Home Improvement Mania/Obsession

[Elizabeth502]

Again, apparently either I can't communicate, or the problem does not exist in certain parts of the country or among others' circles of associates. Because, looking at the replies, my thread question is not ringing any bells here.

This isn't about whether "any good" can come from building and rebuilding. Nor about recycling. Nor about providing jobs for contractors. Nor about whether it is OK to want to improve one's house, keep it looking nice, attend to constant upkeep, and "build a nest."

It does appear, increasingly, that what I describe is either regional or limited to certain strata of wealth (or both).

It's about the infinite, year-round, comprehensive re-do of mansions, not fixer-uppers, not modest middle-class homes. Contractors in the house virtually every day but major holidays. Same residents, not new residents (no turnover). Calendaring contractors as a daily way of life when nothing visible or invisible justifies it.

I've probably exhausted my efforts, and that's OK. I know people were trying to join and share. I do appreciate that and thank all.

[LilyM]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

Again, apparently either I can't communicate, or the problem does not exist in certain parts of the country or among others' circles of associates. Because, looking at the replies, my thread question is not ringing any bells here.

This isn't about whether "any good" can come from building and rebuilding. Nor about recycling. Nor about providing jobs for contractors. Nor about whether it is OK to want to improve one's house, keep it looking nice, attend to constant upkeep, and "build a nest."

It does appear, increasingly, that what I describe is either regional or limited to certain strata of wealth (or both).

It's about the infinite, year-round, comprehensive re-do of mansions, not fixer-uppers, not modest middle-class homes. Contractors in the house virtually every day but major holidays. Same residents, not new residents (no turnover). Calendaring contractors as a daily way of life when nothing visible or invisible justifies it.

I've probably exhausted my efforts, and that's OK. I know people were trying to join and share. I do appreciate that and thank all.

I understand perfectly well. I just happen to strongly disagree with your view that there is nothing that justifies it. The fact that we don't agree with your opinion in the phenomenon does not mean we are unfamiliar with it.

I think giving employment to those contractors justifies it. I think giving pleasure to the planner justifies it. Maybe not completely - but we are not Puritans who are not allowed to do anything for mere pleasure.

The fact that it is a 'mansion' is neither here nor there. You seem resentful purely because of the size of the house. There is nothing wrong with living in or renovating a mansion. There is nothing wrong with making changes that are not strictly necessary either. Was it necessary for the Popes to build St Peters on the grandiose scale they did? To hire the (doubtless expensive) artists they did? To use the (definitely very expensive) materials they did? And then to go do the same with their own residence, the Vatican, as well? A place which was neither public nor a church? All the same arguments could be made about these buildings.

[CatholicSheila]

Originally Posted by sedonaman

Then there was the story of the couple who hated clutter. If they needed to hang a picture, they would buy a hammer and some nails [you can't buy just a nail], hang the picture, and throw away the hammer and left-over nails. If they needed drinking glasses, they would buy a pack of four [you can't buy just a glass], throw away two. Weird.

I don't see how it is weird. I live in a small one bedroom unit with absolutely no inbuilt storage. If I don't expect to need something regularly, then I hesitate to buy and save. If i can I'll borrow from a family member or friend but that often isn't possible or economical. It's cheaper for me to go buy a bag of nails than it is to drive to my brothers. If I need nails, then I buy a bag, use what I need then I throw what is left.

If I want storage I have to pay for it. Sometimes it just isn't worth the cost.

[Irishmom2]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

It's sad to me that they never seem to be able to just enjoy their houses. (I wouldn't be able to, with workmen always around! ) But more than that, it seems like such an empty occupation to be forever gilding the lily, and speaks possibly to a kind of empty materialism?

But maybe that is how they enjoy their house? Some people really like doing things around their house. For them, it is their way of being creative, or "expressing" themselves.
I have to disagree that it is "such an empty occupation to be forever guilding the lily." What is wrong about trying to create something they see as beautiful? After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some people like to get their hair cut every two weeks and sit for hours in the spa getting their nails done. It's not my thing. It's boring. I would rather watch the paint dry in my fresshly painted dining room. But it doesn't bother me that other people want to go do that if they can afford it, and I certainly wouldn't label what they are doing "empty" just because it does not appeal to me.

