Danish homes on Oprah - Page 2

[NicaG]

I just watched that link.....I think if I lived there, I would feel like I lived in an Ikea showroom. I liked how they didn't have much stuff, but the design and color scheme (or lack thereoff) wasn't my style. So much white! How about a little splash of color, or some natural wood surfaces? Or some window treatments!

I think it would be more interesting if Oprah went into some tiny, well-organized family apartments in NYC or other American cities.

[AuntLavender]

My 6yo sleeps on a chair bed

so every night we make the bed and in the morning we remove the linens and fold it back up into a chair. We store the linens in the closet. My son is developmentally delayed and this works great for him because it's a clear transition from sleeping to waking. Also since he shares a room with his older brother it gives them more space. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20119512

My house is very uncluttered but because of various special needs in the family we can't have lamps, knick knacks, potpurri, and most decorations.

I think this residence was especially chosen for Oprah to make a statement. It's a rare thing on tv to be ho hum and not unusual. TV magic eh?

[honey-lilac]

Originally Posted by aprons_and_acorns

I did enjoy having a look around their home!! I'm not sure I could go that minimalist but it reminds me not to keep too much clutter around. I bet the mom and dad spend very little time picking up/putting away/cleaning.

As someone else mentioned, I'd assume that they have a cleaning lady or something (hey, how come it's never "cleaning gentleman" anyway? ) but I would think that they WOULD spend a bit of time cleaning... with all that white and glass you'd think it'd get smudged really easily, even if they keep the messies contained in the kitchen or wherever.

[mommaof3boz]

I didn't have the audio on to hear about the guest bathroom. However I really really don't wanna watch dh poop ya know?

[The Hidden Life]

My guess is that they only use that upstairs bathroom at night, but still, did you notice the giant window across from the glass wall separating the shower-toilet-sink from the living room???

I liked the kids' bedroom/nook--but how do they sleep at night with those giant curtain-less windows and all those city lights? There was a crib at the foot of their bed off the kitchen too. I wonder if they plan to stay in that home for the duration of their child-rearing years? Doesn't seem like enough space for three bigger children; right now they are 1, 4 & 6, so don't require a lot of space.

I think their home is far from typical (the second, more modest apartment was more so, I believe; I've only been to Copenhagen once) and I would be surprised if she cleaned it herself. All of the women featured seemed to have domestic help. Why didn't Oprah interview the rest of those ladies to show "how the world lives" in reality? I applaud the woman from Rio for going to her maid's home--it seemed to be the first time, but at least she was open about her arrangements.

[artgoddess]

Dude, that's awesome! I'm a clutter nut and totally don't belong in this forum (I hit new posts) but I loved that. For like a retreat away from the mess or something. and those windows! the eating area surrounded by windows, How wonderful.

[Pepper44]

Originally Posted by mommaof3boz

I didn't have the audio on to hear about the guest bathroom. However I really really don't wanna watch dh poop ya know?

I didn't have any audio either. But you know, my DH would never poop there. At our house he has to turn on the fan, run the water, and lock the door. A clear door would send him into a panic.

[honey-lilac]

Originally Posted by The Hidden Life

I liked the kids' bedroom/nook--but how do they sleep at night with those giant curtain-less windows and all those city lights? There was a crib at the foot of their bed off the kitchen too. I wonder if they plan to stay in that home for the duration of their child-rearing years? Doesn't seem like enough space for three bigger children; right now they are 1, 4 & 6, so don't require a lot of space.

My cousins shared a room that was about, oh... 7X10" until they moved out of the family apartment, sometime in their 20's. Their whole apartment for their family of four was probably... oh... 300-400 sq feet. The Danish home was MUCH bigger, it seems.

[jjawm]

I noticed that there are no pictures of the kids anywhere - or maybe I missed it?

[SeekingJoy]

There didn't seem to be any pictures or personal effects anywhere. That part was a bit too much for me.

[lolar2]

I'd have liked to see the downstairs. Was that in another part of the video.

[SeekingJoy]

I really wanted to see the downstairs too!

FWIW, I liked the second Danish home previewed more, but the video doesn't seem to be online.

[happyhippimama]

very interesting. i wonder if that place is really typical. i imagine not. but very neat. i really liked the kids nook. when she got up in there though, you coulf really tell just how small it was. when she was sitting there, she pretty much took up the whole floor.

[AahRee]

I don't think I could live there (well, if I did, it wouldn't look like that... I'm way too messy!) but I'd LOOOOOOOOVE to vacation in that home. My mind heaved a great bit sigh of relief just looking at it. It looks so peaceful! ETA - I would have loved the little "kids' cave" when I was a kid, too. Very cool!

[lolar2]

Originally Posted by jjawm

I noticed that there are no pictures of the kids anywhere - or maybe I missed it?

Some people just keep all their kids' photos in albums or online. It's just a personal preference thing.

[lovebug]

i thought it was so interesting! the style in the homes is just not me, but i aspire to be that neat and orderly!

i just told DH i want to move to Copenhagen! i love the idea of the lifestyle and atmosphere! amazing!

[KJoslyn78]

Originally Posted by SeekingJoy

There didn't seem to be any pictures or personal effects anywhere. That part was a bit too much for me.

i would guess that maybe she put them away cause she didnt want her children photographed/video taped... if she has any out at all

[ollineeba]

I didn't see the episode (only the clip posted) but I think it looks so... cold and uncomfortable.

It DOES look like an IKEA showroom, as a pp mentioned ... although even IKEA showrooms have a bit more 'stuff' to them!

[tvantol]

This might have been one of my favorite Oprah episodes. The glass bathroom was strange, but in my family the door is rarely closed anyway and the few times I've attempted I end up with a screaming child on the other side. No privacy so my bathroom could just as well be glass. I can sort of understand the "whiteness" of the homes because there is so much lack of sun there. The big windows are essential and the white walls help too I'm sure. These families were upper middle class or wealthy. Homes over there are super expensive. I'm from the midwest and I'm sure my jaw would drop to find out how much they are paying for their tiny space. I love how they make the most of the space they do have. Makes me think maybe just maybe I could become a minimalist after all. My DH said I would have to stop shopping at Costco first.

What I really loved and I know is off topic there is the lack of fear. Leaving your babies outside to sleep in fresh air! Not fearing losing your job, health care, or being homeless. Just think how different our country would be if we we all weren't so scared all the time!

[ElaineBenes]

Originally Posted by tvantol

What I really loved and I know is off topic there is the lack of fear. Leaving your babies outside to sleep in fresh air! Not fearing losing your job, health care, or being homeless. Just think how different our country would be if we we all weren't so scared all the time!

Not to be off-topic as well, but you can't lose your job in Denmark? They have no homeless people? Really?