# Do Rich people Decorate their Homes Like This? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379 "2013-12-03T16:26:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/21 "2013-12-03T22:45:53Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I had to do the same when we bought the leopard. I hope you put the baby away, as well. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/22 "2013-12-04T00:20:45Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > We have a vacation home in St. Croix that was in AD years ago. It’s a nice place, but open, clean, and simple, without a lot of knick knacks. We kept it as we bought it. > > Our house here is crammed with not only my trinkets acquired over 30 years of travel, but my mom’s as well, since I can’t bring myself to box it all and store it. I don’t NEED a camel saddle by the fireplace, but there it is… Which issue? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/23 "2013-12-04T00:37:06Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > I had to do the same when we bought the leopard. Thank you. I needed this. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/24 "2013-12-04T01:45:15Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > We have a vacation home in St. Croix that was in AD years ago. It’s a nice place, but open, clean, and simple, without a lot of knick knacks. We kept it as we bought it. You own [Pyramid Point](http://thepyramidpoint.com/sites/all/themes/framework/pdf/index.html)? I was unaware that Donald C. Smith had sold it. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/25 "2013-12-04T03:16:54Z")
We never lived in a mansion, but my mother was making upper six figures. I grew up (at least in my teen years) in that Better Homes and Garden house. Not fun. I wasn’t allowed to sit on the furniture if I was wearing my blue jeans. Which sucked, because that’s ALL I ever wore back in those days. ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/26 "2013-12-04T03:49:21Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Not fun. I wasn’t allowed to sit on the furniture if I was wearing my blue jeans. Which sucked, because that’s ALL I ever wore back in those days. The aunt mentioned above actually had a velvet rope to cordon off areas when she had family over for barbecues. I think I was in my 30s before I actually sat in her living room - she basically waited until all her kids finished college before granting access to the entire house. Then the grandkids started coming and… ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/27 "2013-12-04T06:13:28Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > My experience as well. > > Also, I’ve seen homes of 15-20K sq ft with only about 2500 sq ft actually being used daily. Go into the huge entryway, with a 3 story high (and vaulted) ceiling, make your way past the amazingly huge table in the dining area, go on thru the plush den with furniture that costs more than my car, go down that one hall, open the door into a regular, busy, and even unkempt daily living area. That’s what I’ve seen. Exactly. In large “official accommodation” type houses, like the White House and Buckingham Palace, the living areas and the public areas are completely separate. Even in large private homes, I have seen you have such a differentiation. In one case, they had a huge dinning room where they entertained certain guests a few times a year and a smaller place where they normally ate which looked like any normal middle class dinning room. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/28 "2013-12-04T06:37:15Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > Which issue? Fear of abandonment, probably. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/29 "2013-12-04T20:28:24Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > We have a vacation home in St. Croix that was in AD years ago. It’s a nice place, but open, clean, and simple, without a lot of knick knacks. We kept it as we bought it. > > Our house here is crammed with not only my trinkets acquired over 30 years of travel, but my mom’s as well, since I can’t bring myself to box it all and store it. I don’t NEED a camel saddle by the fireplace, but there it is… And what about your beach house in Florida? Is it decorated with the wedding rings you invariably find with your metal detector? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/30 "2013-12-04T20:44:04Z")
> [@bup](#): > > And what about your beach house in Florida? Is it decorated with the wedding rings you invariably find with your metal detector? Is that a problem in FL too? A friend honeymooned in CA’s Disneyplace and her new husband lost his wedding ring on a water ride; the staff said they average about 30 lost rings a week, easy. His wasn’t found, though. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/31 "2013-12-04T21:33:36Z")
[Kinda sparse, but they do have two major pieces in it…](http://www.yoururbanlife.com/listing/4386742-unit-2301-100-3rd-ave-s-minneapolis-mn-55401/http://) ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/32 "2013-12-04T21:45:17Z")
