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What's Wrong with this Picture?

15 years ago

Saw this image in Hooked on Houses-a pictorial from Elle Decor about Courtney Cox's new oceanfront home.

Now, I understand it is probably a focal point, dramatic moment etc but when I saw the picture all I could think of was how the architect sited that big honking mass of fireplace to block what is literally a multi-million dollar view! What a shame.

Comments (12)

  • 15 years ago

    But there's a lot of windows in the room to compensate the FP, which I love btw. Except I don't like the TV on such a pretty structure.

    What's wrong with the picture? In my eye's for such a big FP it doesn't look real. Not with white carpet in front. lol.

    BTW, that's my favorite blog! Off to look at the rest of the house.

  • 15 years ago

    Well, I looked at the house, what little they showed of it, and I have to wonder, who in their right mind would pay thousands upon thousands to decorate it?

    Even though it's on the beach, with a beautiful yard, etc., it sure isn't a place I'd want to curl up with a good book.

    I do like to see the tastes of real people though, even if they do hire a decorator.

  • 15 years ago

    I'm thinking white must be Courtney's favorite color. The fireplace looks completely out of place to me. It would be better if they put a wood cover over it & painted it white. :c)

    I also have to wonder, what did she need a designer for? Anyone can pick a white sectional, white carpet and white paint. No, I'd never feel comfortable or relaxed in this room which is a shame when you consider where it's at. I realize a designer did the whole house, but I don't see why she bothered with one for this room, it looks like an after thought to me.

  • 15 years ago

    My caption would be "see, symmetry has its limits".
    The mass of FP should have been to the left, IMO, giving a dramatic and uninterrupted swath of glazing and far vistas. This is viewus-interruptus in a tragic way.
    Casey

  • 15 years ago

    the fireplace i'm sure looks awesome at night when it's not competing with the gorgeous view...

    what looks 'wrong' to me is all the white with the fireplace...i would have chosen different paint/furnishings for that room is it was mine-it's just not the right room for all white, imo.

  • 15 years ago

    I wouldn't assume she hired a decorator -- I remember reading that Courtney Cox is really into decorating and design herself; I think she may have even done it as a minor side business -- seem to recall something about her flipping houses (big, expensive houses) or something similar a few years ago. I'd guess this is pretty much her taste.

  • 15 years ago

    I think it looks great! There's plenty of view there. I sure puts my house to shame.

  • 15 years ago

    It wasn't an assumption. I believe the article mentioned a designer.

  • 15 years ago

    I haven't see the article to see if there are more pix, but I am guessing there is way more view off to the right that we simply don't see here.

    I like the stone fireplace. I think it adds some texture and interest to the space, and when a lot of the days are likely a bit more grey and overcast or smoggy, the fireplace colors work well with the view from the windows.

    I don't like the tv there, however.

  • 15 years ago

    If you just type in your search engine, Courtney Cox's home in Elle Decor magazine......plenty of pictures(22) and article. Really gorgeous, I can't imagine being fortunate enough to live right on the Pacific, magnificent!!!

  • 15 years ago

    I looked at all the pictures and there is a nice mix of textures and materials,
    interesting paintings, the white furniture works well imo since it lets the view stand out more. Now I feel like buying the magazine to see better pictures.

  • 15 years ago

    In "A Pattern Language" which is a book about architecture, Christopher Alexander the author speaks about using smaller windows on view walls. The reason for this, according to him, is that when one constantly sees a view through huge windows it becomes so commonplace that one no longer really sees it. He recommends using smaller windows so the view is glimpsed in smaller increments and appreciated more. So IMO using the fireplace to block part of the view is not a mistake altho I think it could have been done more esthetically. The fireplace IMO has too much contrast to the white walls and is really not as special a choice as might have been made in what is likely a very expensive home.

    Overall I think it's a pretty 'blah' room and not a great advertisement for the designer but that's just my opinion and likely because it's not my style at all.

    Here is a link that might be useful: A Pattern Language