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House and home

The best house

(50 Posts)
absent Sun 24-Mar-13 09:49:01

There have been numerous references to jealousy among work colleagues of the "best house". I am rather too lazy to be jealous of anyone but I wonder what constitutes the best house. Is it size, age, style, location, decor, convenience, value or what?

bluebell Sun 24-Mar-13 09:51:23

None of the above - it's when it's a living home

bluebell Sun 24-Mar-13 09:52:09

Loving home - s*d predictive text

bluebell Sun 24-Mar-13 09:52:40

Suppose living and loving both make sense

absent Sun 24-Mar-13 09:53:05

Or both bluebell?

glammanana Sun 24-Mar-13 09:56:00

absent value and size have never come into it,I have never been jealous of anyone's property I have admired them but never hankered for the same. I think as long as you are happy where you are and your family are happy that will always be the "best house" a bit cheesy really but thats how I have always felt.
We are now in the "best house" for us our apartment which is not large by any means but I love it,love furnishing it to my taste and feel safe and comfortable plus the running cost's are so economical.

nanaej Sun 24-Mar-13 10:44:36

Agree that jealousy is a wasted emotion. I have always been fortunate to live in safe & comfortable homes, as a child and adult. I have met people who have been envious of homes I have lived in from our first rented place to the one we have now.. but I hope I am not 'judged' by my home or that I judge others based on where they live.
So many circumstances:luck, hard work,misfortune, serendipity play a part in the homes people have it is very shallow to think it reflects on the worth of the person/people who live in them.

Movedalot Sun 24-Mar-13 11:34:27

It is wherever we live because it is 'home'. As long as our children want to come and bring their wives, girlfriends and children then our home is the best house.

nanaej Sun 24-Mar-13 12:21:02

indeed moved It is not where I live that matters but who shares the home!

harrigran Sun 24-Mar-13 12:38:25

Home is where the heart is. I love mine because it is tailored to our needs.

nanaej Sun 24-Mar-13 13:11:16

Just to add a different note..My SiL who has been homeless and lived rough for a period, is very keen that his house is the 'best' and has all the latest styles & gadgets etc. For him, who had nothing, it is a sign of his worth: hard work, resourcefulness, skill (he has done loads of the work on the property!) & achievement.

No matter what we all say he still wants bigger and better! Luckily my DD is happy to let him choose the decor etc!

absent Sun 24-Mar-13 13:18:49

I can see that someone who is lonely or feels unloved might be envious of a house that is a home and at the heart of a family. So far, however, no one has come up with any suggestion about what is "so best" about a house that it makes so many people jealous.

Movedalot Sun 24-Mar-13 13:33:06

Bur absent why should we be jealous? Have I missed something? Is this a thread about a thread?

absent Sun 24-Mar-13 13:47:01

No. It's a query about a frequently made comment that refers to a lot of people being jealous of the "best house". I am hard-pushed to think of something that defines a house as being "the best" rather than the biggest, most expensive, most exclusive, etc. In other words, I don't understand this comment in the first place.

Ana Sun 24-Mar-13 13:49:56

The only thing I can think of which could qualify a house as being 'the best' would be its location, but then that's not the actual house, is it? confused

Eloethan Sun 24-Mar-13 13:53:20

I'm not jealous of other people's houses but that's not to say there aren't a lot of things I'd like to improve in our own house. I just wish I had more sense of style - I'm not good at getting a cohesive look.

annodomini Sun 24-Mar-13 14:05:21

For me the 'best' house would be one that absorbed clutter! What would improve mine would be a conservatory. I still miss the one I had built on my previous house which was perfect for sitting in the sun on a cool, bright day and for germinating seedlings.

Oldgreymare Sun 24-Mar-13 14:22:59

I'd like a house/ cottage with a coal fire and a proper chimney. No real focal point in this box!!! sad

Movedalot Sun 24-Mar-13 14:46:09

oldgrey Had one of those last time but it does mean you have to decorate more often! grin House had loads of character but drawbacks also.

Grannyeggs Sun 24-Mar-13 15:06:49

I agree with harrigran . We were out in the freezing cold today, came home to our little house and as soon as the door closed there was that wonderful feeling of familiarity, warmth and comfort, it isn't done up as in the magazines but it's ours and we love it.

kittylester Sun 24-Mar-13 15:27:54

I too agree with Harri. This is our house. It is too big for us really, it has draughts, has been known to leak (but we think we've stopped that now grin), needs decorating outside (does anyone know a good painter and decorator?) and we all love it! smile

absent Sun 24-Mar-13 15:51:27

A self-cleaning house would be a good one. grin

absent Sun 24-Mar-13 15:51:59

So long as it's not like those public loos that turn completely upside down.

Nelliemoser Sun 24-Mar-13 16:18:16

I like my home. I am sure it is not stylish by modern standards, interior design is not my strong point. It is modern enough to be well insulated though.

The sofa and chairs are far from being stylish but I can actually feel comfortable sitting in them without my back aching, which for me is very important and a rarity. Many places I visit I have to ask for a dining chair as the sofa seats are too long, too low and too soft.

What I cannot understand is the modern minimalist look so loved by a number of design magazines and "Grand Design" television programs. These always leave me wondering whether the occupants ever do anything at all at home but sit neatly in their chairs.
As for adverts such as "be the envy of your friends and neighbours" Why would you want to make people jealous of you!

Galen Sun 24-Mar-13 17:11:39

I love minimalist. This place however is anything but! It's cluttered and untidy and driving me mad. It's too big and impossible to keep warm. It's too expensive to run completely unsuitable for someone who's disabled.
Junk expands to fill the available space.
However I can't face moving!