I knew a couple of doctors. Their house was filled with African masks. (They had often traveled over there.) ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/33 "2013-12-04T22:47:42Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > Is that a problem in FL too? Yes. Thankfully though ducati is there to find them all and generously return them to their owners. Even that multi-million dollar 7 ct. perfect diamond from Tiffanys. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/34 "2013-12-05T01:13:16Z")
I’m finding this interesting, because I’ve often wondered about those houses. I look at Martha Stewart’s layouts and the rooms are so big, so bright, and clean, and there’s no clutter, no crap waiting around to do something with, no STUFF. I’ve come to the conclusion my house is just too small. Our hall closet is ideal for 4 pairs of shoes and 4 coats - there it is crammed. The dining room has antique furniture, we don’t eat there, so it’s a catch-all - just crammed with more stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/35 "2013-12-05T04:25:11Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > You own [Pyramid Point](http://thepyramidpoint.com/sites/all/themes/framework/pdf/index.html)? I was unaware that Donald C. Smith had sold it. Years ago. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/36 "2013-12-05T04:39:23Z")
The thing I remember being distinctive about the house of the richest person I’ve been in was the goddamn framed group pictures with the rich and powerful everywhere, they REALLY wanted you to know they have had their picture taken with US presidents for example.😛 ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/37 "2013-12-05T12:49:12Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > I’m finding this interesting, because I’ve often wondered about those houses. I look at Martha Stewart’s layouts and the rooms are so big, so bright, and clean, and there’s no clutter, no crap waiting around to do something with, no STUFF. I’ve come to the conclusion my house is just too small. Our hall closet is ideal for 4 pairs of shoes and 4 coats - there it is crammed. The dining room has antique furniture, we don’t eat there, so it’s a catch-all - just crammed with more stuff. Oh man, growing up, if I sat my car keys down on the kitchen table, my mom would freak out and officially declare the house a disaster area. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/38 "2013-12-05T15:00:49Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > Oh man, growing up, if I sat my car keys down on the kitchen table, my mom would freak out and officially declare the house a disaster area. Try walking home from school in the second grade, sitting on the couch, and getting yelled at for messing up the living room. The only thing different was that I was in the living room. Her kids existing apparently messes up a house in my Mom’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/39 "2013-12-05T18:20:01Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Years ago. I guess you mean he sold it to you years ago and you own it now, and not you sold it to him years ago, otherwise you wouldn’t have said you “have it” in your post, as in the present tense. That’s very impressive! Did you know that [Architectural Digest](http://thepyramidpoint.com/) chose it as one of the thirty most spectacular homes in the world in the ‘Private Views - Inside the World’s Greatest Homes’ publication? Among other properties such as the Czar’s Private Apartments in the Kremlin, Giorgio Armani Villa in Antigua, and Ralph Lauren’s Retreat in Bedford, New York? Do you own all four houses on the 5 acre property? Did you get to meet Ted Kennedy when he stayed there? The reason I’m so curious is that I actually stayed there myself in 2010, and met the owners, Svitlana and George. Which one are you? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379/40 "2013-12-05T18:35:33Z")
> [@Morbo](#): > > I guess you mean he sold it to you years ago and you own it now, and not you sold it to him years ago, otherwise you wouldn’t have said you “have it” in your post, as in the present tense. > > That’s very impressive! Did you know that [Architectural Digest](http://thepyramidpoint.com/) chose it as one of the thirty most spectacular homes in the world in the ‘Private Views - Inside the World’s Greatest Homes’ publication? Among other properties such as the Czar’s Private Apartments in the Kremlin, Giorgio Armani Villa in Antigua, and Ralph Lauren’s Retreat in Bedford, New York? > > Do you own all four houses on the 5 acre property? Did you get to meet Ted Kennedy when he stayed there? > > The reason I’m so curious is that I actually stayed there myself in 2010, and met the owners, Svitlana and George. Which one are you? Someone should explain to \*\*ducati \*\*the difference between a Timeshare and actually owning a home someplace. And also what reality is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-rich-people-decorate-their-homes-like-this/675379.md?page=3)