Have you ever designed a room? How about an entire house? One from the ground up? Sounds like a dream, right? Maybe. How about designing for someone who isn't you and in collaboration with a professional? Suddenly, it's not so simple. Pick some furniture...a sofa, some tables, maybe a rug, that should do it. Wrong! There are also the many, many details from lamps, to centerpieces, bedding, throw pillows, ect. It all takes a lot of time, and in 2020 it also takes A LOT of patience!
Back in January, as Mike and I were on our way out of town for what would be the last normal thing we did pre-Covid, my Father in Law shocked us and put down a deposit on a new custom built home. A nice suburban neighborhood townhouse community, five minutes from us. Previous to this decision, he had lived in the same apartment for 30+ years. We were of course aware that for the last two or so years he had been out looking for a new place, but it didn't seem like he was ever going to make the decision to actually buy. While, surprised, we were excited for him, plus it would be nice to have him here in the same neighborhood. After returning from Florida, he invited Mike and I to sit in on the home building decision making process. We helped choose flooring, cabinets, hardware and light fixtures, just to name a few things. We really learned a lesson in the home building/design process, and after a short delay (thanks Covid), the house was completed this past August, and is BEAUTIFUL!
As the builder's were building and summer hit, the discussions turned to what things my Father in Law may want to take with him to the new home, what things he may want to replace, and what things he may want to buy brand new. He again surprised us by announcing other than his small appliances, towels, sheets, and dinner wear, he was not going to be taking any furniture. He did eventually settle on taking a computer chair, a couple end tables, a runner, a TV with stand, and a twin mattress and box spring for the guest room, but for the most part he was going to be starting fresh and would need EVERYTHING, so we suggested he employ an interior designer. Enter Nicole, one of my best friends and cousins. She has been working as a professional interior designer for well over a decade. It would be a great side job for her and a way to save him a little cash. What I didn't realize at the time was I was also volunteering myself to play Designer's Assistant.
Nicole and I got started in July. Luckily, her and I are great friends and even though we have different design tastes, I knew we would get along and be able to compromise. We spent hours on our weekends in furniture stores, with measuring tapes, sample patterns, and colors. Talking to sales reps, writing up invoices, and checking in with "the client". We also spent many more hours at home accessory stores, looking for things most of us never even think about such as fake greenery, salt and pepper shakers, and flameless candles (every piece counts)! Some days we would make out well, others we would not but it was fun hanging out with my friend, seeing what she does for a living, and helping my Father in Law at the same time.
Covid also delayed all the furniture as you can imagine, but finally this past weekend, a great deal of it was delivered and his BEAUTIFUL new house is finally starting to feel like a home. It was exciting to see the vision the three of us drew up in our heads finally start to come together. While there is still quite a bit of work to be done, and it probably won't actually wrap up til early 2021, we are now on the back end of this project. Although, it is fun to see it all start to come together, it also makes me a little sad. I will for sure miss all the extra time I have gotten to spend with my friend. We have not hung out in this capacity since before husbands and kids so it has been a treat. As someone who enjoys refinishing old furniture, and playing designer in my own home, the whole project has been a great learning experience. I even think Nicole and I could open our own staging and design business if we truly wanted. What kind of home projects did you take on during quarantine?
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