Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Share #1 Posted November 1, 2018 This site by an architect puts into words what you can innately sense when looking at something, but haven't been able to fully put your finger on or maybe describe to someone else. http://mcmansionhell.com/post/148605513816/mcmansions-101-what-makes-a-mcmansion-bad http://mcmansionhell.com/post/179630788531/50-states-of-mcmansion-ℌ???-king-county The commentary on the pics is hilarious, and it was fun digging around on the site. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted November 1, 2018 Share #2 Posted November 1, 2018 ...I live in a 'hood where all the 50's California Ranch houses are slowly but surely being remodeled into McMansions by adding a second story and other heinous acts of architorture. Some of them are genuinely painful to look at. I guess the people who build and live in them like them, but it would be hard to come home to one every day. (Even if they had casement windows.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #3 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope. I own a daylight basement home. Looks tiny from the street. Probably more than what my wife and I need and we'll downsize at some point but happy to own it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted November 1, 2018 24 minutes ago, Dottles said: I own a daylight basement home. I have never heard this term before, what does it mean? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #5 Posted November 1, 2018 It means from the front it looks like a rambler but from the back it's two stories and you can enter on the basement floor. Basically built on a slope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #6 Posted November 1, 2018 I live in one of the last modest houses in a suburb that is now loaded with McMansions and soccer moms and SUVs and black labs. Seems like everything built after aboot 1990 is either gargantuan or a townhouse. Nothing in between. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted November 1, 2018 Share #7 Posted November 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Dottles said: It means from the front it looks like a rambler but from the back it's two stories and you can enter on the basement floor. Basically built on a slope. We call that a walkout basement around here. That's kinda what I have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BR46 Posted November 1, 2018 Share #8 Posted November 1, 2018 I live in a small little house built in the 1800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #9 Posted November 1, 2018 No. Brick colonial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgun Posted November 1, 2018 Share #10 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope. 1960's brick ranch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #11 Posted November 1, 2018 "Luxury" Condo That is why the board had to take measures to get the flag that was pinned up in the lobby taken down...Looked like a guys college dorm...besides RG you have seen my place. Low end Condo..never gonna hit luxury Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted November 1, 2018 Share #12 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope. We live in a 1948 cape cod built by some rich guy as a weekend trout fishing second home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 1, 2018 Share #13 Posted November 1, 2018 We live in a tent? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris... Posted November 1, 2018 Share #14 Posted November 1, 2018 No and I think they look hideous 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtyhip Posted November 1, 2018 Share #15 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope. We have a very small craftsman. It was built in 1924. Nothing special about it. The coolest thing is the badass garage with matching corbels and a matching red metal roof. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrAzY Posted November 1, 2018 Share #16 Posted November 1, 2018 I live in a big ass house not by choice, but because it had a yard for my dogs. The wife liked the house because it had two extra room for when family came. Personally I'm good with a 300sqft home in the middle of nowhere, but she said no. I hate city living. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizeye Posted November 1, 2018 Share #17 Posted November 1, 2018 No, but I ,will gladly sell you one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffJim Posted November 1, 2018 Share #18 Posted November 1, 2018 If I lived in a McMansion, I wouldn't associate with you and your ilk. I live in a 1970's split level. It has decent room, but the way it's laid out, it's hard to take good advantage of it. You can't have two TV's on at the same time, because they compete with each other. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #19 Posted November 1, 2018 I think the point of McMansions is being missed in the blog. McMansions are really about what is INSIDE that counts and is appreciated. Nice kitchens, nice bathrooms, large bedrooms, high ceilings, home theater, finished basements, etc.. All the stuff you can get in "normal" older homes - with renovations - or out of the box with a McMansion. I also think calling any of these homes "mansion" of any sort leads me to think folks have never been to a mansion. Think Biltmore or Hearst Castle or some of those old Newport homes. Growing up, we had a few neighbors with true "mansions", and they were more in line with British country estates than anything remotely similar to a McMansion, although, at least one of those estates was sold, broken up, and replaced with a mini-neighborhood of McMansions. And, what's up with this???