by dg39
Even the dining room is off limits, unless its a holiday or company's over. Then after dinner everyone either goes into the game room or basement.

I could not in a million years ask company to go into the basement or gameroom after dinner


We specifically bought our house because it did NOT have a formal dining room. Our 1st 2 houses had both formal dining rooms and living rooms and they were barely used. Everyone was certainly welcome in them but they not convenient to the rest of the house. WHat a waste of space.

As for the plasma tv for "special family" movies, I think its in poor taste to subject guests to watch those. JMHO

 

[gina2000]

I don't think this is uncommon at all and dates back to a time when formal sitting rooms were in all homes. People with larger homes in the area do create a formal sitting room and dining room which is usually not used except at holidays and when company is over. I wouldn't put a tv in the room because normally, tv wouldn't be on when friends visit in a formal type arrangement. Again, another throwback to a different time and era.

My home isn't large enough to do that but I probably would if I had the space. It's nice to have one room that no one trashes....including me.

 

[C.Ann]

I could never understand the concept of treating "company" better than you treat your own family members.. Special rooms; special foods; special china.. I mean really - who takes priority - "company" or the truly special people in your life?

My house is well lived in - every nook and cranny - and I wouldn't have it any other way.. My family members are far more "special" than ANY "company" or "guests"could ever be...

 

[hentob]

But, I would hardly consider a father and his daughter sitting down to a movie with a bowl of popcorn "trashing a room". I would say that is fantastic, relaxing family time. Kudos to the popcorn eating dad!!!!!

Also, he is an adult. It is his house too. How insulting to tell him where he can and can not sit.

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by Amirah95
I found my DH and DD eating popcorn and watching Finding Nemo in my living room today!!!!!!!! I almost passed out. I lost all feeling in my legs for a brief moment. DH said he didn't think it would be a big deal to "chill" out in the living room since we're in our new home now. Didn't he know the rules would be even stricter in our new home? I had an interior decorator come in and help me with that room specifically and he's in there with popcorn??

OMG!!!! This reminds me of that episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where all of his Mother's Living room furniiture is covered with plastic.

 

[JoNo]

why would you spend money to build a room you can't be in? You could save that money for a trip to WDW...

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by hentob
Also, he is an adult. It is his house too. How insulting to tell him where he can and can not sit.

I sounds like HE doesn't have a problem with it. Tanya said he did it as a joke. Based on what was posted, it doesn't seem to be a problem for them.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by hentob
Also, he is an adult. It is his house too. How insulting to tell him where he can and can not sit.

---------------------

This reminds me of something that happened when I was a child.. My aunt (the mother of 3 children) also had one of these "off-limits" living rooms that only "company" was allowed in.. One Sunday we went over to visit and because we were "company", of course we were escorted into the off-limits living room.. My cousins were made to sit on the couch - hands folded in their laps - while I was allowed to have several cookies, a beverage, and play with some toys on the floor..

I can't even begin to tell you how many times I have thought about that over the years (and it's been many, MANY years).. How degrading to her children - that she would put a "guest" on a pedestal above them - in what was supposed to be their home.. I could NEVER do that to my children or my DH..

 

[JayBee]

Originally posted by Amirah95
I
And before anyone asks why we have a TV in the living room, it's a special Plasma tv that hangs on the wall like a picture to watch our wedding and special family moments on when family and friends come over. I give dinner parties at least once every two months and it is nice to have our company to relax in nice and clean living and dining area.

Anybody else dining room and living room crazy like me? If not, take it easy on me please.

OMG I missed this...............A TV just to watch "special family moments"??

Hubby and child sharing popcorn & a movie is a very special moment to me.

 

[phorsenuf]

I can understand having a formal living room for company (if you have a large enough house and it is not taking space away from living in it comfortably), but a special TV?

Personally, I think having an expensive plasma TV just for company is a little pretentious.

Just out of curiosity, what does your family get to use for a TV?


I know if we ever bought a plasma TV (ain't gonna happen...I have more important things to spend my money on...although DH would love one!) I would never dream of telling my husband and kids they can't use it! Although DH would laugh in my face anyways if I tried to tell him that.
Sounds to me that dad wants to make good use out of that expensive TV.........don't blame him one bit!!!

JMHO

 

[Tinkerbelle739]

We use ALL of our home. We dine every night in our VERY formal diningroom, together, as a family!! We have very expensive antique furniture in there and we have taught the children to respect it. I think it is important to teach your children respect for nice things, but putting areas off limit, IMO, does not teach that.

Free yourself OP!!! Tonight after everyone is home, go in there, put in the Wizard of Oz, play a game, eat popcorn and enjoy some family fun time IN THE LIVINGROOM!!



Wishing everyone a "magical" day!

 

[Mom2Ashli]

We use every room in my house and than some. I have a DD (5) and our whole entire house looks lived in. I have enough stress in my life that I don't need to stress out about what rooms they can or can not use.

 

[believe]

On special occassions there is eating in the living room and family room, otherwise food is only for the kitchen. They can play, sit, watch television, etc any time. I grew up with a Mom who vacuumed and dusted every day. We couldn't sit on our beds during the day or in the living room, unless it was on the floor or in a chair that didn't have cushions. My kids enjoy our furniture, but respect it.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by Tink&SquirtsMom
Well right now our living room has no furniture in it. Hey we are new to the house and never had a living room before.

HAHAHAAH - US too!

Actually - we have 2 lamps and a sofa table in there...but no sofa! heheh

My mom had that "living room" that no one could go in...I would get the hairy eyeball if I sat on the "good" couch and talked on the phone. (little did she know, the dogs LOVED sitting on the velvet chair)

When she finally decided to get new furniture, she gave the "good stuff" to my brother for his first apartment. She came home to find him and me (22 and 25 years old back then) jumping up and down on the cushions. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?! she screams - why breaking it in of course! Those cushions were still rock hard!

10 months later, my brother took a chainsaw to the couch...couldn't stand looking at it anymore! heheh

to each their own though...IMO...a house is meant to be lived in. I'm a clean/neat freak too...but I'd never declare a room 'off limits'

 

[ducklite]

We also have a formal living room, although I purposely didn't put a tv into it. It's a room for conversation, reading, etc., not for relaxing with a bowl of popcorn or salsa and chips and watching tv.

We have a family room with a wide screen tv and "food proof" furnishings, bought for exactly that reason LOL! That room is pretty much anything goes as far as food, although I draw the line at a bowl of pasta dripping with sauce

I certainly agree with the idea of no food in the living room, but I think I would have explained this to the family far in advance, not expected them to read minds about your expectations.

Anne

 

[MichDISer]

Life is too short.

When we first moved into our new house 11 years ago, I was a little compulsive about it too, but I have matured a little since then

Our Great Room is beautiful.......
50 inch LCD Screen with surround sound, Dark Brown Leather Furniture, Glass talbles.......
but you know what? We still LIVE in that room and if something gets crumbs...... we vacuum them up.
If something gets spilled..... we wipe it up.
If something gets ruined...... we will replace it.
We are making memories in that room.

 

[Planogirl]

Our house doesn't even have a formal living room and that's exactly the way I like it. All living is done in the den. As a matter of fact, our dining room is an office and our breakfast nook is our dining area. That is, if we don't eat in the den.

I'm not much for formal areas.