As for Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s home, it was too rote, too formulaic, though that is probably what the production designer et al. were going for: two young, busy assassins who would pick the “cover” house most UNlike the two of them, in a neighborhood full of cloying, phony yuppies (LOVE Jane’s look at the party as the wives coo over hubby’s promotions!).

The interiors are similar in intent: so perfect, so sleek yet classic, sporting that popular ’90′s-early millennium melange of “Leave it to Beaver” and Hollywood Hills, slapped together (yet deftly) by someone from “HGTV”, perhaps?

When I first saw the film, I too was dazzled at all the little touches–the pendant chandelier, the odd, earth-tone colors, sparkling kitchen tiles and the “red oak” floors (actually a substitute for a vulgar phrase, in answer to the neighbor’s inquiry, that they decided not to have Brad say, so they could put it elsewhere–watch the DVD commentary). But, like John, I also thought the curtains were “hideous” and in the end, you realize that the house is actually very “cold”, personality-wise, like their marriage.

In that sense, the design is a triumph, but I wouldn’t want to live there. What I WOULD like to have seen was their “redone” second house! Imagine the shared hoard of weapons! No more secrets.

I think that an example of what people are thinking of a house in which the interior and exterior mesh well is Diane Keaton’s Hamptons beach house in Somethings Gotta Give. That seemed to be a great example of a classic Hamptons style exterior beach house that had very sophisticated and traditional design on the interior. I too loved that house and if I could ever have a beach house like that, I would want my exterior and interior to resemble that.

Another house I adore is Meryl Streep’s house in Its Complicated. Again, great exterior with classic and contemporary mixture inside.

I just found your website- fabulous

As a kid I always loved the house on ” Father Knows Best”

Do you think you can do an expose of that some day ?

Cheers