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But Where Will the Butler Live?
"Butler Academy" To Open In New York

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Wenceslaus
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
I am pleased to say that I don't even know what a butler's pantry is. #thewaywelivenow
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Poop Cooper
11/13/09

@Wenceslaus: I'm pretty sure I might be living in one. #recessionomics
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Rozelle’s Bagman
11/13/09

@Poop Cooper: It's like a rabbit warren, with ice trays. #recessionomics
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momof3wildkids
11/13/09

@Wenceslaus: I have one (without the butler, natch) and I love it. Not much different than a china cabinet, except it is permanent. #recessionomics
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AzureTexan
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
I once lived in a McShanty.

I upgraded to a McShack.

Now here I am, in the McHovel I've always dreamed of. #thewaywelivenow
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joeyjoey73
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
i'm all for living in a manageable amount of space, but formica countertops and fiberglass showers are just whack. plus those upgrades are totally worth the investment. it's all about the kitchen and bathrooms at resale time... #thewaywelivenow
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misslinda
11/13/09

@joeyjoey73: Have you been watching HGTV for the past 5 years? "She's a secretary and he's a used car salesman. They're looking to buy their first home in the suburbs of Philadelphia. With a $550,000 budget, they're looking for a 5 bedroom, 3 bath traditional with a bonus room." The teevee has everyone convinced that they are entitled to granite countertops and bonus rooms (which, BTW, used to be called "dens"). Wake up everyone, when you are solidly middle class, your shower is going to have a fiberglass enclosure and your kitchen is going to have a formica countertop and faux ceramic tile floors. #thewaywelivenow
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WayDownRiver
11/13/09

@joeyjoey73: And granite countertops? Even worse than Formica (some of which is pretty cool). Granite is the ultimate tacky choice for brainless moneyed homeowners. #thewaywelivenow
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res ipsa pasta
11/13/09

@WayDownRiver: Concrete is the new granite. #recessionomics
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misslinda
11/13/09

@res ipsa pasta: Hmmm...I wouldn't get granite or concrete for any kitchen you plan to cook in--they stain. My dining room table is concrete. Any drop of oil or wine or anything leaves a stain, even though we seal it periodically. Granite and marble have the same problem. Also they can crack if not installed properly (which you'll never know til years later). #recessionomics
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Tchotchke
11/13/09

@misslinda: After growing up in close proximity to Deal, NJ, I was led to believe that I was entitled to a replica of Versailles or an Adobe Pueblo complete with a moat. #recessionomics
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NightElfMohawk
11/13/09

@misslinda: I'm just going to go with wood or tile. Or something from Ikea, because it'll be cheap and replaceable. #recessionomics
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misslinda
11/13/09

@NightElfMohawk: Silestone. It's crunched up and compressed glass and stone held together by a magical glue. You can slice on it and it doesn't scratch, you can put a hot pan on it and it doesn't burn, nothing can penetrate it so it doesn't stain, and it cleans with a simple wipe of the sponge. Comes in like a gazillion colors. #recessionomics
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triplethreat
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
I think you mean "buyers." #thewaywelivenow
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buda
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
Peak oil will solve American's orgiastic desire to fill space. Most McMansions will house three or four families, and even then they will be unable to heat these houses beyond 60 degrees in winter.

Farmland will be worth many times what it is worth now. But nobody gives a damn now. They would rather have a bathroom big enough for a sofa and TV. #thewaywelivenow
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BettyCrocker
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
My parents' house has a butler's pantry, and if I had a nickel for every time my father lurched out of it into the dining room with a chicken on a tray like Lurch (You rang?), my house would have one too. They're fun and cool but not necessary. #thewaywelivenow
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Adah
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
The worst McMansion I ever saw had a gargoyle roof ornamentation. I have never before or since wanted to egg a house that badly. #thewaywelivenow
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Magister
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
If the publicly-traded companies who used to specialize in large, luxury homes are now building things at or below the national square foot average, then what's going to happen to that average?

If they continue down that road, then soon, a lot more people will be living in above-average homes. #thewaywelivenow
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CByronB
11/13/09

@Magister: You have a funny way with math. #thewaywelivenow
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Magister promoted this comment CByronB was starred CByronB was unstarred

Magister
11/13/09

@CByronB: Thanks.

