Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Money doesn't buy style.

Money MAKES style!

sad but true

Anonymous wrote:Money doesn't buy style.

Money MAKES style!

Money doesn't buy style.

Each to their own..but I prefer my 1962 brick split to many homes I see in Potomac. Chevy Chase is where I would go if I had the $$.

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I drive through this and similar areas I am stunned how poor most folks' taste out there is.

If one has the money, why not buying quality, instead of pseudo Loire-valley chateaus that look like being made from lego?

Why does it matter to you? If someone has the money, I think they should build what they like, even if some anonymous poor person doesn't think it is quality.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I drive through this and similar areas I am stunned how poor most folks' taste out there is.

If one has the money, why not buying quality, instead of pseudo Loire-valley chateaus that look like being made from lego?

This is understandable. It is extermely difficult for people such as yourself to appreciate the tastes of the mega rich.

ROFLOL while also pondering the depth of meaning and multiple layers in this post.

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I drive through this and similar areas I am stunned how poor most folks' taste out there is.

If one has the money, why not buying quality, instead of pseudo Loire-valley chateaus that look like being made from lego?

This is understandable. It is extermely difficult for people such as yourself to appreciate the tastes of the mega rich.

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.

I think y'all are using "quality" as a euphemism for "the style I happen to like."

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.

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.

I actually like driving by them, especially the ones on River Road. I'll preempt the following statement as a humblebrag: hubby makes almost 7 figures but even then, I don't think I could afford the upkeep. Yet it's fun to drive by them and wonder what it must be like to live in one. And what the AC/Heat bill is each month. Taste is subjective---what's art to one person is junk to another, and what's junk to one person is art to another. . . this is America---let people pick what they like and don't begrudge them their choice to live life as they see fit.

Street view doesn't always work because these are set so far back from the street. Do a google image search for Niroo Mansions and you'll see what OP is talking about.

Anonymous wrote:Whenever I drive through this and similar areas I am stunned how poor most folks' taste out there is.

If one has the money, why not buying quality, instead of pseudo Loire-valley chateaus that look like being made from lego?

I know what you mean but can you provide some google street views for our viewing pleasure.

Whenever I drive through this and similar areas I am stunned how poor most folks' taste out there is.

If one has the money, why not buying quality, instead of pseudo Loire-valley chateaus that look like being made from lego?