Akademik

Не красна изба углами, а красна пирогами
It is the hospitality of the hosts that makes the house attrac tive, but not its decor. See Не дом хозяина красит, а хозяин дом (H)
Cf: A fine cage does not fill a bird's belly (Br.). A fine cage won't feed the /hungry/ bird (Am.). The house is a fine house when good folks are within (Br.)

Русско-английский словарь пословиц и поговорок. . 2013.