toddmundt

[toddmundt]

The McMansion Hell Yearbook: 1972

Howdy folks, and by howdy I mean howdy, because this time our McMansion Hell yearbook house is in the 9th circle of McMansion Hell itself, Denton County, Texas! Sitting at a cozy 4900 square feet, this 4 bedroom/4 bath abode could be all yours for a cool $1.13 million!

In case you’re wondering what’s going on architecturally here (i.e. everyone reading this), this house is a combination of a two-story Spanish Colonial Revival (right) with a 1970s shed-style house (left) all converging in a fully formed lawyer foyer (center). The result is, well, weird. Let’s continue. 

Lawya Fawya

Unlike our earlier 1970s houses, you can see that this one has had quite a bit of renovation, likely in the early 2000s. However, some classic things still come to mind, namely the spackled stucco walls and staircase, which are likely original to the 70s. My guess would be that a lot of that center wall has been taken out in the 2000s-2020s drive to Take Every Possible Interior Wall Out. 

Living Room

As you can see, this house is very large and mostly empty - this room probably had more of a den feel originally and was probably divided up in some way. The ceilings are their original 1970s height (low). 

Unidentified Gathering Space

My favorite part of this room is the fact that they couldn’t quite round out the window corners. Curves are hard. 

Kitchen

Frankly, even with the weird pot storage, this is probably the most sane kitchen in McMansion Hell history (a rare success; a glimmer of hope in a time of great darkness.)

Master Bedroom

That TV is an entire football field away from the bed which is a great metaphor for my attitude towards being on social media during the, you know, whole global pandemic and economic collapse thing that’s going on. 

Master Bathroom

Ok OK I’m done with the social distancing jokes!!!!!!

Bedroom 2

That bed in that room is how it feels living a tiny studio apartment with my husband and my dog during a time of great uncertainty!!

Rec Room

I would love to see some statistics on what percentage of home gym equipment ends up on craigslist. My guess is at least half - working out at home is awkward and hard (source: I don’t do it.) 

Ok Ok we’re now ready to enter the best (read: worst) room in this house, which I have duly saved for last. 

“Theatre Room”

Alternatively this is how a pizza feels when they put it in one of those brick ovens at those overpriced restaurants. 

That’s all for inside, let’s head back out. 

Rear Exterior

Yeah I don’t actually know how something like this happens, architecturally speaking. It’s like the house version of mismatched socks and also both the socks have a hole in the toe and smell bad. 

Anyways that does it for 1972 - join us soon for 1973, which is truly a doozy - thanks to the folks on the McMansion Hell Patreon stream who submitted it!

I know that these are economically uncertain times, but many creators including myself depend on Patreon for most of their income, so if you have a minimum of $12/year to spare and are into bonus content, then do I have some good news for you: 

If you like this post, and want to see more like it, consider supporting me on Patreon!

There is a whole new slate of Patreon rewards, including: good house of the month, an exclusive Discord server, monthly livestreams, a reading group, free merch at certain tiers and more!

Not into recurring donations but still want to show support? Consider the tip jar! 

Or, Check out the McMansion Hell Store! Proceeds from the store help protect great buildings from the wrecking ball.

[toddmundt]

Design for an office building, Boston

[toddmundt]

The Thayer residence, Boston

[toddmundt]

[toddmundt]

From our friends at The Salt.

Thousands of people cross the U.S.-Mexico border everyday. An untold number buytostilocos — chips loaded with toppings many might consider loco, as in crazy.

The gastronomic marvel that is tostilocos involves a snack-sized bag of salsa verde-flavored Tostitos piled with hot sauce, pickled pork rinds, chopped cucumbers, jicama, deep-fried peanuts, tamarind candy, pickled fruit sauce called chamoy and a squeeze of lime. All those toppings go straight in the bag, and often spill out over the sides.

This combination of salt, sour, sweet and heat will set you back about $3. And it is not for the faint of heart.

Hot, Sour, Sweet And Mobile: Loco Border Street Food

GIF Credit: Kainaz Amaria/NPR

[toddmundt]

It's true. on Flickr.

[toddmundt]

The heady days of summer at West Bridge in Cambridge, MA.

#restaurants #Boston

[toddmundt]

Dining time in Antwerp | Belgium (by Nacho Coca)

[toddmundt]

a few appetizers at Blue Duck Tavern in Washington, DC

#restaurant #washington

[toddmundt]

Spring on a plate at Bryan Voltaggio's Range in Washington, DC.

#restaurants #washington

[toddmundt]

I admit... I have come to be a strong proponent for the tasting menu at West Bridge in Cambridge.

#restaurants #cambridge #west bridge #tasting menu

[toddmundt]

From the tasting menu at West Bridge in Cambridge

#restaurants #tasting #west bridge

[toddmundt]

A blend of brachetto and barbera. A fantastic, refreshing wine.

#wine #italy

[toddmundt]

From the tasting menu at West Bridge in Cambridge

#food #cambridge #restaurants #west bridge #tasting

[toddmundt]

There's some great food tucked away in this list of restaurants.

The Perfect Night Out: The 12 Most Outstanding Restaurants of 2013

The twelve restaurants on GQ’s list of places to go for a perfect night out will make you feel coddled, welcome, and well fed. You can’t ask for more than that.

#restaurants #washington #boston #food

[toddmundt]

This is what happens when Guy Fieri, he of Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar, doesn’t buy the full URL. Go big or go home.

#guy fieri #newsweek

[toddmundt]

Foley Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2010 on Flickr.

Rich, dark fruit… with tannins and acidity providing balance and poise.

#wine #pinot noir