Joy and Austin: This One Time At Family Camp

[NotFundie]

What troubles me is that we don't really know when this picture was made.  It may or may not have been on John David's birthday.  There are (oddly) no small Duggarlings in the picture so we can't compare their sizes to other photos.  And where is Joy?  The new baby may or may not be here.  Basically, the Duggars and Duggar-adjacents show us what they choose to show us.  Beyond knowing that this is the Austin&Joy house, we don't really know anything else.

[charmed1]

I think I spotted Johanna, kneeling on the floor.

[Vaysh]

The grey colour on the walls actually looks very nice to me but the drab curtains combined with the too big brown leather couches destroys the room completely. It's just depressing, especially since the ceiling is grey as well. They need lighter colours to accentuate the walls, not darker ones in a similar yet different colour.

I have to ask. Is this brown colour scheme the Duggars seem to favour an American thing or a Duggar thing? Because I live in the land of white when it comes to house decorating. Walls are white, ceilings are white, lots of furniture is white. With some grey, black, natural wood and occasional accent colours like purple thrown in for decoration purposes. Can be boring as hell but at least I don't feel depressed when walking into a room.

[NotFundie]

6 minutes ago, Vaysh said:

The grey colour on the walls actually looks very nice to me but the drab curtains combined with the too big brown leather couches destroys the room completely. It's just depressing, especially since the ceiling is grey as well. They need lighter colours to accentuate the walls, not darker ones in a similar yet different colour.

I have to ask. Is this brown colour scheme the Duggars seem to favour an American thing or a Duggar thing? Because I live in the land of white when it comes to house decorating. Walls are white, ceilings are white, lots of furniture is white. With some grey, black, natural wood and occasional accent colours like purple thrown in for decoration purposes. Can be boring as hell but at least I don't feel depressed when walking into a room.

I don't think it's an American thing so much as it's a "have no interior decorating skill" thing.  One of my adult children has a home decorated much the same way -- lots and lots of brown.  (It's their home and not mine so I stay quiet.) The grandkids have big, bright plastic toys so it cheers up the house.

[bythelake]

5 hours ago, Sew Sumi said:

Wanna bet that Jana made those curtains?

Nah, I don't think so. If you look at the window behind the sofa where JoKen are sitting, the curtain has a big crease as if it were taken out of the package  and just hung up. If Jana had made them, they would have been pressed. These look similar to curtains ( drapes) that Walmart sells.

I can't fault them for the monochromatic theme, if they are going to flip this house, buyers would rather see something neutral that they could put their personal stamp on. That house could be cute with the right furnishings and accessories.

[SuspiciousMind]

Kendra looks cute ... that's about all I can say,

[cmr2014]

22 minutes ago, Vaysh said:

The grey colour on the walls actually looks very nice to me but the drab curtains combined with the too big brown leather couches destroys the room completely. It's just depressing, especially since the ceiling is grey as well. They need lighter colours to accentuate the walls, not darker ones in a similar yet different colour.

I have to ask. Is this brown colour scheme the Duggars seem to favour an American thing or a Duggar thing? Because I live in the land of white when it comes to house decorating. Walls are white, ceilings are white, lots of furniture is white. With some grey, black, natural wood and occasional accent colours like purple thrown in for decoration purposes. Can be boring as hell but at least I don't feel depressed when walking into a room.

It's not so much an "American thing" as a "house flipping thing." I've watched hundred of hours of house flipping shows -- and I imagine Austin has, too. Rooms are painted in a neutral color like beige or light gray, and the window trim is painted bright white to "pop" against the wall color. It can look very nice if the house is decorated nicely with pictures, colorful throw pillows, fresh cut flowers, etc. to add a bit of color.

[GeeGolly]

Real life flippers typically sell the homes bare naked and not stage them with cozy decorations of furniture at all. 

I think in a lot of typical American homes have permanent and expensive things in neutral colors, like kitchen counter tops, shower tiles, and carpets and hardwoods. Most folks paint different rooms in different colors and have "pops" of colors with pillows, art, bedspreads, curtains, area rugs and maybe furniture or 'occasional chairs'. In my area most folks use mini blinds for privacy and curtains more as a soft decoration.  Though it went out of trend years ago many folks around here still use wallpaper. I would say most of my friends homes are based in a neutral color but are far from drab or blah.

