I went to a strangers house last night ...

[blinkofaneye90]

It was a friend of a friend type of thing who was hosting a beauty event. OMG her house was amazing. Probably valued around £2m, it was immaculate. Enough space to have not any clutter, a walk in shoes & coats cupboard, minimalistic, absolutely everything matching, all decor finished to a high spec. It was like a magazine show home. We have a fairly decent modern house, new kitchen installed last year, but it made me want to come home and rip out my new kitchen and everything else in my house and start again. Whereas I cant do that, I have cleared the very little clutter we had hanging around and this weekend will be doing a huge clean just to make everything smell/look/feel fresh. Will treat myself to some flowers too. The owner of the house was also immaculate. Slim, lovely manicured nails, softly spoken. I looked at myself - a little overweight, wearing a bobbled top with leggings and a tatty old pair of trainers (which I wouldn't usually ever wear, I put the wrong pair on by mistake).

I want to bin off work today and crack on with the house. And then go and buy myself the same lovely smelling Neom diffuser this house had, but it's £45 and I cannot ever justify that cost for a diffuser.

People in MLMs sometimes ask a friend to let them host their events - I've been to several such parties and they weren't held in the homes of the sellers. Sometimes you get a hostess gift from the seller.

My house looks and smells spectacular when I have company. The rest of the time there is washing on the kitchen island, shaving foam on the marble Burlington sink and this week my Great Dane did a proportionately sized diarrhoea on the cream Berber rug in the sitting room. She might have a beautiful home but she isn’t that together all the time, you saw a show, the best of her!

This!

It sounds like a show house rather than a home.

I’ve started to think the term show house on here is code for really lovely above average home

Rather than undersized newbuild staged with unusually small furniture and weirdly generic matching accessories?

I think that it’s lovely that she had invited the friends of her friends into her home to share in something enjoyable. And in my view, taking motivation or inspiration from another persons energy or success is great!

‘Cherry pick’ the best inspiration from other people. Have a home with the defuser and lots of family photographs!!!!

I went to a holiday wreath making workshop and same: her house was gorgeous. She was lovely, mid 30s, pretty with that casual oversized cashmere sweater and comfy trousers that only look good on the very slim. Her husband looked in at one point - fit and handsome with a lovely smile. Dare I say there were photos of two cute kids in the adjoining snug? All that was missing was a slumbering Labrador.
However unlike you this did not bring about a cleaning frenzy. Not a new diet.
She had very thin hair though - mine is my best feature!

You can see why envy is known as the most destructive emotion.

It destroys all the goodness and joy in what you do in fact have (a nice house with a modern kitchen).

Anyway you're not alone OP. We're all envious sometimes, we're all human, just it's not very helpful for us.

Like so many have said, don't compare. I've got some of those diffusers, my house is worth about a sixth of the one you've been to. Get one, you're worth it!

I'm glad a few people are wondering if it was even her house - that was my thought too. Hosting an MLM beauty event? Hmm. Surely to sell you the lifestyle they rent a lovely shiny tidy place! Have you tried to find the place in Airbnb?

I agree. I'm renting and will be for the rest of my life, so your house sounds lovely to me OP.

I'm not complaining about renting btw, I also am too old to bother about being envious of others, and know that I am very lucky in comparison to many, and I'm fairly content with my life.

This is ridiculous - there are literally 1000s of 2 million houses in London and the SE, it doesn’t mean all the owners are miserable alcoholics pretending the house is theirs.

Well yes.

I don’t really comprehend the envy being shown on here, and that’s from posters who haven’t even seen the house, just reading rhe ops description. I mean I’d get it somewhat if they’d actually seen it, but to be so envious just hearing about it?

all the it’s not a home, she might have a shit life, I’d rather have dogs, like it’s either or, it’s not hers, she has shit coming to her, check air b n b, at least my home of full of love nonsense.

I mean what the hell even is a show house in this context. Folks are writing it like it’s a thing, it’s not. It’s just a mumsnet phrase to put someone’s house down.

even the op, “it didn’t have a lived in effect” what does that even mean, no mess or clutter?

and it’s all because someone has a lovely home? If you’re tidy and it’s expensive then you’ve a miserable life, suffer from crippling anxiety, have cupboards full of shite, are likely not to live there, and its odds on something terrible is going to happen in your life?

do people really think like this?

You’ve had a snap shot into someone else’s life (albeit a wealthy person) it’s so easy to compare yourself to others. But you sound like you’re doing just fine to me. That air freshener sounds pricey, fresh air is free… maybe not with UK weather right now!
I used to watch Real Housewives of Cheshire as I love a bit of glamour, it’s another world I don’t inhabit. I’d love their beautiful houses but know it’s out of my league, it’s nice to dream though!

The grass is always greener….
Be thankful for what you have, and are not in a country where everything you own is bombed to smithereens, you have no health care, no shelter and watching your children starve to death

Sounds absolutely horrific! Do you have a family? They want a home, not a show house.

Anyway, this woman still needs to host selling parties to make a bit of pocket money. Don't envy that.

Yeah me too lol

It’s only natural that a person can feel a bit dejected about how their own house compares to someone else’s incredible house!!
The important thing to remember is that happiness isn’t measured by possessions!
Fill your own home with everything that you love!!
Take time to create your own perfect space, it doesn’t have to be big or expensive, just make sure everything is pleasing to the eye!!
Paint furniture if necessary and add candles and flowers!
Cushions & throw’s, new bedding & lighting will all make your house a unique home!!
Be grateful for what you have got in your life and not what you haven’t!!

Read the post about the mum dying of cancer and slap yourself.

Come on. Do you think this means this lady is superior to you or living in greater happiness. Who wants a £45 diffuser for the love of god. I'm usually very compassionate on here but this time I implore you to get a grip. Please just look at all you have and ask why am I so bothered by this.

Probably where she is because she doesn't "bin off work"......

A show home to one is homely to someone else. It's a style preference and doesn't mean people who have such houses are miserable.

I know a couple of homes like this and they are full of love and laughter.

Funny how people say don't compare yourself yet are quick to judge the host's house.

Over the years I’ve bought lots of stuff that I didn’t really need. I now have lots of CLUTTER!

Take the good improve on yourself and your house but don't try to match your life to other or stress about it or it can get you down just improve where you can a little jealousy can drive you to improve.

You really REALLY need to do some serious work on yourself @blinkofaneye90.

I thought this was a joke but you’re actually deadly serious. Wow.

I was that woman - very slim and well turned out with a large, immaculate home and garden. But, I was soooo miserable and lonely in a commuter town where I knew no one. I basically barely ate from being sad.

Now I live somewhere smaller, less remote and with no garden (we wanted a lifestyle change), I eat normally, have so much more enthusiasm for life and I feel soooo much better.
What you see at first glance is often far from the whole truth. Be happy as you:)