Yes Steph it is lovely. Like you I would not have the energy to keep it up. Nor the desire to have to travel through so much house all the time. But for those that need a house that large it is gorgeous. It looks so nice and comfprtable. Love her choice of furniture. Funny years ago I always dreamed of a large house and once or twice we had 1850 SQ FT and I learned that was way more house then I would ever need and too much to take care of. I am happy with our little 1375 ish. Always the option to close in the front porch for another 200SQ FT. Just not really sure what it would gain me other then it would then remind me of my Grandmothers house I loved so much when I was a kid and slept on her enclosed front porch.

The only decor I would change are the area rugs. I can't believe an empty-nester couple who could afford this place would give it up! The commentary from the Learys about their memories there are heart-warming. What a perfect place for children and grandchildren to visit. The Learys must know something much more than I do, or they've just BS'd their way through that interview.

Did you post pics of the one in your bathroom? Because I want to see pics of the one in your bathroom. :) (Or am I thinking of another house? My memory is awful.)

so my question is what are some features in this house that you think make it special or give the warm/elegant vibe. Things that stand out to my eye: - Traditional /transitional kitchen cabinets with "furniture feet" ... made modern with multiple woods + paint. Lots of glass front cabinets. Massive island is a centerpiece ... this would only be work in a huge house, and it's not overly practical. Do not try to pull off these mixed-tones yourself; only a real pro could pull this off. Between the expensive cabinetry, double islands and upscale appliances, this is an extremely expensive kitchen. - White trim, white walls ... but enough dark-dark to anchor it /keeps it from being the oh-so-trendy modern farmhouse white. - Simple but wide molding and baseboards. While these things seem small, well done moldings really add to the overall feel of a house. This should be a splurge item, but they are something you can add on your own later. Look into foam moldings instead of wood, especially if you're adding them yourself. - Lots of mixed flooring ... tile, parquet ... not the more typical hardwood flooring. Note that multiple floor materials can be more work to keep clean. Also note that in a smaller house, this could backfire on you /could make your space look choppy. - French doors echo the glass kitchen cabinet doors. - Simple linen-type curtains ... are the ones in the living room velvet? Long and straight. The curtains are hung on heavy rods. - We can't see the windows in this house, but -- to mesh with the rest of this place -- I'm sure they're top-notch windows. Good quality windows make a difference in the overall feel of a house; they should be a splurge item. This space doesn't seem to have a whole lot of windows. - Lots of true beige neutrals throughout ... with lots of gold undertones /gold trim. I don't think I saw a single print fabric. - The furniture is transitional /looks soft and comfortable. Except for the tables, little here is "hard" ... that is, stuffed ottomans, cloth chairs at the dining room table. Lots of rounded edges. - Most of the chairs in the seating areas "have legs" instead of being skirted. - The walls aren't over-stuffed with artwork, and they have quite a few mirrors throughout. I liked that the walls weren't painted gray! Yes, since you say you like warm /yellow lighting, gray is completely not for you. If you buy a new house, you may find that gray is the default ... but you must say no. I believe you should design your home around what pleases you, not what others might approve of (I know I am in the minority with that sentiment). Eh, people SAY you should use what you like ... right before they delve into everything that's trendy right now and whine about "dated" items. Many professional designers eschew ceiling lights for eye-level lighting from sconces and table lamps. That's how they get that flattering glow. Yes, multiple light sources in every room ... not just one ceiling light. You can purchase bulbs with different K values, and you probably want 3500K and below to get a warmer glow from your bulbs. Yes, the right bulbs can make such a difference, but I'm no expert on the topic.