Disneyworld mansions in Potomac

[Anonymous]

stay in chevy chase op

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:stay in chevy chase op

That's where I am indeed

[Anonymous]

I live in one of those 'mcmansions'. Not as big as the ones you see in the photos, but very large and all brick. The faux-stucco ones are on my street as well, but they leak like a sieve if the windows aren't caulked properly. Let's dispel some myths, shall we?

We live on 5 acres, thus the house indeed fits the lot.

We have no gaudy fountains, nor curly trees at the entrance

I can vacuum the whole house myself in about 1/2 hour, because while large, it's laid-out well.

I have plenty of room for my rescue pets. They are most grateful.

Our heating and cooling bills are not outrageous because the house is energy tight. We put in an air exchanger when we built it so it breathes. We did extra water-proofing so it doesn't leak

We have no pool. We do have a hot tub set into the deck I do not stay here for the summer, mostly to avoid people who are like y'all.

Our house is exceptionally well-balanced. You might not like an element or two, but it's quite classic.

My landscaping is not the tacky crap that's so prevalent here in the DC area. We have an abundance of nice shrubs and trees, lots of flowers,antique roses, vines, etc. and I am putting together a lovely parterre garden for next year's growing season.

We have a dedicated home theatre, therefore we do not spend a ton of money going out to the movies. I've entertained in there, my kids have had theme parties, and overall, it's paid for itself over and over. It has no tacky velvet rope or curtain. It is beige and black.

My property IS my property. I can do what I want with it and don't really care what you do with yours. When you spend time insulting other people's taste, I do wonder about you. Bigtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They are heinous.

[Anonymous]

Tacky. They look like those houses the Real Housewives of New Jersey live in. You can't buy taste, clearly.

[Anonymous]

Those that hate, envy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Apparently the Shah of Iran. Now his elite descendants can deliver only the best to you here.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I like the Casa de Amor. It is exquisitely over the top and betrays a sly sense of humor.

[Anonymous]

I'm with 8:03. I like for a home to have an actual architectural style. Some homes look like the builder threw together a bunch of elements from different styles - these homes tend to look kind of weird and "off."

I don't mind a big house. I've seen some big houses that were really nice. But there is big/nice and there is "tacky/gaudy/nouveau riche/no taste." If you think that people criticize because they're jealous, you may fall in the camp of not having taste in architecture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those that hate, envy

Not really. I can hate the way trailers look too, and I'm certainly not envious. I have nothing against big houses and can admit I'd love a bigger one. But I still wouldn't want one that is ugly, tacky, or silly looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those that hate, envy

Not really. I can hate the way trailers look too, and I'm certainly not envious. I have nothing against big houses and can admit I'd love a bigger one. But I still wouldn't want one that is ugly, tacky, or silly looking.

This.

Some people get pretty defensive when you dare question their taste.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My property IS my property. I can do what I want with it and don't really care what you do with yours. When you spend time insulting other people's taste, I do wonder about you. Bigtime.

Except that you force folks who drive by to look at your distasteful lego house.

Plant a high hedge and we're even.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

My property IS my property. I can do what I want with it and don't really care what you do with yours. When you spend time insulting other people's taste, I do wonder about you. Bigtime.

Except that you force folks who drive by to look at your distasteful lego house.

Plant a high hedge and we're even.

Also if you don't have time to do your makeup and hair when you leave the house, you should be required to wear a burka because our judgmental gaze ought be your chief concern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally, I like the Casa de Amor. It is exquisitely over the top and betrays a sly sense of humor.

Oh, I do too. We drive past it all the time on our way to soccer games in Poolesville, and it makes me smile every time. I especially love the iron eagles that guard the gates. Do you think the palm trees are real or fake? This is a debate in our family.

Here it is for you folks who don't travel River Road: http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/March-April-2013/Extreme-Homes/index.php?cparticle=3&siarticle=2#artanc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in one of those 'mcmansions'. Not as big as the ones you see in the photos, but very large and all brick. The faux-stucco ones are on my street as well, but they leak like a sieve if the windows aren't caulked properly. Let's dispel some myths, shall we?

We live on 5 acres, thus the house indeed fits the lot.

We have no gaudy fountains, nor curly trees at the entrance

I can vacuum the whole house myself in about 1/2 hour, because while large, it's laid-out well.

I have plenty of room for my rescue pets. They are most grateful.

Our heating and cooling bills are not outrageous because the house is energy tight. We put in an air exchanger when we built it so it breathes. We did extra water-proofing so it doesn't leak

We have no pool. We do have a hot tub set into the deck I do not stay here for the summer, mostly to avoid people who are like y'all.

Our house is exceptionally well-balanced. You might not like an element or two, but it's quite classic.

My landscaping is not the tacky crap that's so prevalent here in the DC area. We have an abundance of nice shrubs and trees, lots of flowers,antique roses, vines, etc. and I am putting together a lovely parterre garden for next year's growing season.

We have a dedicated home theatre, therefore we do not spend a ton of money going out to the movies. I've entertained in there, my kids have had theme parties, and overall, it's paid for itself over and over. It has no tacky velvet rope or curtain. It is beige and black.

My property IS my property. I can do what I want with it and don't really care what you do with yours. When you spend time insulting other people's taste, I do wonder about you. Bigtime.

I'm one of those who posted earlier, defending the "over-the-top" style as possibly whimsical or, at least, tolerable as a form of expression -- even if I wouldn't want to live there myself. I won't retract my statement now, but your hostile and overbearing tone isn't helping your case.