Just saying.

[Elizabeth502]

Originally Posted by Irishmom2

But maybe that is how they enjoy their house? Some people really like doing things around their house. For them, it is their way of being creative, or "expressing" themselves.
I have to disagree that it is "such an empty occupation to be forever guilding the lily." What is wrong about trying to create something they see as beautiful? After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Some people like to get their hair cut every two weeks and sit for hours in the spa getting their nails done. It's not my thing. It's boring. I would rather watch the paint dry in my fresshly painted dining room. But it doesn't bother me that other people want to go do that if they can afford it, and I certainly wouldn't label what they are doing "empty" just because it does not appeal to me.

Just saying.

And I'm just saying that you have clearly completely missed my point. I didn't say anything about regular spruce-ups for heaven's sake. Please reread all of my posts on this thread if you do want to understand what I actualy said. It's about a 24/7/365 "in-progress" house which was bought as a complete, beautiful, intact mansion. Structurally, aesthetically, in every way. Except that the mansion is never fiinished, never at rest. And I'm not talking about maintenance. Nor "face-lifts" and "cosmetics" such as regular paint jobs, etc. That's a normal part of owning a home.

If I bought a beautiful, luxury car with NO REPAIR NEEDS (except for regular maintenance), and I kept having the car rebuilt, you would think I Had a Problem or else not enough to do with my life, if I kept bringing said luxury car in for a comprehensive do-over every week or so, when it wasn't broken, didn't need fixing, was spectacular inside and outside, was the envy of the neighborhood, etc..

To a person, virtually every contributor to this thread is responding to something I never brought up, answering a question which was never asked.

[pnewton]

For me, it is a little bit of a hobby, a little bit of necessity, but then I do my own work, even though I am not skilled. In today's world, a person can learn to do almost anything. Now, as part of my hobby, I try to think in terms of adding value to my home greater than I spend, but I know that is just part of it.

[Irishmom2]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth502

And I'm just saying that you have clearly completely missed my point. I didn't say anything about regular spruce-ups for heaven's sake. Please reread all of my posts on this thread if you do want to understand what I actualy said. It's about a 24/7/365 "in-progress" house which was bought as a complete, beautiful, intact mansion. Structurally, aesthetically, in every way. Except that the mansion is never fiinished, never at rest. And I'm not talking about maintenance. Nor "face-lifts" and "cosmetics" such as regular paint jobs, etc. That's a normal part of owning a home.

If I bought a beautiful, luxury car with NO REPAIR NEEDS (except for regular maintenance), and I kept having the car rebuilt, you would think I Had a Problem or else not enough to do with my life, if I kept bringing said luxury car in for a comprehensive do-over every week or so, when it wasn't broken, didn't need fixing, was spectacular inside and outside, was the envy of the neighborhood, etc..

To a person, virtually every contributor to this thread is responding to something I never brought up, answering a question which was never asked.

I actually DID read read all of the posts and it is you that have completely missed MY point. I said nothing about them doing regualr maintenance and everything about them doing what they want to do to their house because they prefer it to look a certain way whether you think it is esthetically fine the way it is or not, for heaven's sake.

The fact that you say every person that contributed to this thread did not address your original question, I will say that they have, you just do not like our answer. You are upset that no one agreed with your post, which actually sounds petty and envious. I fail to see how or why it bothers you what they do at their house.

[manualman]

E, if it makes you feel better then I'll admit that I think the people you are observing are nutcases. But at least they are nutcases doing something that employs people and spreads their obviously excessive wealth around. I reserve my umbrage for worse sorts of nutcases!

[jeannetherese]

Possibly a case of "I consume, therefore I am?"
Not having witnessed the situation, I am limited to conjecture. My basis for comparison is those who are continuously shopping and self identify/validate according to branding.