Many people are afraid to commit and take chances and are afraid they'll get sick of a color and such. A great decorating tip is to look at your favorite clothes and start from there. Doesn't help much though for folks who typically wear black. 

I say all this when my first decorating style was Early American Do You Want This, We're Getting A New One. Very eclectic. LOL

[Churchhoney]

4 hours ago, cmr2014 said:

It's really just an awful photo.

If you're going to take a picture of someone' birthday party -- even just a candid shot -- there should be some point to the picture.

It's not really a picture of JD. It's not really a picture of the group since JD, Joe, and Austin aren't paying attention. It's not a picture of the house. It'snot a picture of the food and decorations.

There are paper plates and bowls,plastic utensils and Styrofoam cups randomly littering the flat surfaces. They could have been tossed out before pictures were taken.

I'd have added bonus points if anyone actually looked like they were having fun.

If no one could be bothered to take a nice picture of this gathering, is it necessary to post a photo of the gathering?

If you don't post pictures on social media, it didn't happen. That's the rule of the 21st century, right? 

[MsJamieDornan]

On 1/15/2018 at 6:00 PM, Heathen said:

Austin is, what, 23? That is one wrinkly forehead for someone who hasn't even made it to his MID-twenties. If I didn't know better, I'd guess he was more like thirty. 

It looks like the marks on his forehead are from wearing a cheap baseball hat backwards.

[Temperance]

6 hours ago, charmed1 said:

I think I spotted Johanna, kneeling on the floor.

No, she signed the book in Australia. Not sure who that is. 

Edited January 17, 2018 by Temperance

[RedheadZombie]

10 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

We lived in south Louisiana for a long time.  We had windows and we didn't need to cover them.  We also had a/c and heat and none of that broke the bank.  Maybe they don't have a/c yet.  Or heat.  Or maybe they like privacy.  From peering eyes.  

I live in Georgia and I do.  I have family in Arkansas and they do.  I have air conditioning and I have heat.  LOL.

8 hours ago, Westiepeach said:

Ok. Forgive me for my ignorance ... but if it was JD’s birthday “party,” ... um, shouldn’t Jana have been there as well? Since they are twins and all ...

Jana's probably sewing the bridesmaid dresses for Josiah's wedding.

6 hours ago, NotFundie said:

What troubles me is that we don't really know when this picture was made.  It may or may not have been on John David's birthday.  There are (oddly) no small Duggarlings in the picture so we can't compare their sizes to other photos.  And where is Joy?  The new baby may or may not be here.  Basically, the Duggars and Duggar-adjacents show us what they choose to show us.  Beyond knowing that this is the Austin&Joy house, we don't really know anything else.

Did anyone ever identify the little boy in the picture?

[ozziemom]

Kendra’s family was at this party so maybe one of her brothers.

[LilJen]

12 hours ago, GeeGolly said:

I say all this when my first decorating style was Early American Do You Want This, We're Getting A New One. Very eclectic. LOL

Alternate name for this style: Post-College I Am Poor, Thanks for the Old Furniture.

Edited January 17, 2018 by LilJen

[jennblevins]

23 minutes ago, LilJen said:

Alternate name for this style: Post-College I Am Poor, Thanks for the Old Furniture.

My family’s term for it was “Early Garage Sale,” as in “you get to the garage sales early in the morning to snag the quality stuff.”  Which still doesn’t look cohesive, but also doesn’t fall apart.

For the Duggars, I suppose it might best be described as warehouse-diving?

(And I say this as someone who, at forty-something, has plenty of IKEA as well as several third-hand pieces, and, of course, items from garage sales.)

[drafan]

On 1/16/2018 at 4:26 PM, bigskygirl said:

You think he would have friends from being a volunteer constable, his construction and towing business, or being a pilot. Maybe he is not allowed to have outside of his family or family friends. I mean he cannot have a evil heathen tempt him away from his family.

No normal young people would attend that "party"....there would need to be wings, a keg, and a game on a TV.

J&A already the requisite Hobby Lobby J&A creation on their wall. Bet it was a wedding gift from another Fundie.

They should've gotten wider rods and more curtains and hung the rods on the walls.......could've covered the fuse box with pushed-over drapes. Oh well, Fixer-Upper-Wannabe Jessa only "decorates" when the cameras are rolling for a paycheck.

