McMansions (floor, townhouses, furniture, cost)

[Lakewooder]

Check this out: http://www.slate.com/id/2179373/

[Briolat21]

I think that what gets me, its not that people think my house architechturally is bland (I guess it sort of is, but no - I can't afford a personal architecht, even if I was building a 1500 sq foot house).. its not that they assume it must be poorly built as it is a "tract" (mass builder building entire neighborhood) home, its that they assume I'm a shallow land gobbling person. Oh well.. maybe I am? But I just am so frightened on this board at the willingness to cast stones at one another. I don't drive through an apartment complex thinking "these stupid losers should really buy a house".. why do people in "smaller/older/more interesting" homes think that they should judge us and our taste?

And if you don't know the difference between a McMansion, and a Mansion - you've never really seen a mansion. We're going to have a good sized home (about 3000sq ft) on one acre. We are not going to have travertine marble floors, or a domed mosaic ceiling, or gilded light fixtures, or full wood trim in every nook and cranny, or combed wool carpeting, or full murals (painted by real painters) or full plaster...

that's the difference..

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Briolat21

I think that what gets me, its not that people think my house architechturally is bland (I guess it sort of is, but no - I can't afford a personal architecht, even if I was building a 1500 sq foot house).. its not that they assume it must be poorly built as it is a "tract" (mass builder building entire neighborhood) home, its that they assume I'm a shallow land gobbling person. Oh well.. maybe I am? But I just am so frightened on this board at the willingness to cast stones at one another. I don't drive through an apartment complex thinking "these stupid losers should really buy a house".. why do people in "smaller/older/more interesting" homes think that they should judge us and our taste?

And if you don't know the difference between a McMansion, and a Mansion - you've never really seen a mansion. We're going to have a good sized home (about 3000sq ft) on one acre. We are not going to have travertine marble floors, or a domed mosaic ceiling, or gilded light fixtures, or full wood trim in every nook and cranny, or combed wool carpeting, or full murals (painted by real painters) or full plaster...

that's the difference..

My house is considered modest here in Charlotte NC, LOL. At least I consider it modest compared to all the more elaborate houses - and it is 3200 sq. ft. so not like it is "small." Very plain all brick Georgian. I love decorating and renovating and working on my landscaping. I am constantly upgrading something on the interior. I see all these much more elaborate homes around me and feel quite in awe - and then find out they have less square footage than my house or only have a brick facade in the front - and they cost $600,000 and up.

It all depends on what works for you. Since my house was built in the 80s, I hired a structural engineer, as well as a home inspector, b/f I bought this house. It is built above standard, and that was a wonderful surprise! Our power was off and the house is so well insulated, it stayed in the 60s w/ no additional heat for three days.

Enjoy your home!!! I know my home is not an impressive home to drive by - but to me, it is my haven and it is exactly what DH and I wanted. I told my realtor - find me a plain brick Georgian w/ a hipped roof on 1/2 acre and she did! We only looked at three houses b/f we moved here.

Your home is your home . . . who cares what anyone thinks. I put up a french hand printed wallpaper in my dining room and most people tell me it is just too too stuffy and 18th Century and will not be good for re-sale. OH WELL. Last time I checked, Home Beautiful had not scheduled a photo shoot at my house, so who cares what anyone else thinks.

[notjustamom]

Originally Posted by Briolat21

We're going to have a good sized home (about 3000sq ft) on one acre.

That would not qualify as a McMansion here, it's rather small by McMansion standards, lol. You would need to double or more it's size, and maybe shrink the lot. People here tear down existing small homes and throw up "McMansions" 5000/6000 square feet or more in size.

Enjoy your new home.

[ProLogic]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

My wife's aunt has a $650K Toll Brothers McMansion in PA. Came complete with a plastic chandelier in the dining room.

$650k for a Mansion?! Thats wayy cheap! Here in the bay area you can get a.. decent home for that much.

