Ironically, many wealthy people today live in middle class trappings, not to become an envied target. The showy ones are often mortgaged to the hilt, with debt paying for their lavish lifestyles.
These palaces were absolutely not McMansions!! They were built by world renowned architects. Everyone unique, made from finest available materials. Also, they are much larger. McMansions use a lot of faux materials such as plastic cedar shake siding, cosmetic composite stone, and veneer interior woodwork. McMansions are great for curb appeal.
“…the louder, the better.” That perfectly summarizes the most expensive homes in Las Vegas. Really, who wouldn’t want to live in a city that prizes vulgar above all else?
I personally would prefer the personal railroad car as my indulgence. Now THAT is traveling in style! Everything else in current society is either the same or has evolved slightly but that happens to be the most unique too.
This video would have been more interesting if the various mansions, locations, and individuals were actually identified (though many of the photos came from television, movies, and other fictional sources).
They did far better than the nouveau riche of today, they sought culture. America rejected culture in favor of Republicanism. It created a vacuum which naturally would be filled by people who had no reason to look to the American government or governers for refinement. The same is true today, but people who get very wealthy today just have no interest in culture and they think themselves better than those who represent culture abroad. The culture of the day is also to be charitable, and these efforts are lead by the Europeans who are born to promote culture. So, it's also representative of the times being different. European old money isn't necessarily growing or too interested in innovation, and the innovative Americans still take their ques from them, the culture is one of social charitable works. Utility can also impress, it wasn't impractical to spend additional money for greater comfort.
1)Build An Ostentatious Palace. 2)Throw Lavish Parties. 3)Wear The Most Extravagant Clothing. 4)Rub Elbows With Real Aristocracy. 5)Own European Art. 6)Own Box Seats At The Opera. 7)See & Be Seen At Exclusive Locations. 8)Have Your Own Private Carriage. 9)Have An Exclusive Rail Road Car.
That all well and good but that what people did back then it really isn't that relevant now? Most rich people don't want to draw attention to themselves??
Old Money types usually live more discreetly. But a lot of nouveau riche still like to flaunt it. Think the Kardashians or a guy named Trump for just two examples.
Wow those interiors were gawdy… I enjoy the era’s exteriors, but all that french guilted interior design is tacky. Give me a wonderful modern David Davis mansion in Bloomington, IL any day! (Victorian on suite bathroom and hot water sinks in all bedrooms with central heating built in 1870-72 called “Clover Lawn”…a museum today)
Gilded DOES NOT mean caged. It denotes a thin veneer of gold over a cheap base metal. The term Gilded Age means that the shiny display of the ultra-wealthy masked the rot of society beneath it. This is 101 stuff.
