Tags
christmas decorations, clutter, decorating, indulgence, mansions, minimal, minimalism, over indulgence
Over the holidays I found a free copy of the Sunday newspaper in my driveway each week. I assume this was so that we would get used to getting the paper and want to keep getting it and to shower us with all of the holiday ads. However, I was glad to get the paper on Sunday, I do enjoy the puzzles and some of the features.
I noticed during the weeks that I got the paper that there is a section called “Homeseller”, it is filled with ads from realtors and listings of homes sold. There is also a feature each week of a family and their home.
Each week that I browsed this section I would read about the family and their home. No surprising that each of these homes was magnificent in stature. The articles would read about the magnitude of the home and it’s oppulence. I suppose no one would want to see a home that is smaller than 5000 square feet!!
One such featured home that caught my attention had 9000 square feet with six bedrooms and five full baths. This home is owned by a couple in their 60’s. The article boasted of it’s decor and location. It has a 18′ X 23′ screened in porch, as if the house wasn’t already large enough for two. The house also features a 3200 square foot basement and brazilian teak wood floors throughout the house.
The reason this house was chosen to be featured was for its Christmas decorations. The house had five Christmas trees, it took them over a week to set up all of the garlands, trees, lights, ornaments, etc. Seems a little overwhelming to me.
All of this is turned on my remote control. The man of the house “leaped out of bed each morning so that he could push the button.” He was an engineer so I’m sure he easily figured out how to do that.
Christmas decorating was a huge affair for the lady of the house, she spent weeks and would take pictures of it so that she could study them the next year for needed changes. Oh and she also gave away some of the old decor to charity when she bought new.
The ritual was to turn on the beautiful lights and decorations and then their 3 grandchildren came over for food and games. The basement is filled with games for them to play: air hockey, skee ball, pop-a-shot, and Pac-Man machines. To add to the collection of games the grandmother is asking Santa for a vintage pinball machine. Oh so nice. There is also a tv and a cabinet stocked full of video games and a pantry full of snacks that everyone loves to eat.
I’m sure the gist of this article is to impress people with the over indulgence of this home. To make us want more, to buy more, to work harder for these riches. To live vicariously through this couple. No doubt they have worked hard to get and maintain this lifestyle. I can admire someone working hard.
Not only the home was over indulgent, the picture of the couple showed them both to be obese. Not surprising since their basement was filled with video equipment, televisions, food, couches, etc. No gym equipment or books on the shelves.
I was supposed to be impressed with the over indulgent way that this family lives, but I found it to be quite disturbing and overwhelming. I was thinking of all of the resources that go into maintaining this home and to build. The work, money, planning, the effect on the environment, worry, stress, on and on.
Impressed? No thanks!!