Friday
Mar092012
Stalking two family homes
Fri, 9 Mar 2012
Two for today. Two family homes that start with similar bone structure and end up with two different results. It's like aging. The first old dear has seen a plastic surgeon, gone under the knife and filled up on botox. Still I wouldn't call it mutton done up as lamb. Or would I? The second home has excepted growing old and tarted up with a little makeup and a lot of attitude but still looks a little tired. Perhaps a visit to a cosmetic clinic is in order? One thing I know for sure is that a "woman of a certain age" needs sympathetic lighting to take a good picture. Links here and here.
Reader Comments (13)
Oh! How I agree with your description! I can honestly say that I detest the "botoxed" house. It is already so dated and the poor thing has had its soul ripped out. There are so many better ways to age gracefully without giving into getting stuck in time. Developpers, property improvers, please do not throw the baby out with the bath water. Modernising does not mean tearing out every single feature. They are incredibly hard to reinstate and are the very things that will give your house some real character.
Totally agree. I like to see a bit of the scars of life. Enjoying where you are but knowing where you´ve come from. Well maybe that kitchen could get a little help...
I actually like both - but they are rediculously different in feel as you say. The second one definitely was done on a tighter budget. The kitchen is the only part that to me, feels very shabby chic - staying on the wrong side of shabby!
Loving the backyards of both...and also - i have to say, the second house's photographer did a fabulous job!
I love them both...and I think it is fine to juxtapose the old with the new.
The Botox House decor is too big to fit into the size of the rooms.
The second house could do with a bit of updating but its a more a make over than reconstructive surgery...
I love them both as well! Those fireplaces are beautiful, it would be a shame if they or something similar was ripped out, but who knows they could have already been long gone.
in the third line, maybe "excepted" should be "accepted"?
The first isn't a home, it's a house - I wouldn't take my coat off in it. If ever a house's attitude said, "Sod off!" The second has comfortable, welcoming public areas. If the kitchen is a little ratty, at least you can see a group of people having a good time in it. But the kids' rooms in the first house are fantastic - move them into the 'a bit tarted-up' house, where the bedrooms are woeful indeed.
Fascinating juxtaposition - good work! I much prefer the second to the first - echoing most of the comments already made.
But I'll continue to say that I detest the dead animal/flat cow on the floor motif. YUK!
The TV in the bedroom of the first house is placed way too high.
Has anyone mentioned that the U.S. flag is hanging backwards in the photo above? The Union should always be on the left to the viewer. otherwise I really love the designs!
I don't love either of them. I like both their exteriors, but neither of their interiors appeal to me. They just both feel tired and a bit blah.
Just an aside - I love original features, but ultimately your home is your home. Don't let someone tell you how to decorate or not. If you want to rip them out, do so. You're the one living there, not them.