I Want A Bean Feast
Does anyone get that reference? Willy Wonka. Remember the bratty girl who wants the world and sings about it? One of the lines is “I want a feast… I want a bean feast.” At least I’m 80% sure that’s what she says and it has always struck me as weird. Wouldn’t you want a candy feast or a mac & cheese feast as opposed to a bean feast?
Anyway, moving on. The point is not that I want a bean feast, it’s that I want a lot from our next house just like that bratty girl who turns into a giant blueberry (correction: a few smart commenters/Willy Wonka experts have since informed me that I’ve mixed up my girls and the bratty girl was Veruca Salt, who wasn’t the one who turned into a blueberry). Oh well, the picture still makes me laugh. The point? I want a Jeff Lewis house. That’s realistic, right?
Allow me to explain. Many of you know about my obsession with Flipping Out, and those who watch probably get my reference to a Jeff Lewis house. He is pretty darn amazing at taking a house that’s reasonably modest (and usually ranchy or just plain stout looking) and turning the dial from dated to I-don’t-know-how-he-does-it amazing. So although John and I go back and forth about whether we need another three bedroom house with the addition of an office or whether we actually want a four bedroom house (it’s kind of the same difference, right?) we always come back to the same thing when we stalk MLS and drive by every house that even remotely fits our specs: is it a Jeff Lewis house?
See, there’s a sweet spot. It can’t be too amazing looking off the bat. That would be too easy for Jeff – and we’ve also learned with our house that a good after is semi dependent on a pretty spare and unamazing before. Otherwise it’s just a tweak. In other words, something that’s a nine is easy to make a ten, but we like aiming low… for a three perhaps, and trying to bring that up. Plus plain potential-filled houses are less expensive than their shiny all-done counterparts, and it all goes back to one thing: we’re cheap.
Does it mean that we’re destined to end up with another ranch (since Jeff does his fair share of ranch-tastic makeovers)? Maybe. We’re definitely open to everything as long as it’s old and not too big (we like character and a bit of coziness) but I can’t say that I don’t get a little misty eyed at the idea of finding another long, low-to-the-ground-ranch to call our own. Especially one in need of a peaked roof or a new porch.
How has this odd JL obsession worked out? Well, the “is it a Jeff Lewis house” question that we ask ourselves as we search is a good one. It easily allows us to drive by a house that’s completely fabulous and say “next” (instead of getting all caught up in how perfect it is) and it also allows us to squint at some really sad exteriors and play WWJD (what would Jeff do). We imagine this evaluation tool will also carry over when we’re actually touring houses because we know all about how we can open doorways or refinish floors (been there done that) and we also have a few Jeff Lewis tricks to reference going into house numero dos (like the use of dark stain on exposed beams or raw stone on fireplaces or even a rich saturated wall color- hey you never know). We definitely want to put a unique stamp on our next home as opposed to just cloning our first one.
In summary: I don’t want a bean feast, I want an ugly house with a whole lotta room for improvement. And I wouldn’t be mad if Jenny, Sarah, and Zoila were around for support. Just saying.
What about you guys? Do you loathe him? Love him? Don’t know who the heck I’m talking about? Either way you must have heard of Zoila right? She’s a modern day Rosie from the Jetsons.
Blueberry girl image courtesy of Willy Wonka (the original). The images of homes/rooms by Jeff Lewis above are from here, here, and here. Sweet Zoila’s from here.
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Love Jeffrey Lewis & Flipping Out!!!! My hubby & I watch together and laugh so hard at his antics!
He is SO talented though and creates the most amazing spaces.
I AM OBSESSED with Jeff Lewis! My husband doesn’t get my fascination with him but then again he’s not obsessed with remodeling/design as I am. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him and his whole crew. Zoila is hysterical; Love Jenny; LOVE all of his employees. I would love to have JL come design our home and be perfectly ok with not having any say. Everything he touches turns into a beautiful masterpiece! Ok I’m sounds a little stalkerish but I promise it’s a healthy obsession!