Though, if according to the article, the average new home was 2507 sqft in 2007 and now it's down to 2392, and if new home sales are less than half of what they were in 2005, then it goes to reason that it won't be long until "a lot more" of the people owning a home less than ten years old will be living in something larger than the national new home average.
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Edited by Magister at 11/13/09 11:09 AM Magister was starred Magister was unstarred

misslinda
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
When I renovated my kitchen I put in a small under the counter wine fridge because why the hell not. What I didn't factor in is that wine doesn't last very long in my household, plus we have a strong preference for the red gwape which doesn't get chilled. But, cereal boxes fit really nicely on the shelves, so I guess it all worked out for the best. #thewaywelivenow
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triplethreat
11/13/09

@misslinda: You just lived "Revolutionary Road." #thewaywelivenow
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misslinda
11/13/09

@triplethreat: Never seen it but will put it on my to-do list. #thewaywelivenow
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NYM
11/13/09

@misslinda: Only see it if you want to feel like slitting your wrists. #thewaywelivenow
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misslinda
11/13/09

@NYM: I do! I really do! #thewaywelivenow
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CByronB
11/13/09

@misslinda: Not so fast, Miss Linda! 55 degrees (F) is considered an ideal storage temperature for red wines. #thewaywelivenow
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misslinda
11/13/09

@CByronB: The wine tends to be stored in my gullet. #recessionomics
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momof3wildkids
11/13/09

@misslinda: Why don't you get a Red Sancerre for your wine fridge? It is a red you drink chilled. It will help make you feel like you didn't waste that space. #recessionomics
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misslinda
11/13/09

@momof3wildkids: What kind of Manhattanite would I be if I was wasting precious space? I use it to store cereal. At first glance it looks all fancy, and then guests are all "oooh! You have a wine fridge...wait, is that Cap'n Crunch?" #recessionomics
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momof3wildkids
11/13/09

@misslinda: If you were really concerned about storage, you'd use Cap'n Crunch as a mouse pad and save the precious space to chill wine for wine, as God and your kitchen planner intended. :) #recessionomics
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misslinda
11/13/09

@momof3wildkids: Kitchen planner? Girl please, kitchen planners are for New Yorkers who don't know how to cook. If you actually use your kitchen you know where to put everything and you know what's important--extra deep double undermount sink, tiles on the floor that don't stain or crack when you drop a jar of pasta sauce, top cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling for extra storage, and most importantly (and this is the thing most people forget so listen up) prep space on BOTH sides of the stove. I can't tell you how many ninnies don't have counter space on both sides of the stove. It's just stupid. Move your stoves away from the wall and add at least 8" of countertop. Your welcome. #recessionomics
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momof3wildkids
11/13/09

@misslinda: Stove? NYers cook? I thought they just did take out in the microwave. #recessionomics
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triplethreat
11/13/09

@NYM: I was about to say the book is less depressing but I never saw the movie. #recessionomics
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misslinda
11/13/09

@momof3wildkids: That's either a myth or we're oddballs. We cook or grill at least 5 nights a week. Last night was fish tacos, tonight is NY strip steak on the BBQ with a side of roasted acorn squash and steamed green beans, then tomorrow I'm making eggplant parm. #recessionomics
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nirreskeya
11/14/09

@triplethreat: The movie is American Beauty, but without pulling any punches. It kicked my ass. #recessionomics
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skt.smth
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
I think that America's biggest curse--as housing and sprawl are concerned--is geography. In countries like Japan and Korea, they simply don't have the option to live in McMansions. There isn't enough space for it. In fact, it seems that a lot of our materialism is fueled by the desire to fill space. We will never moderate these desires until we're forced by geography to do so. #thewaywelivenow
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ManchuCandidate
11/13/09

@skt.smth:
It's not geography that's going to moderate/stop McMansions It's going to be the price of oil/gasoline. #thewaywelivenow
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skt.smth promoted this comment ManchuCandidate was starred ManchuCandidate was unstarred

skt.smth
11/13/09

@ManchuCandidate: Naw. Real alternative fuel sources will be here before there's a mass exodus from 'burbs/small towns. #thewaywelivenow
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KikiCanuck
11/13/09

In reply to But Where Will the Butler Live?
Sheesh. When will the suburbanites learn? It's not how big your house is, its how you use the space! #thewaywelivenow
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If_I_Had_a_Poodle promoted this comment KikiCanuck was starred KikiCanuck was unstarred

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"Butler Academy" To Open In New York

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