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Original poster

Things that make you go 'Wow' when visiting other peoples' houses

132 replies

expatinscotland · 02/07/2006 21:53

Cool books, music, DVDs

Musical instruments

Period features - I'm jealous

Water features

Leather furniture

Antiques

OP posts:
thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 02/07/2006 23:00

I used to live in a house with bells in all the rooms - they were like doorbells and when you rang them a thing in the kitchen wiggled to tell the staff which room was calling. Unfortunatly there was only my mum in the kitchen and she'd just tell us to bugger off.

olivia35 · 02/07/2006 23:06

Books, booze, 'lived in' furniture, interesting stuff on the walls.

Kid paraphernalia in reception rooms kept to reasonable levels ie: hurled into one big box per room when offspring in bed.

Children's rooms full of well-used toys & not carpeted with broken TV tie in crap.

No stinking dogs (cats OK if litter tray recently cleaned).

acnebride · 02/07/2006 23:08

a house that echoes

a garden with old walls

one of those effulgent, tumbling cottage gardens with flowers everywhere

any comfortable sofa (we have an old sofabed which is uncomfortable and crap both as a sofa and a bed)

some form of nude portrait of themselves

obvious artistic eye/ability

mummydear · 02/07/2006 23:09

Kitchens - in fact most kitchens as mine is very small and falling part and I cannot wait to get a new one. But in the meantime we wait for our planning appeal to go through...thank you neighbours

Also love big hallways .

QueenPeaHead · 02/07/2006 23:10

.....and first prize goes to acnebride for use of the word "effulgent" in a post....

acnebride · 02/07/2006 23:15

god you panicked me there i had to rush off and check what it meant

not quite what i thought but it fits anyway

QueenPeaHead · 02/07/2006 23:15

I always thought it meant shiny, but I don't know....

QueenPeaHead · 02/07/2006 23:16

yup it does
that sort of works

I was impressed anyway!

hijack over

MrsJohnCusack · 02/07/2006 23:16

BIG kitchens with flagstones and lovely wooden bits and bobs
a lovely baby grand piano (I have loads of musical instruments kicking around here but I don't think any of you would go wow in my flat!). MAybe a nice Bechstein
lovely bay windows with light streaming through, onto lovely polished floorboards and the baby grand, with flowers on it.
loads of books (ones that look properly read too) and DVDs/CDs for me to nose through (I get v.nervous in houses with no books)
fabulous fireplaces, stained glass, other period features
high ceilings
dogs/cats
just loads of interesting STUFF

QueenPeaHead · 02/07/2006 23:18

dream on, mad stalker woman. back in your cell with you !

MrsJohnCusack · 02/07/2006 23:20

hmm yes you'd think a hollywood star would be able to buy me the things that impress me wouldn't you...

fattiemumma · 02/07/2006 23:20

someone who has invited me and my children to their home.

i couldnt care less if its a one bed flat on a council estate or a 24 bed mansion in Berks.

Original poster
expatinscotland · 03/07/2006 09:36

yeah, that pretty much sums it up for me, too, fattie!

i've been in some cool places.

OP posts:
Californifrau · 03/07/2006 19:22

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EvesMama · 03/07/2006 19:30

dust free space between carpet and skirting boards

i like the smmell of clean fresh washing(wether it be in a pile on sofa or on radiators or that glade airfreshner that pretends its clean fresh washing!)or even vanilla!..very homely and warming

i also love houses that have a central staircase and rooms either side..would loove a house with a central staircase..big wow!

BettySpaghetti · 03/07/2006 19:36

I love it when I see something in someones house that I would love in my house - something that is to my taste but is usually something you can't buy in every other shop in the High Street(usually its been bought in a junk shop/car boot/charity shop).

I like old things, objects that are a bit different so its great when you see that someone else has quirky tastes.

BettySpaghetti · 03/07/2006 19:37

ooh... and a spiral staircase would be a "Wow" too -always fancied one of those!

FrannyandZooey · 03/07/2006 19:39

I like bold use of colour

murals or other creative decor

a feeling of space and light and harmony

All things I aspire to but don't quite pull off.

I always think other people's houses are amazing - every house is interesting, even if you wouldn't choose to live like that.

fullmoonfiend · 03/07/2006 19:44

Most of the things already mentioned plus a 'reading room/library and a music room (either filled with folky instruments) or the type that is just walls of vinyl records, a large comfy sofa positioned twixt two fab (but not neccessarily big and obvious) speakers - and a bong, maybe

yomellamoHelly · 03/07/2006 19:49

Big garden does it every time

Marina · 03/07/2006 20:02

Books, books, books - I am at anyone able to have a proper home library/study
Really great music collection and pervy hi-fi
Piano
Art/sculpture
Handsome flourishing houseplants
Original parquet, stained glass and panelling in 1910s-20s houses
But a friendly welcoming vibe above all

megglevache · 03/07/2006 20:09

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nikkie · 03/07/2006 20:31

Oh yes a library!
And I always wanted two staircases!

FioFio · 03/07/2006 20:33

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Pruni · 03/07/2006 20:50

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