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by anifani821

My house is considered modest here in Charlotte NC, LOL. At least I consider it modest compared to all the more elaborate houses - and it is 3200 sq. ft. so not like it is "small." Very plain all brick Georgian. I love decorating and renovating and working on my landscaping. I am constantly upgrading something on the interior. I see all these much more elaborate homes around me and feel quite in awe - and then find out they have less square footage than my house or only have a brick facade in the front - and they cost $600,000 and up.

It all depends on what works for you. Since my house was built in the 80s, I hired a structural engineer, as well as a home inspector, b/f I bought this house. It is built above standard, and that was a wonderful surprise! Our power was off and the house is so well insulated, it stayed in the 60s w/ no additional heat for three days.

Enjoy your home!!! I know my home is not an impressive home to drive by - but to me, it is my haven and it is exactly what DH and I wanted. I told my realtor - find me a plain brick Georgian w/ a hipped roof on 1/2 acre and she did! We only looked at three houses b/f we moved here.

Your home is your home . . . who cares what anyone thinks. I put up a french hand printed wallpaper in my dining room and most people tell me it is just too too stuffy and 18th Century and will not be good for re-sale. OH WELL. Last time I checked, Home Beautiful had not scheduled a photo shoot at my house, so who cares what anyone else thinks.

Your house sounds very classy to me - and something which will stand the test of time.

[Homewardbound66]

Originally Posted by anifani821

My house is considered modest here in Charlotte NC, LOL. At least I consider it modest compared to all the more elaborate houses - and it is 3200 sq. ft. so not like it is "small." Very plain all brick Georgian. I love decorating and renovating and working on my landscaping. I am constantly upgrading something on the interior. I see all these much more elaborate homes around me and feel quite in awe - and then find out they have less square footage than my house or only have a brick facade in the front - and they cost $600,000 and up.

It all depends on what works for you. Since my house was built in the 80s, I hired a structural engineer, as well as a home inspector, b/f I bought this house. It is built above standard, and that was a wonderful surprise! Our power was off and the house is so well insulated, it stayed in the 60s w/ no additional heat for three days.

Enjoy your home!!! I know my home is not an impressive home to drive by - but to me, it is my haven and it is exactly what DH and I wanted. I told my realtor - find me a plain brick Georgian w/ a hipped roof on 1/2 acre and she did! We only looked at three houses b/f we moved here.

Your home is your home . . . who cares what anyone thinks. I put up a french hand printed wallpaper in my dining room and most people tell me it is just too too stuffy and 18th Century and will not be good for re-sale. OH WELL. Last time I checked, Home Beautiful had not scheduled a photo shoot at my house, so who cares what anyone else thinks.

I'd consider your house. Its sounds lovely and has "CHARACTER," which seems to be the missing factor in a lot of the newly built homes today.

I am a huge fan of small house designs by Susan Saranka. Her homes can cost as much to build as a big homes and its because of the details she incorporates into her designs. Did I mention I'm a HUGE fan, oh yes I did. If we had the money she's the one I would go with.

I also like some of Donald Gardner's homes.

Another good one was Frank Lloyd Wright even though his homes really aren't practical, they are special. I love homes fitting in with nature and not trying to out do it. (i.e. Homes on top of a mountain instead of nestled into it.)

[dmetro]

Your typical McMansion looks like this:




It's more or less the only thing they're building in the midwest and south right now, and most people who buy them are pretending to be rich, when they're really drowning in debt. Not that everyone who owns a house is like this: I have one and I'm quite the opposite. But many are...

[TampaKaren]

Originally Posted by dmetro

Your typical McMansion looks like this:




It's more or less the only thing they're building in the midwest and south right now, and most people who buy them are pretending to be rich, when they're really drowning in debt. Not that everyone who owns a house is like this: I have one and I'm quite the opposite. But many are...

To me, this beautiful home looks like the perfect place for a large family.

Here's an article about a McMansion for sale last year for the late McDonald's heriss, Joan Kroc --> http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/200...414movers.html

IMO, a McMansion starts at about 10,000 square feet, and sits on several acres.

[jdhall1]

Examples of them in my area include:











And my favorite: