I dated an exec and went with him to Bermuda (they were having a board meeting so we made a weekend of it). We went to the house of one of the board members for cocktails before heading out to dinner, and it was a true Great Gatsby moment for me. At the end of a very long drive through jungle-like trees, we were welcomed into the home of the board member and his wife. Everything just looked rich- the furniture, the art, the decor. We went out onto their back patio, and just past their swimming pool was a stunning view of the ocean.

It was breathtaking.

Anonymous wrote:I have friends who have spectacular places on the upper east side. Great townhouses. Been in some restored early 18th century homes on Nantucket too. Have a friend who owns what might be the nicest house in DC, WH included. Huge, well built down to the finest details and filled with an unbelievable art collection.

Similar to the UES, stayed with a friend with a home on Beacon Hill. 5 floors, elevator, meticulously and thoughtfully designed. I loved every floor. I loved hearing the heat sigh on quietly in this completely updated grand dame of an old Boston house. Spectacular view down the hill as well.

Anonymous wrote:It was a small home (guest house) that my DH and I rented for a few days on a farm. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, lots of windows and the living room, kitchen and dining area were one room with a huge fireplace. It was absolutely charming. We always said we’d go back, but life got busy and sadly he died unexpectedly in 2020. We planned to downsize our home considerably after retirement and we wanted to build something similar. Alas, retirement never came. It was small, but perfect.

I'm sorry.

Anonymous wrote:Cozy is (imo)
- Personalized (not generic or institutional looking)
- Comfortable
- Different textures
- Not too matched

My attempt to make our family room “cozy” (but also uncluttered) is a wooden tray on a coffee table containing 2 tv remote controls, a plant in a basket, a really cute mini 4” game of “operation,” a few mini children’s books, a tiny zen wooden box with sand/stacking stones, and small puzzles)

That already sounds cluttered to me. YMMV

Someone who was an amateur (but either very well-educated or well-advised) art collector. It was stunning. Every single thing about the house was meticulously chosen-- but not overly fussy. The house wasn't even "large" but every single room was perfect.

And they had a wing of original artwork, all taken care of like it was a museum. Like, just in their house. To me, that's the height of luxury.

Dustin Hoffman’s triplex in the San Remo on Central Park West.

FYI - the kitchen was kinda underwhelming and he keeps his Oscars in his walk-in closet.

The view!!

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Angeles/1302-Collingwood-Pl-90069/home/7121143

More photos from the architect:

https://www.landrydesigngroup.com/#/portfolio/modern/2143

Friends of ours have a small house on a small lot but everything about it is charming. The attention to detail inside and outside is amazing. I’ve been in many large incredibly decorated homes but they do nothing for me.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=20tg5-fJCOM

Picture of Kings Point house I like

My friends uncle lives off Great Gatsby Lane in Kings Point. NY waterfront. Yes that Great Gatsby.

The views are spectacular he has a massive boat that requires a crew of 12 to use. He gets them from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy. His kitchen table I counted seats 32!!! Dining Room 64 - I counted. I also counted six Rolls Royces in the garages. I say back in 1997 when at house it was worth 6 million. Today who knows! House is on acres waterfront 22 miles from Manhattan. I recall he used to go to Citi Island for dinner on the Bronx in his Aquacar. Those rare cars that turn into a boat!! He was like Arthur from the movie.

Anonymous wrote:Tell me more about this stone farmhouse on a mountain top... sounds like a Hallmark movie.

But seriously, what makes something cozy? Throws? Fireplace? A great room?

It was a Christmas tree farm run by a dual fed couple who had a small condo in Arlington but went out to the farm on the weekends (they also had a farm manager who took care of things). it was a cold december day with the wind nipping at our ears, and the ground slightly crunchy with frost. Tramped around the farm a bit and then as the sun sank over the mountain, we came indoors to a roaring fireplace for hot cocoa and cookies. There was a basket of kittens by the fire. I was a kid at the time and it was just so magical, I didn’t want to leave.

I have friends who have spectacular places on the upper east side. Great townhouses. Been in some restored early 18th century homes on Nantucket too. Have a friend who owns what might be the nicest house in DC, WH included. Huge, well built down to the finest details and filled with an unbelievable art collection.

Does touring Newport count? Lol

I have know someone who builds houses. Their house, which he built, works perfectly for who they are and how they live. So that’s the nicest house I’ve been in.

Similarly, the nicest space I’ve lived in on my own was a one bedroom apartment in a converted factory. It fit me perfectly at the time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The wife of some divorce to a high-powered DC lobbyist who was into artwork.

Podestas?

yes! I could not remember her name for the life of me.

The white one on Pennsylvania ave.