Disneyworld mansions in Potomac

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. There is one with the crazy colorful fountain out front. Could be that person's dream home from when they were little and perfectly normal looking to them. I think Frank Lloyd Wright homes are terrible (gasp!). It's so fun to look at these crazy mansions. One time there was valet parking way at the base of the driveway. Really wanted to go to that party

Life would be boring if everyone had the same taste.

You know, I'm kind of with you on this. I drove a carpool of middle-school kids out River Road recently and we had a lot of fun speculating about what it would be like to live in those houses -- what if you misplaced your car keys, it would take you hours to find them! Would you drive a golf cart down the hall to visit your little sister's wing of the house? The thing is they're so obviously, ostentatiously over the top that somehow they're not as offensive as the ubiquitous "tasteful" faux-Craftsman McMansions in the closer-in 'burbs. (True confession here: we bought a tear-down in Chevy Chase and put up a new house, so I do not pretend to be without design sin. Forgive me for casting stones at faux-stucco houses).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money doesn't buy style.

Money MAKES style!

sad but true

Not at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I quite liked it. I realized it could be that I have seen homes like these in other countries. I think because there are so many people here from other countries, who are used to these kinds of buildings that it is not looking odd to them. It does not look like an American home. But it is perfectly in keeping with the tastes of those from other countries and those who have the millions to afford this.

But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

[Anonymous]

Lets just say after a certain dollar amount, the arts and crafts style is just not going to cut it.

If you could have huge closets, wouldn't you? Would you admit it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. There is one with the crazy colorful fountain out front. Could be that person's dream home from when they were little and perfectly normal looking to them. I think Frank Lloyd Wright homes are terrible (gasp!). It's so fun to look at these crazy mansions. One time there was valet parking way at the base of the driveway. Really wanted to go to that party

Life would be boring if everyone had the same taste.

You know, I'm kind of with you on this. I drove a carpool of middle-school kids out River Road recently and we had a lot of fun speculating about what it would be like to live in those houses -- what if you misplaced your car keys, it would take you hours to find them! Would you drive a golf cart down the hall to visit your little sister's wing of the house? The thing is they're so obviously, ostentatiously over the top that somehow they're not as offensive as the ubiquitous "tasteful" faux-Craftsman McMansions in the closer-in 'burbs. (True confession here: we bought a tear-down in Chevy Chase and put up a new house, so I do not pretend to be without design sin. Forgive me for casting stones at faux-stucco houses).

A lonely roomba traveling through square foot after square foot of massive rooms...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

+1. Also, look up 'Rococo'.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I quite liked it. I realized it could be that I have seen homes like these in other countries. I think because there are so many people here from other countries, who are used to these kinds of buildings that it is not looking odd to them. It does not look like an American home. But it is perfectly in keeping with the tastes of those from other countries and those who have the millions to afford this.

But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Neuschwantstein is the very embodiment of kitsch.

[Anonymous]

^^Neuschwanstein

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

+1. Also, look up 'Rococo'.

But even Neuschwanstein is built with local materials, the rooflines correspond to the areas they shelter and supports are proportional to the height of the walls, there is uniformity in window styles, the gate and front facade are each symmetrical…. It is over-the-top but its not a mess. These nouveau riche mansions don't get any of those elements right.

Rococo is highly decorative but uses symmetry/mirror images, repeated themes, balanced proportions (even if over scale), and colors that work in harmony. Again, it is a unified style that works within its own context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

+1. Also, look up 'Rococo'.

But even Neuschwanstein is built with local materials, the rooflines correspond to the areas they shelter and supports are proportional to the height of the walls, there is uniformity in window styles, the gate and front facade are each symmetrical…. It is over-the-top but its not a mess. These nouveau riche mansions don't get any of those elements right.

Rococo is highly decorative but uses symmetry/mirror images, repeated themes, balanced proportions (even if over scale), and colors that work in harmony. Again, it is a unified style that works within its own context.

Ugh:

http://www.firstbostonrealty.com/luxury-mansion.shtml#

http://homesoftherich.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-shot-2014-01-15-at-8.18.14-AM-1024x650.png

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/9-million-mansion-mclean_n_1891625.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. There is one with the crazy colorful fountain out front. Could be that person's dream home from when they were little and perfectly normal looking to them. I think Frank Lloyd Wright homes are terrible (gasp!). It's so fun to look at these crazy mansions. One time there was valet parking way at the base of the driveway. Really wanted to go to that party

Life would be boring if everyone had the same taste.

You know, I'm kind of with you on this. I drove a carpool of middle-school kids out River Road recently and we had a lot of fun speculating about what it would be like to live in those houses -- what if you misplaced your car keys, it would take you hours to find them! Would you drive a golf cart down the hall to visit your little sister's wing of the house? The thing is they're so obviously, ostentatiously over the top that somehow they're not as offensive as the ubiquitous "tasteful" faux-Craftsman McMansions in the closer-in 'burbs. (True confession here: we bought a tear-down in Chevy Chase and put up a new house, so I do not pretend to be without design sin. Forgive me for casting stones at faux-stucco houses).

A lonely roomba traveling through square foot after square foot of massive rooms...

very WALL E

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
But in every culture/region, there are certain architectural styles that have developed over time, and those styles generally share characteristics regarding proportion, relationship between different elements, visual balance, etc.

So many of these new houses are a mishmash of styles, have elements (e.g., towers, columns, rooflines) that are out of proportion with each other, fail to appropriately integrate (or hide) modern elements like garages, have grounds that are too flat or have landscaping that is too small…..

You can have a lovely and tasteful house in any architectural style, but a lot of these new houses seem to be based on the theory that "more is better" -- more volume, more design elements, more decoration….. It usually doesn't work.

Everything you're describing is the opposite of Neuschwanstein and its one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

+1. Also, look up 'Rococo'.

But even Neuschwanstein is built with local materials, the rooflines correspond to the areas they shelter and supports are proportional to the height of the walls, there is uniformity in window styles, the gate and front facade are each symmetrical…. It is over-the-top but its not a mess. These nouveau riche mansions don't get any of those elements right.

Rococo is highly decorative but uses symmetry/mirror images, repeated themes, balanced proportions (even if over scale), and colors that work in harmony. Again, it is a unified style that works within its own context.

Ugh:

http://www.firstbostonrealty.com/luxury-mansion.shtml#

http://homesoftherich.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Screen-shot-2014-01-15-at-8.18.14-AM-1024x650.png

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/17/9-million-mansion-mclean_n_1891625.html

They are beautiful whats the problem.

[Anonymous]

One of the problems with big houses is that they do not have enough space around them.

Plop them on a mountain top or 100 acres of lawn/forest, and they will look fine.

[Anonymous]

Oh my goodness - please make it go away mummy!

http://www.niroomasterpieces.com/gallery.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh my goodness - please make it go away mummy!

http://www.niroomasterpieces.com/gallery.html

Why? Who has the right to restrict another man's freedom.