Round and Round we Go

As I was shopping for a Washer and Dryer recently I had a flash of deja vu.

It stuck me how fashion goes round and round. Way back in the 40's and 50's appliances were White. Since having "real" appliances - replacing the "Ice Box" or "Coal Stove" was enough of a treat - no one was concerned about color.

But awhile later, (in the 60's ) it was not enough just to have appliances. You had to get the new fashionable colored appliances. All the new homes came with Coppertone, Avocado Green, or Harvest Gold - no one would want "Old Fashioned White".

Then a little time passed and the "New" color was "Almond" and you no longer saw any Coppertone, Green or Gold.

Well, shortly thereafter the "New" look was - of all things "White". To give you a choice there was also Black or Stainless Steel, but for the most part all the appliances were back to White.

So I was surprised and amused to find that there are "New" "Hot" colors - Cherry Red and Blueberry. And not only are there NEW colors, the machines have "Features" that are so high tech, you may need to attend a class to understand how to use them.

There was a setting that would sterilize your clothes in the event of a Cholera outbreak. And the dryer would continue to recirculate your clothes and buzz every few minutes to prevent wrinkling. Until you give in (or return home) and remove them.

Since the main function of these machines [which are usually kept behind closed doors] is to get your clothes clean and dry, I think the logic of spending thousands of dollars to get these extraordinary features and colors was wasted on me. If I'm going to pay a premium, the feature I want is to have the clothes put back neatly folded or hung up in my closet.

This post may not have as much to do with Home Decorating as it does airing my views on the absurdity of having "Fashion Colors" and "High Tech" in an area that should be "Sturdy, Functional and Out of Sight".

OK so now You have a "Box"

After touring the Model Homes, I'd inevitably be tempted to buy one. I could definitely see myself living there.

Clean, organized, all new appliances and furnishings. Everything matching and creating a "Total Look" - "A Feeling" that was an illusion of the "Perfect Home"

There would be a Price Sheet showing the cost for each Model. OK
Cleverly they would break it down to an estimated monthly payment. OK

then comes the kicker....

You want those cabinets? Well that's an extra $$$
That flooring? Well that's an extra $$$
Those appliances are an upgrade $$$
The skylight $$$
The fireplace $$$

Well now the amount has increased considerably. Assuming you can still afford to buy it....

What do you have when you move in?? An empty "BOX" - now you need window treatments, furniture, linens, accessories, etc.

And after paying the mortgage payment, the utility payments, and all the household expenses, You can't afford a Decorator.

Wow, what a come down... This house doesn't look anything like that Model!! - by the way, if you are at this point and want some inexpensive help- go to: http://taxgrammy.ayidbooks.hop.clickbank.net/

Sometimes you have some furniture or household items from a previous home. So you bring that in and fill in around them. Again it's not the "Model Home" that enticed you to buy.

Well at least that's the way I felt.....

Model Homes - Revisited

When I first began Touring Model Homes, there were four basic house types. Each builder might have a slight variation of these.

The first was the "Ranch" (bearing no resemblance to an actual "ranch" - since it was set on a piece of property slightly larger than the house itself) This type was the single story model. Usually the bedrooms were at one end and the living area was at the other end. The shape could be straight across, L-shaped or U-shaped.

The second was the "Colonial". This type was a two story which had the main living area = kitchen, living room and dining room on the main floor and the second story had the bedrooms. There would be a bathroom on one or both levels.

The third was the "Split Level". This type had a ground level with an attached garage. On this level there would be a Family Room -perhaps a bathroom and an additional room that could be a bedroom.
There would be a few steps and a partial level that had the kitchen and "Living Room"(which was a more formal seating area ) and a Dining Room.
Then up a few more steps would be the bedrooms and bathroom(s).

The fourth type was a variation of the Split called a "Raised Ranch" (In my opinion the ugliest - and most annoying type). The garage would be below the actual entrance to the house. It would appear that the house was on a hill. You would have to go up a flight of steps to get to the front door. Upon entering, you walked into another stairway. You could go down to the lower level - which was again a Family Room - One or more Bedrooms and a Bathroom.
If you went up the stairs - that would lead to the Kitchen, Living Room, Dining Room and more Bedrooms and Bathrooms.
My biggest dislike of this model -is that you cannot get to the main area of the house without climbing stairs (whether you enter from the front door or the garage)

For many years, these were the types used - Of course there were variations on exterior finishes, interior finishes, flooring choices, the number of bedrooms, maybe a "Breakfast Nook", fireplace, patio, and several other "Extras". But the same four types was used over and over.