I just watched Willy Wonka this past weekend. She absolutely says BEAN FEAST. The best part is that when she says it her father’s reaction is like “OH, THAT KIND OF FEAST”. Such a fantastically strange movie!
a bean feast is the euro slang for a large corporate dinner thrown by an employer. In this case daddy would be using the corporate funds to throw a big bash for his brat and everyone would be there to applaud the greatness of his tyke. Shrimp, caviar lamb, delicacies (dainties) would be given in great abundance
I may be in the minority here, but I actually do not like JL..although that really only applies to his personality…his talent of course is amazing but, for me, I have to watch the show in little spurts and with the sound off. :-)
BTW…a bean feast (so says wikipedia)is primarily an annual dinner given by an employer to his workmen. By extension, colloquially, it describes any jollification. The word, and its shorter form “beano,” are fairly common in Britain, less known in the United States. So a big party with lots of stuff…used a lot in Britain…interesting tid bit.
I love Flipping out! hehe
http://jannsboutique.blogspot.com/
No idea who Jeff is. Is his the only home improvement show I don’t watch? Is he like Sarah from “Sarah’s house.” She too is all about transforming a “seen better days” home into something fabulous. Including a split level that she worked her magic on to the point where you never would have guessed it was the same home.
Hey Erin,
Hmm, he’s kinda like Sarah in the talent department but a lot meaner. And more neurotic. He does seem to have a huge heart under all that crazy, though.
xo,
s
We’re in search of something similair quality wise but a farm house (with 40+ acres) in a very specific area. It seems impossible to find what we want in the right price range. Do you ever feel like the house you want just doesn’t exist?
Hey Amanda,
Yes! We totally know what you mean about wondering if the house that we’re looking for even exists! But we’ve learned whenever we hit that wall we have to keep looking and expand our parameters and considerations. Sometimes we think we’re blocking ourselves from finding the right house by not being as flexible as we should be, so for example we just started looking at houses with carports when we used to write them off immediately since learning that it’s not very expensive to convert them to actual garages. We’re trying to stay open to a lot more so our search parameters can widen and we can find something great!
xo,
s
Oh, Jeff. Swearing, crazy, psycho Jeff. The first time I seen that show he was telling poor Zoila to shape up and iron or clean better or he’d call immigration on her and ship her back! I hope she secretly spits in his coffee every morning! That said, I like to watch him be his neurotic self!
I think you’ll just ‘know’ the one. At least I hope I will when we sell and buy our fixer-upper next year!
I love Jeff in all of his snarky glory! I’ve lusted after the lighting fixture that is in his dining room for a long time. Also, his flooring choices – always amazing!
Love this because I’m guessing I can speak for many of your readers in admitting that we stand there squinting and think WWYHLD?
And it often gives me the confidence to move forward on a project!
I was thinking maybe jellybeans for bean feast. :)
I feel the need to defend Violet, because although she is her own special kind of brat, it’s actually Veruca Salt (the one who goes down the egg hatch) that wants a bean feast. (“She was a bad egg!”)
Also I have no idea who JL is, but I can’t wait to see the house you pick out! I’ve been following your blog for years and loving every minute!
I think it was Veruca Salt not the blueberry girl who sang about the bean feast. She got put in the garbage disposal in Willy Wonka. But it has been a super long time since I watched it..
I love Flipping Out and Jeff Lewis. I totally get why you’re obsessed with his style. I think that you can pretty much do anything to a house as long as you have the vision. Both you and John have proven that you can make anything beautiful. I can’t wait to see the house you end up buying:).
I thought Veruca Salt was the one who sang “I want a bean feast” then fell down the “bad” chute after getting weighed on the egg scale? Then the other girl Violet(the gum chewer) was the one who turned into a blueberry? That’s how I remember it… might have to go re-watch now!
I don’t know who Jeff Lewis is, but the pictures you provided are beautiful. So, I’m going to say I like him :)I like the idea that you are not wanting to clone your first home into the new one. I’m ready for some new ideas!
I like his talent, but what I would really like to have is a team of assistants! And yes, he is mean, but there are things about the work environment that are pretty sweet, too.
not a big fan of JL and all but a friend of mine loves him so i see it every now and again…
as for the bean feast– i just assumed since it was candy and she meant Jelly Beans… but who knows…
Not to burst your giant blueberry bubble, but the bean feast girl isn’t the one who changes into a blueberry – that’s Violet Beuregard (I’m probably butchering the names!). Veruca Salt is the one who says she wants a bean feast, and she’s the one who is a bad egg and falls down the chute.
