Dear Jean and Richard, I’ll bet your friends never invite you into their homes for fear of your critical eye. I’m curious what your eyes do see—or look for—when you visit a friend’s home. –Ann Nonimus

Richard: Hi “Ann.” Ok, so I don’t know who you are for sure, but I have a pretty good idea. Not that it matters, mind you, because my answer would be the same. What do I look for? First, I look for a glass of wine and a soft place to sit. If you’re worried that I might pass judgment on your interior, make sure it’s really good wine.
Jean: What I look for are pets. If there’s a puppy or kitty around, chances are I won’t even notice the room. As far as I’m concerned, animals are the best accessories, regardless of color or scale. The rest is just stuff.
Richard: Don’t give me that. You’re looking for a glass of Pinot Grigio, too. And the rest is not just “stuff.” You’ll be like, “What a great chandelier! (or not) What a pretty wine label! (as compared to the wine)”
Jean: Well, maybe—while I’m petting the puppy, of course. Did you know that some of the most popular wines have animals on the label? I’ve never seen one with a chandelier.
Richard: You’ve never seen one with a kid on the label, either. Which is another thing I look for. Not kids, mind you. But I like to see their “stuff” restricted to specific rooms. No visitor likes to trip over toys when they’re drinking a glass of wine.
Jean: Dog beds are OK, though. At least for me. Even those can be fun prints. In fact, anything that’s personal and makes the home feel warm and inviting is OK with me. I love pieces that the owners have collected from their travels or inherited from family. But I agree with you that there should be a sense of order.
Richard: Yes, and most important is clean. I guess you could say what we both look for is that the interior is organized and clutter free. After that, what’s cooking in the kitchen is far more important than how the room is put together.
Jean: Tired of tofu, Richard? I’d say another thing that’s important is a sense of fun or playfulness. No one wants to live in a depressing or bland environment. I would notice if it was boring.
Richard: But I still say if you don’t have the ability to “mix it up”, don’t. One man’s treasures can be this man’s trash. If it’s not pretty, just dim the lights and we’ll eat by candlelight.
Jean: It’s really about the food, isn’t it? Something tells me Ann will not be inviting you over anytime soon.