Did they really pay someone to write this?

Am I missing something, or does this article seem like a literal waste of space? Do people really need advice on how to buy books for their country houses? Is this newsworthy? Or even advice-worthy? For real? Sometimes, when I feel bad about myself as a writer, I see an article like this and I think: "These assholes will pay anyone to write about anything." And then I feel much better. If you understand basic grammar, you too can be published in The New York Times.