:) Still love the reference though!
Hey Tracy, Sarah, Whitney, Johnna, and Anna,
Consider the post updated to that effect! How silly of me to confuse my Wonka chicks.
xo,
s
Mmm….sorry…but Verunka is the one who wants the whole world…she’s the one who gets sent down the shoot with the chickens that lay the golden eggs…cause she was a bad egg…
Violet was also a brat, but she turned violet because she ate the gum when she wasn’t supposed to…I’ll admit…I don’t know her song…and I am being a bit of a know it all…but I just thought I would pass it along…
I always thought she said “I want a big feast”, but apparently you are right…
http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/108526/
Figures, I am notorious for getting song lyrics wrong! ;)
I understand what you mean about “a good after is semi dependent on a fugly before”. I think that because our house was flipped(ish) before we bought it that a lot of what we’ve done so far is just “tweaking” since it was far from fugly before.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Jeff Lewis & Flipping Out! Really thought I was the only one this obsessed with him! I love his employees too! I think they all bring something different to his life that at least in theory makes him a more tolerant person and yet…he brings me to tears with laughter! Plus he has GREAT ideas!
Umm, Alice was from The Brady Bunch. The Jetson’s robot maid was Rosie.
Not the point at all, I know.
Stephanie, Lizzy, & Megan,
You’re right! I’m so off on my TV trivia today. Mommy brain.
xo,
s
Jeff’s ability to take a space and transform it is amazing. In a good way. Jeff’s ability to be a complete jerk to those around him is also amazing.
I did find it interesting that he confessed to a “palate” he generally uses.
BTW – the Jetson’s maid was Rosie.
Jeff Lewis is truly gifted!
P.S.-The Jetson’s maid was Rosie, the Brady’s maid was Alice = )
I’ve never heard of Jeff Lewis, nor am I an expert on song lyrics or Willy Wonka, but I can’t wait to watch you transform an ugly house into a lovely one!
Love Jeff Lewis and his snarky comments, which are in my opinion, alot of the time said in jest just to push buttons (especially with Zoila whom he obviously adores). But Sarah from Sarah’s house … ooh what she does to a room is ah.maz.ing. She’s more my style than Jeff’s I guess cuz she’s more traditional to Jeff’s modern. But it’s no thing for her to spend $20Gs on a room. Um, yea, not realistic. I love watching the process she and her sidekick go thru to transform each room.
You guys’ blog rocks. When I start doing some DIY I’m definitly going to look to you two for some inspiration! :)
I do understand what you mean with wanting a bean feast with your next house. When we were looking for our house a year and a half ago, there were a list of must-haves we wanted – and luckily we got them with our current house! Good luck – your bean feast is out there. :)
I love Flipping Out and Jeff Lewis does a great job of it :) He is a freaking neat freak! Hilarious :D
You are kind to indulge all of us so graciously!!! :-) I always knew my uncanny ability to remember useless information, like Veruca Salt would come in handy ONE day…here’s hoping that it is on Jeopardy and for some money at some point!
Love some Jeff Lewis! And I would love to have my own personal Zoila! I personally love a ranch, love the openness of it and the amazing work he does to update them! I would love for my next house to be a ranch, but they are hard to find these days!
love flipping out, love, love, love Zoila!
here’s a link to an old interview with her:
http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/17/flipping-out-zoila-chavez-bravo/
Question: If there was a movie based on Flipping Out, who do you think should play the cast?
Zoila: Okay, for me, maybe Charo. You know, hoochie coochie? Maybe J.Lo could be Jenni. And for Ryan, maybe Enrique Inglesias because he’s so pretty. And for Jeff? Maybe Barack Obama.
Question: You’re saying that the President should play Jeff?
Zoila: Because he’s the boss.
I don’t watch Jeff but I LOVE a ranch. I don’t know why but I’ve always liked them better. Our first house was a ranch and last year we bought a bigger one. I don’t like houses with stairs, fussy corners or wasted space. And the bigger ranch needed LOTS of love. Ah, happiness.
