Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

The title to my post was the name of a television show in the 1980s and 90s, hosted by Robin Leach, and it featured homes of wealthy entertainers, sports stars, business magnates, and royalty. I remember watching the show and wondering what it would be like to actually live in some of those spaces. So when I saw this week’s topic, my mind went to the estates shown on that show.   

Once again, our resident hound has presented us with a multi-pronged question. And, as has happened quite often lately, I’m thrust into a scenario I’ve never imagined. So I spent a few evenings pondering, before I dove in. Here’s the original prompt:

If you could spend one evening in a multi-millionaire’s home:
1. what’s the first thing you’d want to see?
2. what would you expect to find? NOT expect to find?
3. what could ruin that experience (of spending an evening in a millionaire’s home)? 

Here are my responses to each of those questions:

1. What’s the first thing I’d want to see?

• I’d look for signs of the kind of vibe the home gives off. Is it flamboyant, or restful? Wall colors and accents will often give me a clue. Lighter blues, greens and grays are calming, while bolder colors are more energizing. White is nice, but too much white gives me a feeling of coldness and sterility. Pillows and throw blankets would add color and comfort. And a little bit of clutter makes the home feel lived in.
• I’d look for things that tell me what the person is interested in. What does the person do for fun? What hobbies does he/she have? Are the walls and shelving covered with art done by someone else, or personalized with photographs?

2. What would I expect to find, or not?

• I’d expect to see trappings of wealth: a grand piano rather than an upright, for instance. Furniture in lighter colors, because a spill and stain would simply result in the furniture being replaced. Elegant and tasteful furnishings, hardwood and/or marble floors, plush rugs.
• An insight into the person’s interests, hobbies. Tasteful artwork, maybe a grand piano. 
• I’d expect that I wouldn’t see piles of stuff lying about. They’d probably have people around to pick things up, so I wouldn’t have to move things to find a place to sit. But as I noted in the previous section, I’d love to see a few things lying out, such as a book that’s currently being read, perhaps a puzzle or sewing/knitting project being worked on.

3. What could ruin that experience? 

• Rudeness, lack of empathy, manners, etc. I know that many people have a business persona and a personal one, and that some people are very different when they’re not at work. Presumably, people would be less formal and more like their true selves at home, and if I feel people are belittling me once they’re in the comfort of their own home, I’d definitely not want to repeat the experience.
• Lack of personality, no family closeness, no interests. I think focus is a good thing, but when someone has absolutely no life outside of work, or no curiosity about anything outside of their own sphere, then I feel sorry for that person for limiting themselves. Within most families, it’s not unusual to have people you don’t particularly get along with, but if I were to find that the millionaire has no close family, I’d start to wonder whether that person’s riches came at a cost to others. 

What would you expect from a visit to a millionaire’s home?

Advertisement