How to manage your house like George Washington

Mount Vernon was a gentlemen’s seat, not a miser’s abode, and so there were frequent visitors and parties.

There are two different scenarios presented in this passage. One is a gentlemen’s seat and another is a miser’s abode. The key differentiating factor is the presence of frequent visitors and parties.

A gentlemen’s seat

Such a seat is a beacon of prosperity, not a bitter example of neglect.

Someone must devote love and attention to the property. In Washington’s case, both he and his wife Martha shared the same vision of Mount Vernon and she took on the responsibility of managing the estate.

So let’s say one wants to build a gentlemen’s seat (of course, gentlewoman can be equally substituted), where do we start. Similarly to all projects, we start with a vision. It needs to be really clear. In my definition, this seat is in order. Daily chores are taken care of daily, by the owner or hired help. Additionally, the seat is a destination for fellowship, parties, and experiences between people. Money and effort is spent, yes, but in a way to benefit the community and with a plan.

A miser’s abode

A miser is someone who lives in terrible conditions to hoard money. Not to be confused with someone saving toward a dream of a gentlemen’s seat, a miser’s abode is not taken care of. There is no plan, no vision, and things begin to fall apart. Often, the miser’s home has more items because they hoard every little broken free thing that comes along. But the quality, the art of maintaining a beautiful space to be enjoyed, it is not found here.

All quotes: First Entrepreneur by Edward G. Lengel, page 44.