There are moments in your life that you can’t really appreciate at the time. After I had my first child, the corporate environment of the foundation where I was working began to chafe. It got harder and harder to stay there, away from that baby, if I didn’t love it. And I didn’t love it.
So I left to stay home and devote myself to motherhood. For about six months. Then I started to get a little crazy. A few people had asked me to help with their houses and I thought it might be a good time to give it a go. Fun and flexible. Not a million meetings. No performance review to write. Perfect.
I really had very little idea what I was doing, so a decorator I had used kindly took me in and showed me the ropes. But who would hire me? I mean, really. I was a broadcasting major who had worked in not-for-profit for ten years. Then someone did.
A woman I had worked with at the Foundation called. She’d heard I was in the business and she was interviewing decorators, and was I interested? Well, sure. She’s fabulous; likely the smartest person I know who just happens to have amazing taste.
She was moving, but we met at the old house and she showed me a rug and her two favorite sweaters. At that moment, I didn’t know if she would like my work, but I knew we spoke the same language.
The project was a dream; it moved in phases over the course of several years. Most things went right; a few things went wrong. But we got to be friends and we had a great time and we certainly laughed a lot.
My dear friend moved to the west coast a few months ago. She invited me over before she left and we talked about what to take and what to leave. She generously gifted me some of her chairs.
We didn’t talk every day, or even every month, but I do miss her.
She’s doing just fine in her new digs and loving so much being closer to her family.
I ran across these pictures this weekend as I was cleaning up some files. Ten years later I look back and wonder what led her to allow me to mess with her nest. Lucky for me she has a high tolerance for risk.
Very very beautiful! Its funny – I had a leap of faith early in my career too. I look back on that and wonder why they allowed me to do their house?
Which chairs did she give you?
Very beautiful!!!
Joni
Lovely. What a great first project. Your work really stood the test of time 🙂
I was doubly blessed – she took the chance and was a delight. Thank heavens I did not have a difficult one right off the bat. She gave me the four chairs in the breakfast room and the two caned ones on the porch. I could have had more, but did not have the space. She’s the best.
Thanks, Courtney – the ultimate complement.
Very interesting! Do you continue to do design work now? I remember that you work in an antique store a few days a week, but did not know that you did a bit of design work too.
Beautiful, and yes, they certainly stood the test of time! You have alot to be proud of!!!
what a warm lovely house!
Inspire – I do a bit of decorating. My youngest son is 4 – Pre-K – so I don’t have a ton of time. My clients are mostly friends and friends of friends. I’ve been so lucky as most folks have been so easy to work with. I have a huge inferiority complex as I do not have a degree, but am a bit school-phobic at this point. We’ll see what happens as #3 son heads off to school.
Lovely work. If you are ever in the Northern Virginia area, consider me a potential client!
Kathleen – that is a great compliment, thank you.
You did a wondeful job that looks just as good today.
Who could ask for more?
HBC – oh, my. Higher praise cannot be had.
You have the best job in the world–one where you can be with your family, help your friends and indulge in your artistic passion. You are obviously talented at all three! Fantastic work!
Brilliant – on a good day, it feels like that. On the day the hide comes and it’s the wrong color – or one of the millions of things that can go wrong goes wrong – I wonder. But all in all, I love it.
What a great story! I wish everyone would carpe diem and just do what they love. I think the world would be a happier place if they did!
Chic – I can’t tell you how happy I am that I shed the suit! The thought of going back to that type of environment makes me cringe. It was a very nice place to work , it was just not a good fit. I’m so much happier elbow deep in fabric samples.
The ferns on the porch are luscious!
Yes, she has a way with outside that I envy.
You are very talented! And lucky to find such a great client. I feel lucky to have the clients I have as well. You are an inspiration! 🙂