Is there any heat in that house? Everyone is pretty bundled up....except for the birthday boy, who is probably warm from the excitement of his party (snerk)  and beanpole Derick, who probably has an overactive thyroid.

ETA: Joy should be decorating her dorm room.

Edited January 18, 2018 by drafan

[PradaKitty]

I really would like to see the rest of the house...

[BitterApple]

1 hour ago, PradaKitty said:

I really would like to see the rest of the house...

Ask and ye shall receive:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeEKduKhksd/

Horrible layout and not nearly enough storage.

Edited January 17, 2018 by BitterApple

[Westiepeach]

That hallway is making me claustrophobic!

Edited January 17, 2018 by Westiepeach

[Heathen]

15 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

Ask and ye shall receive:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeEKduKhksd/

Horrible layout and not nearly enough storage.

That video gave me motion sickness. 

The kitchen reminds me of my uncle, who put a $12,000 kitchen in a house with a leaky roof and forty-year-old carpet. 

[PradaKitty]

Yuck. That’s all, just yuck. 

[DangerousMinds]

I do have to give them credit for NOT living in one of Boob's houses for free.

[PradaKitty]

Look how very pregnant Joy looks in the reflection from one of the bedroom mirrors! 

Akso what the heck is that stuck in the middle pane of the front door? 

[kokapetl]

32 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

Ask and ye shall receive:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeEKduKhksd/

Horrible layout and not nearly enough storage.

It’s so tiny. That’s not a dining room, it’s a dining wall at best.

I swear I’ve seen those kitchen cabinets before. 

[BitterApple]

2 minutes ago, PradaKitty said:

 

Akso what the heck is that stuck in the middle pane of the front door? 

It looks like a cloth napkin stuck to the window, lol.

I will say I like the wall color, finishes and the wood flooring, but the lack of closet space would drive me bonkers. There's nowhere to hang coats, store cleaning supplies etc., unless I missed something.

[Mollie]

They have been working on that house for more than nine months and it is still not finished.  They don't even have closet doors!  Joy does seem to be happy and optimistic about it all, though, and I'm just glad that she's out of her parents' house. 

[PradaKitty]

Maybe that’s why everyone kept their coats on!

[Sew Sumi]

9 minutes ago, Kokapetl said:

It’s so tiny. That’s not a dining room, it’s a dining wall at best.

I swear I’ve seen those kitchen cabinets before. 

Stock at Home Depot, I'm sure.

[ginger90]

It’s cute, some of the choices aren’t my taste but I don’t have to look at it everyday.

Was that a door to outside in the baby’s room? 

Could anyone tell in the opening of the front door, what’s across the street?

Edited January 17, 2018 by ginger90

[Spencer Hastings]

Gold star for Austin being the one to actually work in the house.  It’s evident that it was been a slow labor of love project. 

The dining area is so small!  I would hate to face the wall while eating. 

Joy is still very pregnant, y’all.  Also, I could have sworn she almost said something else instead of “all our stuff” when entering the master bedroom. 

I can’t snark overall. They’re very young and this looks typical for an “our first place” house. Good for them. 

Edited January 17, 2018 by Spencer Hastings

[Christina87]

I liked the home overall, but I wish they had waited to finish it before posting a video. It's so distracting to see stuff all over the floor in every room, and we don't have the "vision" of what it will look like later in our heads like they do!

[Lunera]

The house is cute but the random ugly furniture ruins it. 

[Quof]

I know for certain the guest bed was a mattress on the floor, but was the marital bed the same?   How does Joy get herself up off the floor every morning? For god's sake, people, a bed frame costs less than $100.  

[BitterApple]

5 minutes ago, Quof said:

I know for certain the guest bed was a mattress on the floor, but was the marital bed the same?   How does Joy get herself up off the floor every morning? For god's sake, people, a bed frame costs less than $100.  

The master bed looked like a box spring and mattress on the floor, definitely no bed frame. 

[BetyBee]

"I'm still very pregnit."  Poor Joy sounds so out of breath, but I think when all is done, it will be cute enough.  It's too bad that half of the living room is taken up with their tools.  No garage, I guess.  I hope they finish before baby comes.  