Yes, Veruca Salt sang the ‘bean feast’ song. I have a friend whose daughter unfortunately acts a lot like Veruca, so that’s what we call her sometimes.
Veruca wanted her bean feast with cream buns & donuts & fruitcake with no nuts. I’m kind of a dork & know all the songs in the movie pretty much by heart!
From wiki:
A bean-feast is primarily an annual dinner given by an employer to his workmen. By extension, colloquially, it describes any jollification. The word, and its shorter form “beano,” are fairly common in Britain, less known in the United States.
LOVE Jeff. He’s got some mad design skills plus I feel so much less neurotic by comparison. Win, win!
I was recently looking at some real estate listings from my realtor and I noticed that the TV was on in some pics of one house in particular. Then I did a double take – it was one of the huge larger than life close ups of Jeff Lewis doing the interview portions of an episode of Flipping Out! I almost died. So funny, so ironic.
About Jeff Lewis – where I live (Phoenix area suburb) there is NOTHING Jeff would touch. I think i would need to live in So Cal to have all those fantastic neighborhoods with old homes waiting to be rehabbed. The neighborhoods he is in are hot and no one turns up their nose at a rehab in the Hollywood Hills or Bel Aire. The demand for real estate there and the lack of places to build new create the cycle that is perfect for Jeff. I live where still builders have all the farm land to snatch up and build if they want.
And my husband has ZERO creativity for a rehab. He wants Turnkey. And since he pretty much pays the bills…we know where this will go.
Okay, so I had to look up “bean feast” to see if 1, the lyrics were correct (they were) and if 2, it could have any other meaning than a party with a bad after-smell. Here’s what I found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bean-feast . :)
While I don’t watch that show all the time, I’ve seen it enough to know that Jeff would be totally comfortable with you equating him with Jesus for the purposes of your house search. ;)
I don’t really have any idea who you are talking about, and had to read through the comments more to learn… lol.
Sherry you are cracking me up. A Jeff Lewis house. Ha!
Yes, the man is an incredible talent. Love him and Zoila too. Poor Jenni. Your house hunting is sounding like fun. Thank you for taking us along.
Happy week to you all! ~Melissa
LOVE the show! He is so OCD and it cracks me up! Zoila is a croud pleaser for sure!
You’ll find the “right” one! I just know it’s out there!
- Carmel
I’ve never heard of Jeff Lewis, but will have to check him out. I know what you mean about insane transformations, though- my husband is an architect and it is really amazing to watch him look at houses and see what could be rather than what was. Oh- and on carports- if you’re interested in dramatic but affordable changes, enclosing carports, garages, sunrooms, porches etc is far easier and cheaper to do than actually adding an addition from scratch. So don’t just think carport= potential garage, think carport= potential master suite!
Don’t forget about Trace from Flipping Out! Everyone needs a good intern with sweet style.
So true. His short shorts are the best.
xo,
s
I miss bean feasts! Must be a British thing. It’s a big party given during the Christmas season – like a company party. Fizziwhig’s ball in A Christmas Carol is one.
LOVE Jeff Lewis. He is my husband’s hair twin – it’s quite eerie (kinda like on Friends when Joey found his “Hand Twin”). I drool over every property he’s touched, and his designs made me appreciate a good ranch. But I think his appeal lies largely in his canny comic timing. The episode where he and Sarah had to plan how they would turn down lunch at Casa Vega? Discussing how his client’s baby had a tiny unibrow? Oof.
Hey…
The bean feast part has a lot of historical meaning. Pretty cool tradition. Cake with a bean it, whoever finds the bean gets to be king for the evening.
And just because I love the movie and I’m a nerd, the picture doesn’t match the character about which you are speaking. Maybe you knew that and just grabbed a picture, in which case, I’m sorry. I’m slightly OCD like that.
Good luck finding your dream house! I think it is incredible that you are willing to love a house that needs work. It’s like adopting an animal from a shelter. Loving something that needs the love. Keep looking! Don’t give up!
I’ve been watching Jeff Lewis from the beginning and have to admit I have a soft spot for him, even though he has “issues.” I always say I need my own Zoila–love her! :)
Also, thanks to Debra (above) for explaining what a “bean feast” is. Interesting!