Too proud of your home to shut the curtains? Pull yourself together

The wealthy seem to love showing off their houses in all their World of Interiors glory. But they're playing with fire

A startling discovery in the Atlantic: apparently not closing your curtains, or not even having any, is a status symbol. Americans who earn more than $150,000 are almost twice as likely to leave windows uncovered as those making $20,000 to $29,000," the article explained, quoting US Department of Energy research, and highlighting examples of the affluent curtainless (Patagonia-rocking and $28-cheeseburgers-served-in-mason-jars-eating herds" is one withering description of the uncurtained demographic).

But have you ever bought curtains? They're viciously expensive. In everywhere I have ever lived, if the previous occupants have been kind enough to leave any, we've kept them for precisely this reason, regardless of style. Cerise padded satin? Giant swirls? Yes, and yes, with heartfelt thanks. Surely having and closing curtains, showing off your pricey blackout and thermal linings, is more of a statement?

Emma Beddington is a Guardian columnist