As cringe worthy & hilarious as those videos are it really makes me wonder why we haven't re/defined what luxury is in a SA context. Cos trying to recreate some Downton Abbey service system whilst having no idea how it is actually done is embarrassing & exploitative.

A house devoid of any Art & unique architectural touches that speak towards luxury. No evidence of any tech that saves time or labour... Having people waiting on you hand and foot doesn't feel modern, actually feels invasive and antiquated.

I'm sure luxury is different for most people. A big well appointed garden is luxury. Beautiful art is luxury. Privacy is luxury. A great location is luxury. Convenience is luxury. Having time to develop your tastes & knowledge is luxury... Having stuff & staff is just, not enough

What would you consider a luxurious lifestyle? for yourself. Not what the TV tells you is luxury but the things, experiences that would create a luxurious lifestyle for you? Would it be the flexibility to work from home? The outsourcing of certain chores/tasks? Beautiful objects?

I remember in the mid 2000s when all the "Tuscan style" hybrid villas were being built it had now morphed I to these double volume houses. I guess SA has its own McMansions

Part 2

Very interesting. Certain design elements bother your eye but until you know the reason & vocabulary it is something hard to pin point why something just looks "wrong"