Do Not Sit

This is really interesting. I would think that in the UK any contemporary version of the Victorian parlour is probably a reflection of some sort of status achievement. How long has it been that a working class family could afford a house that even had a "front" room? Could it be some sort of unacknowledged glance at the way the privileged lived in the past?

Most homes I've been into in the US and Canada are different. When you walk through the front door you're in the home, not shepherded by the design into various areas. In my own house here the visitor comes into a small hallway (very much in the UK tradition) and can either go through into the family room or to the left to a lounge room, both are not formal. In a house I built the front door led to a long passageway through which you passed a study and through the formal dining room and formal lounge room to get to the kitchen and family and family meals area (a contemporary Australian design approach).

As for "don't go" places. My study and my book area.

[foofoo stripper]

I do have a room like that. Only use it when I have a party.

[Imladris]

My Nan and Grandad had a front room that was only used at Christmas or if lots of family were round. The living/dining room that was used every day was the one by the kitchen with the open fire - much more cosy.

At Christmas the front room would be taken over by the grandchildren and have lots of beer and soft drinks stored there. Great times.

[Bryn Mawr]

Originally Posted by spot

That is exactly, to the last detail, how my grandparents lived. I don't think I ever went through their front door even once. None of the furniture would be considered expensive now, and there were no units, but it was all beaten, dusted and polished every week even though nobody went in there inbetween times.

It was the way with that generation - maybe if the vicar came to vist but normally only for weddings and funerals.

[Ciao, Bella!]

I have a very stuckup cousin, who married a man who is even more stuckup! They built a Victorian style home, and do not invite anyone over, even their parents.

Cherry flooring means they do not use the front door, and the formal dining room is permanently set for a party. Antiques are the order of the day, and they bought one of those clocks that rearranges itself every hour.

They make sure you know what they have. A Kubota mower. An inground pool. No one tries to outdo them, yet there some of us who can, as in myself and DH, what with living overseas for ten years, and collecting artwork as souvenirs. But, it's none of their business.

They are so deeply in debt, the rest of the family just shakes their heads.

[cinamin]

Back in the early 70's my mother decorated the front living room with brown and black and white colors and white shag carpeting. It was rarely used. But I still love shag carpeting.

[Ciao, Bella!]

Originally Posted by cinamin

Back in the early 70's my mother decorated the front living room with brown and black and white colors and white shag carpeting. It was rarely used. But I still love shag carpeting.

I remember shag carpet! We had hardwood floors, thankfully. I can't stand wall to wall, shag or not! (Area rugs are different.)

We discovered over the summer our master bedroom at one time had pea green walls, and dark brown shag carpet.