Then a few years ago Builders starting mass producing what would have to be classified as "Mini Mansions". They were always two Main Stories (and in New Jersey where I lived a Basement Level Finished - with separate rooms, carpet, bathroom, appliances - that could itself house a small village of refugees)

These "Homes" would have : huge entry areas, extra high ceilings, extra large rooms, Extra Rooms such as a Library, a Guest Bedroom w/Bath, a Garden Room, a Game Room, at lease four normal sized bedrooms, a Master Suite which was the master bedroom with a sitting room, a huge walk-in closet perhaps a his and her bath.
Because of the enormous size - it would be necessary to have an intercom installed to communicate with the family members in the various locations in the "Home".

These were an absolute JOY to tour (as long as you took a map with you). Because in addition to being large and having different layouts, they were Creatively decorated - with exquisite accessories, colors, furniture and finishes. Wow! There were many I didn't want to leave. I would continue to walk through looking and admiring until either my companion would drag me out or the guard would "politely" tell me they were closing.

I have taken many pictures of Model Homes I liked and if I can figure out how to get them onto my Blog, I will include them.

Enough for now....

First Secret of Decorating

First Secret of Decorating:

SIZE DOES MATTER !

Before starting any decorating project

MEASURE !

Having the correct measurements will save you TIME, MONEY and DISAPPOINTMENT.

Nothing is worse than getting into a project and finding you didn't get enough of the materials (paint, carpet, fabric, etc) to complete the job and having to stop and get more - or WORSE finding out it's been discontinued or out of stock!

Or the stuff doesn't fit the place you're putting it, or you can't open or close a door, or it blocks the only window in the room, or you can't get it into the room. Are you getting the idea?

It only takes a few minutes and an inexpensive measuring tape to avoid those and other problems.


When measuring, there are a few things to remember:

• Get accurate numbers - For large areas, have someone help by holding one end of the measuring tape

• Take note of any door openings. You have to allow for clearance of door swings

• Take note of window heights. measure from floor to window bottom .

• If there are any furniture items already in the room, measure them.

• Measure floor to ceiling - as well as corner to corner for projects involving painting or wallpapering.

• In addition to writing down the measurements, it helps to sketch the area, noting any architectural items: windows, doors, built-ins.

• When measuring for window treatments, Measure the inside window opening and the whole window including the surrounding molding.

• Note the doorway opening (height and width) to be sure large or odd shaped items can be brought in.

Good luck with your project!
Rosemarie Zera
The Model Home Addict


If you'd like to learn more about Decorating and make your Home look really WOW! Check out:
"The Secrets to Home Decorating Success"

Confessions of a Model Home Addict

It started about 30 years ago. There was a development of new houses being built and "Model Homes" were advertised. I went to look - being newly married and on a limited budget they were out of my price range but it was FREE to LOOK.

Well I got hooked. Walking through the rooms with new furniture and appliances, expertly decorated - I could pretend I lived there - at least for a little while.

But then I had to go back to my small, old house - what a come down.

But then the following week, I'd go again . I'd watch for ads for new Models in other areas. I thought that was the greatest past time. It was amazing how the different combinations of furniture and accessories and colors could totally change the "feel" of an otherwise humdrum "box"(my terminology for the stripped down empty house).

Sometimes I'd copy the decorating ideas I'd seen. Of course a much more limited version.

I'd try to hook my family members into going "model home shopping" but they didn't seem to find it enjoyable and often rebelled. But I was addicted. I could not stand to see a "Model Home" sign without feeling the urge to go and look.

Even today, so many years later, I still salivate at the sight of a "Model Home" sign and I'll even stoop to lying that I'm interested in buying one and giving a false name and address when asked - just to get to LOOK!!

Rosemarie Zera
The Model Home Addict