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySTL ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #20 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope. Just a plain old 4-bedroom, 2-story home in what used to be the 'burbs but the city grew around us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted November 1, 2018 Share #21 Posted November 1, 2018 Nope, a condo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted November 1, 2018 Share #22 Posted November 1, 2018 3 hours ago, shotgun said: Nope. 1960's brick ranch. Same here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #23 Posted November 1, 2018 29 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: I think the point of McMansions is being missed in the blog. McMansions are really about what is INSIDE that counts and is appreciated. Nice kitchens, nice bathrooms, large bedrooms, high ceilings, home theater, finished basements, etc.. All the stuff you can get in "normal" older homes - with renovations - or out of the box with a McMansion. I also think calling any of these homes "mansion" of any sort leads me to think folks have never been to a mansion. Think Biltmore or Hearst Castle or some of those old Newport homes. Growing up, we had a few neighbors with true "mansions", and they were more in line with British country estates than anything remotely similar to a McMansion, although, at least one of those estates was sold, broken up, and replaced with a mini-neighborhood of McMansions. And, what's up with this???? I think there is a difference between just a modern home and a McMansion, mostly that McMansions destroy most traditional aspects of architectural standards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #24 Posted November 1, 2018 I finally read the links about the McMansions. That guy sounds a bit jealous to me. I think the houses he hates because they don’t follow the rules are cool. But I never was one to like arbitrary rules. I’ll try to remember to take a picture of the latest Amish McMansions on my road. My next door neighbor Andy told me this was the largest house he had ever worked on and he had worked on hundreds of houses both Amish and English. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #25 Posted November 1, 2018 53 minutes ago, Prophet Zacharia said: I think there is a difference between just a modern home and a McMansion, mostly that McMansions destroy most traditional aspects of architectural standards. Clearly, there are new homes of all sizes and shapes. And clearly there are new homes of all types and styles. Some of those new homes are ugly as sin, and some are beautifully designed. I have yet to see a connection between size and beauty. So, McMansions or McShacks essentially mean nothing regarding aesthetics. I guess I always considered the "Mc" prefix as a designation that these new larger homes were either cookie cutter and/or available to non-rich folks (vs mansions which are generally one off and for the 1%-ers). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #26 Posted November 1, 2018 51 minutes ago, Longjohn said: he had worked on hundreds of houses both Amish and English. The dude should branch out to American homes as well! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #27 Posted November 1, 2018 The dude is a chick. You guys are slow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
late Posted November 1, 2018 Share #28 Posted November 1, 2018 Don't really care what most architects think... I appraised one home, in Conn, that was done by an architect. It was boxy on the outside, but that was just the beginning. The living space inside was awkward, and there was a weird bit in the contract that the interior color scheme couldn't be changed. It was bland to the point of being hostile and prison-like and the owners had taken to throwing wildly colored pillows and rugs to get a little color where they lived. It was awful. My concern is does it make a good home. I've seen big places fail at that, and one tiny place that punched way above it's weight class. However, I don't like McMansions. I don't like pretentious buildings on small lots. They look absurd. I don't like gated communities. You might need to read some Jane Jacobs to understand fully why that is a long term road to failure for an area. They try to make it look like your wealthy, while what they really do is scream that you are not. https://www.amazon.com/Cities-Wealth-Nations-Principles-Economic-ebook/dp/B01IZTCFNM/ref=sr_1_12?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541083776&sr=1-12&keywords=jane+jacobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #29 Posted November 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, Randomguy said: The dude is a chick. You guys are slow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #30 Posted November 1, 2018 I do think they look busy, like they are trying to do too much and to be things that they are not. The bad ones, as pointed out, are truly hideous or at least very wrong. The obvious nastiness is weird, and they seem a bit poserish. I hate columns, too, they make it look like you have the sophistication and taste of a young Mike Tyson, but without the millions (when he had millions). Would I live in one? Sure, if the price was really right and if I could get past the outside. It would be hard to buy one, though, but maybe because I like the older houses better. The commentary is hilarious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #31 Posted November 1, 2018 16 minutes ago, Randomguy said: Sure, if the price was really right and if I could get past the outside. Sadly, so many folks come and go via their garage and are never seen out and about in their yards. It is all about what is INSIDE these days, so many folks really couldn't care less if they have too many fake columns or a clumsy bump-out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #32 Posted November 1, 2018 1 hour ago, Razors Edge said: So, McMansions or McShacks essentially mean nothing regarding aesthetics. Did you skip your coffee this morning? Mc·Man·sion /məkˈmanSH(ə)n/ noun a large modern house that is considered ostentatious and lacking in architectural integrity. In suburban communities, McMansion is a pejorative term for a large "mass-produced" dwelling, constructed with low-quality materials and craftsmanship, using a mishmash of architectural symbols to invoke connotations of wealth or taste, executed via poorly thought-out exterior and interior design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #33 Posted November 1, 2018 You know what is really weird? I kind of care about what the house looks like, but don't give a shit about the yard. I see no benefit to doing yardwork at all. It is just drudgery that produces little. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #34 Posted November 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, Randomguy said: You know what is really weird? I kind of care about what the house looks like, but don't give a shit about the yard. I see no benefit to doing yardwork at all. It is just drudgery that produces little. I’ve always seen you as an apartment dweller. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted November 1, 2018 Share #35 Posted November 1, 2018 18 minutes ago, Randomguy said: I see no benefit to doing yardwork at all. It is just drudgery that produces little. ...I will think about you, and how sad I am for you, while I am drinking all my freshly squeezed orange juice and tangelo juice this winter. There's more to landscaping than lawns and shrubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #36 Posted November 1, 2018 In the day I sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream At night I ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #37 Posted November 1, 2018 9 minutes ago, jsharr said: In the day I sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream At night I ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines Wendy? Let me in, I wanna be your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #38 Posted November 1, 2018 1 minute ago, Prophet Zacharia said: Wendy? Let me in, I wanna be your friend. Do you want to share my dreams and visions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #39 Posted November 1, 2018 27 minutes ago, No One said: ...I will think about you, and how sad I am for you, while I am drinking all my freshly squeezed orange juice and tangelo juice this winter. There's more to landscaping than lawns and shrubs. That sounds horrible! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted November 1, 2018 Share #40 Posted November 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, Randomguy said: That sounds horrible! ...but someone has to do it. I just spent the last two days pruning, on and off. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parodybot Posted November 1, 2018 Share #41 Posted November 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, No One said: ...but someone has to do it. I just spent the last two days pruning, on and off. I understand pruning off, but how do you prune a branch back on? Would that not be grafting, not pruning? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #42 Posted November 1, 2018 28 minutes ago, Randomguy said: That sounds horrible! Sounds like the start of a cocktail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted November 1, 2018 Share #43 Posted November 1, 2018 45 minutes ago, jsharr said: Do you want to share my dreams and visions? All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted November 1, 2018 Share #44 Posted November 1, 2018 27 minutes ago, parodybot said: I understand pruning off, but how do you prune a branch back on? Would that not be grafting, not pruning? ...this inquiry should go in the Oxford comma thread. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parodybot Posted November 1, 2018 Share #45 Posted November 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, No One said: ...this inquiry should go in the Oxford comma thread. https://www.fosterwebmarketing.com/blog/punctuation-pitfalls-time-to-prune-the-excess-commas-.cfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Page Turner Posted November 1, 2018 Share #46 Posted November 1, 2018 12 minutes ago, parodybot said: Resist the Urge to Overstuff Your Professional Website With Too Many Commas ...I am insulted. I am fully retired, and you calling me a professional is an affront to common decency. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted November 1, 2018 Share #47 Posted November 1, 2018 3 hours ago, Longjohn said: I finally read the links about the McMansions. That guy sounds a bit jealous to me. I think the houses he hates because they don’t follow the rules are cool. But I never was one to like arbitrary rules. I’ll try to remember to take a picture of the latest Amish McMansions on my road. My next door neighbor Andy told me this was the largest house he had ever worked on and he had worked on hundreds of houses both Amish and English. Those suckers can grow. Son gets married - add more rooms for his family. Second son gets married - add more rooms for his family. Grandma dies - remodel her wing for the next son's family.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #48 Posted November 1, 2018 2 hours ago, Prophet Zacharia said: considered ostentatious and lacking in architectural integrity. Oh, so if I claim it is ostentatious and lacking integrity, that means it is a McMansion. I like this power!!!! I'm gonna apply it all over the place - starting first with this architecturally suspect piece of ostentatious nonsense!!!: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share #49 Posted November 1, 2018 5 minutes ago, Razors Edge said: Oh, so if I claim it is ostentatious and lacking integrity, that means it is a McMansion. I like this power!!!! I'm gonna apply it all over the place - starting first with this architecturally suspect piece of ostentatious nonsense!!!: The Brady house was much bigger inside, as is proper. And it was designed by a real architect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted November 1, 2018 Share #50 Posted November 1, 2018 2 minutes ago, Randomguy said: The Brady house was much bigger inside, as is proper. And it was designed by a real architect. HOGWASH! And it only looks reasonable because the neighbor's house was even worse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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