Modern television often harks back to the ‘good old days’, glorifying days gone by and making us wish that we could have lived back then. While Doc Brown hasn’t yet delivered on the DeLorean time machine, it is possible to get yourself a taste of 1920s Downton Abbey luxury. And you don’t need to be filthy rich or a lord or lady to make it happen.
Get Some Outside Help
Keeping your house in order from top to bottom is no easy task. That’s why the so-called domestic household staff agency is becoming increasingly popular, particularly with those of us that happen to be stuck in the rat race.
The first step in having your home show even the slightest glimpse of Downton, consider getting a helping hand. Whether it’s a chef to prepare your daily grub or a gardener or two to keep things looking tidy, it’s worth getting help to plug the gaps.
Remember to invest in quality staff as well. You’re looking for people that are articulate, able to hold a semblance of conversation, as well as having good references and professional experience.
Improve Those Manners
We’re often quick to blame those around us for dipping standards, but the ‘problems’ can often be found right at home. Manners are 100% free and maintaining a sense of decorum will instantly add a touch of class to your household.
If you’re not quite sure where to begin, there are plenty of books out there that give rough guidelines on how to become a gentleman (or lady) from the turn of last century.
Dust Off Those Books
Back in the 1910s and 20s, people didn’t have radio or television, let alone the web. In other words, the opportunities for procrastination and filling the mind with junk were not as present as they are now.
That’s why those who would have lived at Downton would have been easily able to quote several lines of Shakespeare without batting an eyelid, have the ability to have an educated conversation or foreign policy, as well as discuss the philosophical works of the ancients. Next time you’re in the vicinity of a library, do yourself a favour and pick up a copy of Plato or Aristotle.
Dinner Parties
The crux of any gentleman’s social life is the famous dinner party. You can either have your chef provide the evening’s courses, or you can show off your culinary skills to those nearest to you.
It’s a fantastic setting to enjoy the company of friends and family, and you’ll often have a nicer time than at most restaurants. Ensure you set a smart dress code and you’ve got yourself an average evening at Downton Abbey.
While these tips have of course been assembled as slightly tongue in cheek, that doesn’t mean they should be disregarded as belonging to a bygone era. Living like a gentleman or lady should not be discarded simply because the modern world is, plainly speaking, just a tad too crude.
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