[Westiepeach]

23 hours ago, Temperance said:

She's in Australia with the family so they had separate day-of celebrations. Hers' looked better. 

Ah. Ok. Understood.

It is a perfectly fine "starter home" for 2 people. Add a baby ... it's going to be way too small. But I applaud them for not living in one of JBoob's properties.

[galaxychaser]

the house is cute! it needs to be finished before the kid gets here which is soon. joy is huge :). 

[Absolom]

I think the house is fine for a young couple and a baby or maybe even two.  Beyond that, Austin needs to redo a larger house.

[Vaysh]

The house, aside from that horrible kitchen... thing, is actually quite nice IMO. A lot brighter than the birthday picture made it seem. The furniture and decorations are rather dreadful but I can't blame a young couple for not having matchy matchy furniture. Personally, I'd have opened up the layout of the house a bit more  but it's a pretty decent starter house for couple where only one person is working. I can see why Joy is proud of it.

[Fuzzysox]

26 minutes ago, Absolom said:

I think the house is fine for a young couple and a baby or maybe even two.  Beyond that, Austin needs to redo a larger house.

I think Austyn brought this house in haste since he wanted to get laid and fast! 

[madpsych78]

I wondered if Joy catching her pregnant self on camera in the mirror was a FU internetz moment to end any rumors about giving birth early.

And I didn't mind the house as a whole but there is way too much crap lying around.

[Arwen Evenstar]

Hubs and I live in a small townhouse.  All it takes in a small house is to have a few items laying around to look like you’re trying out to be on Hoarders Buried Alive.

[Temperance]

25 minutes ago, Vaysh said:

The house, aside from that horrible kitchen... thing, is actually quite nice IMO. A lot brighter than the birthday picture made it seem. The furniture and decorations are rather dreadful but I can't blame a young couple for not having matchy matchy furniture. Personally, I'd have opened up the layout of the house a bit more  but it's a pretty decent starter house for couple where only one person is working. I can see why Joy is proud of it.

I think it's as open as it can be with that many bathrooms(2) and bedrooms (3). That is what is taking up most of that space. The common space is tiny (as opposed to bed/baths). I'm not a fan of open floor plans unless the space is small like this house is. I thought the kitchen was nice, and the house looks much better than it did with holes in the wall. I would find a way to hide the electrical plan more if I was going to sell it. Then again it doesn't have a basement. I think I would have expanded the house beyond the original footprint especially since it seems to be on a slab, but it that would've taken too much time and money.

Edited January 18, 2018 by Temperance

[lascuba]

I wouldn't buy it for myself, but I think it's a cute house, just boringly decorated. I can see them still living in it several kids down the line...Austyn seems to take frugality seriously enough that he'd be fine with cramped quarters, and Joy doesn't seem to care all that much. 

[MichaelaRae]

That house may still need some finishing touches, but footprint/size-wise, it is MORE than adequate for a new, young family. Three bedrooms is enough for Mom and Dad at least 4 kids - at least, my family somehow survived such "cramped" conditions when we were growing up. ;-)

[Heathen]

22 minutes ago, MichaelaRae said:

That house may still need some finishing touches, but footprint/size-wise, it is MORE than adequate for a new, young family. Three bedrooms is enough for Mom and Dad at least 4 kids - at least, my family somehow survived such "cramped" conditions when we were growing up. ;-)

Yep. Bunkbeds were invented for a reason, plus it isn't like the Forsyth kids will need room for all their books and science experiments and academic trophies. 

[Celia Rubenstein]

I can't go back and watch the video again because it made me dizzy. But was joy actually barefoot in that little glimpse she gave of herself in the mirror ? As in barefoot and pregnant? Good Lort.

[rainclouds]

8 minutes ago, Heathen said:

Yep. Bunkbeds were invented for a reason, plus it isn't like the Forsyth kids will need room for all their books and science experiments and academic trophies. 

They said on the show they would have their first child at the house but it was a flip house. They are planning on buying a bigger one after a year or two. I think they will end up buying a farm type house.

[MsJamieDornan]

Wasn’t Austins plan to have it done before the wedding ?

Edited January 19, 2018 by MsJamieDornan

[tabloidlover]

I think the home is just fine for them.   Not everyone gets to start married life with a house, let alone being so young.   It's a cute little starter home.  

Edited January 18, 2018 by tabloidlover