I love seeing the inside of someone else’s house for the first time. I like to see what color their walls are painted, if they have any artwork or plants, what their furniture is like, if they have a library… how organized their house is, and so on…
Is this an “architect-thing” or a human curiosity thing? Do you notice anything in particular when you visit someone else’s house for the first time?
Hi! I'm Kim, a 34-year-old living in Chicagoland with my husband, Steven, and our cats, Khali, Apollo, and Starbuck. I work in the design industry (architecture), follow a vegan lifestyle, am addicted to running, and am an ACE certified personal trainer (working at Essential Fitness, LLC ("Efit"))! I write about a variety of topics, and consider this a "life" blog - a place I can share anything that's on my mind. Please visit the "About" page to get a better idea of who I am! :-)
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Nah, the way other people live is fascinating. It’s why so many people love to look through windows lit up at night from houses as they drive by. You’d probably get a kick out of my house… it’s a bit wild. I HATE white walls, except in my studio. My son and daughters room both have murals painted (my son’s mural is the entire ceiling and all the walls to the floor… I showed you pictures of that right?) And I hand textured my bedroom with my own combination technique.
I think it’s just a nosey thing 🙂
I’m always looking for ways people organize and store stuff. I’m always looking for a way to store my stuff.
I notice the way it smells. Seriously. I have no idea why that is. Some places feel like home with warm yummy smells, some places smell like cleaning products, etc.
I think it is a curiousity thing. I think sometimes I feel like I know someone so much better after I see where/how they live.
I like taking Katie for walks at night, when people have their lights on, so I can see in their house and really see what it looks like! Actually saying that makes me feel a little weird.
I do like to see peoples houses, to see if it fits their personality or not. I always hope for painted walls… I hate white ones.
I am a total nosy person. I love peeking into the windows of homes when I am on walks. I also enjoy interior design as a hobby so I like to see how people express themselves in their homes.
Kyra – I remember I LOVED the way you decorated your kid’s rooms. I would have loved that growing up! I am especially guilty of trying to peer into my neighbor’s homes as I drive by, because a few of them have the same exact floorplan as we do!
Gary LaPointe – I think having your things organized makes a HUGE difference in how much you enjoy your home. I love all the innovative storage ideas I see in architecture magazines, but wonder how practical they REALLY are!
tori – And some places… smell like cats! LOL! I had this childhood friend whose house always smelled like cat. I love it when I go somewhere and they have a wonderful smell to their home. It makes it feel more cozy!
Jenn – Don’ feel weird! I think a lot of us do it, you’re just brave enough to admit it. I think you can tell A LOT about a person (or their personality) by the way their house is decorated. Sometimes you learn things about them that you didn’t know.
sizzle – It sounds like I need to get out for a walk tonight… do you enjoy seeing your tenant’s homes as well? 😛
Probably a little of both. I’m like that too, but you know I like architecture, HGTV, and stuff like that. Maybe I’m not the right person to judge. 🙂
Ah we always look, too. We usually notice paint jobs and color schemes. I’m afraid to let you in our place for what you’d say. Gah!
I notice the lines–paint, furniture, accessories. And I notice the degree of clutter.
ajooja – If you do it too, it makes me feel more normal 🙂
kapgar – Silly! I already gave you props earlier today… and held back my other comments… JUST KIDDING! 🙂
Cheryl – I could have guessed you notice… your place looks so put together in the photos! 🙂
Oh, I totally love seeing the insides of people’s houses. Should I even admit that my favorite time to take walks through residential neighborhoods is just as the sun is going down. Early enough that people leave their blinds open, but dark enough that they’ve already started turning on lights, so I can see inside!!!
my walls are dingy scuffed white because i rent 🙁 one day i’ll have pretty walls!
I am very curious about that too.. I love houses!
Nilsa – That’s such a tease though! You never get the whole view! Just splashes of color on their walls, and large scale furniture!
Alice – I understand what that is like. I hated all the apartments I ever had… except the one in Rome. It was crappy, but it had character!
Christina – Maybe we got it from mom?
I agree with Tori, for me ~ I notice “smell”. Does it smell clean.
And for me, it can be cluttered as heck, toys strewn everywhere, but as long as it smells clean, it’s fine 😉
Bizarre? .. and definitely a human nosy curiosity thang!
Oh I loooove looking inside other people’s homes. That’s part of the fun of open houses/house buying for me. I think it’s a natural human curiousity thing…
javaqueen14 – That is a good point. If the house is cluttered but doesn’t “feel” dirty, then what’s the big deal? Some clutter is human 🙂
suze – Do you think it is okay to go to a viewing in your neighborhood to see what your neighbor’s house is like? That came up in conversation this weekend!
My sister loves looking in other people’s houses!!! Loves getting ideas and seeing what they do with their space (she is a data processor) 🙂
I think it is a human thing !