The Next Chapter

This "not your ordinary designer" is writing a new chapter . . . or five. 

When I retired from interior design to take care of my mother, I knew that it was time to pursue my new passion: writing about my research into reincarnation. 

The Not So Secret Life of Emily Elizabeth -- a paranormal mystery, fiction short story gleaned from my research -- is available on Amazon. Click on the image to order your copy.

Life is a series of choices, but for Emily Elizabeth the choice is clear. Or is it?

Old Farts and Toddlers

I recently retired from design to become a full time caregiver for my elderly mother. It has been the roller coaster ride of all time. When I sent my e-Blast out about my retirement, I was over-whelmed by the compassion and support from so many others who have experienced being care givers, who have said how challenging and rewarding it is all at the same time.

Mom is napping at the moment and I am standing guard to prevent the constant interruptions that deprive her of sleep and cause her decline. I'd like to share a few thoughts about the experience. I am calling this short short essay "Old Farts and Toddlers"

Let's face it. Let's tell it like it is. There's a lot of similarities between old folks and babies. I am learning this the hard way - by being my (almost 90 year old) mother's caregiver in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities.  Poor things - unable to eat regular food, reduced to eating puréed mush. Can't tell when they have to - or already did - pee or poop; so surprise! Thank goodness for Depends. Feet and hands don't cooperate, don't move when and where they want them to go. And, oh the mind! What was that word for that object? It's on the tip of my . . . What's that word for that thing in my . . . What's the word for . . .

Fortunately, it has only been a few years since my grandchildren were babies/toddlers - learning how to get around in their bodies, figuring out how to string words together in their ever growing vocabulary, graduating from baby food to finger foods into quite sophisticated palettes. Even though Mom's body is declining in many ways, I adhere to the concept that as some brain cells die from Shy Drager's Syndrome, other cells can connect those brain cells to reprogram and take over old tasks. (for an easy-to-understand demonstration of this concept, watch the movie "What the Bleep.")

I mean no disrespect to Mom and all old folks - let's face it, I am on the same road - but if there is one thing I know for sure it is that I have to keep a sense of humor. There are so many challenges in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities that are maddening, absolutely freaking maddening. Sometimes I feel as if I am in a movie combo of "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" meets "Cool Hand Luke." So here I am advocating for better treatment for Mom, learning daily lessons and laughing with her every chance we get.

Maybe I am not done with design after all because I am seeing the need for objects that address the needs of elders. Maybe "necessity is the mother of invention." Who knows where I will go with that?

Gotta go, baby - I mean, Mom - is waking up from her nap.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

From the "BEFORE" picture, to "floor planning," to the "FINAL REVEAL," my client discovered how much fun it is to transform a so-so room to a haven.

It all started with a desire to find a new TV cabinet and, then, a question: "What do you do with a jog in a wall?" One thing lead to another. Then, the magic happened.

One of the things I loved about this project was utilizing what my client already owned. For instance, we determined early on that we would work around the tribal rug. Next, out came artwork they had collected from their world travels.  A color scheme was developed that complemented it all, a neutral but not boring woven texture for the small sectional, an ottoman that added a "WOW" element and a coordinating texture for the accent chair. The end result - great Feng Shui! In other words, a room that is inviting, comfy and that turned out to be even more than my client dreamed possible at the beginning of the project.

Here's the "BEFORE" photo:

Here's the floor plan:

And, Voila, here's the "AFTER" photo:

Ode to Thomas Jefferson, designer

Thirteen years ago today, I had an experience that showed me my interior design career was different. I designed many model homes. However, the Windward Model was my first million dollar home. I had a decent budget to decorate the model. I loved working with the builder to evaluate the floor plan, select everything from paint colors, tile, cabinetry, and floor coverings inside and out. As I work on a design project, I get a "feeling" for it. It is more than an artistic sense. It is as if I begin to "see" the prospective owners. Here's how this gift played out for the Windward Model.

Accessories can be the fun part of decorating a model but choosing the accessories for the Windward Model was a little challenging when my design assistant and I butted heads about a few paintings that I chose. One was a print of by Anthony Butero's "Bath," a picture of "a naked fat lady" and the other was a print of the portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale. I envisioned the Butero in the guest bath and TJ in the study.

The model sold before it was completed and a meeting was set up with the prospective buyers. I'll never forget that meeting. I met the buyers at the model with the presentation board, which carefully showed the furniture, fabrics and wallpapers as well as the furniture floor plan. I also had a separate folder for all of the accessories chosen for the model, including copies of the "Bath" and "Thomas Jefferson."  The meeting went very well. The buyers loved everything. I wondered if they would like the ones my assistant and I did not see eye-to-eye about.

The Realtor walked in and pulled Mrs. S. away just as I pulled the accessory folder out. I remember saying to Mr. S, "I don't know if you like Thomas Jefferson or not, but I saw this painting going in the study to inspire you." To my surprise, Mr. S. replied, "Not only do I like Thomas Jefferson, but I was born on his birthday." I knew in that moment why the picture "spoke" to me.

It gets better. The Realtor and Mrs. S. rejoined us, and the Realtor said, "Happy Birthday, Mr. S." Simultaneously, Mr. S. and I laughed and replied, "Happy Birthday, T.J.*"

The Windward Model won five awards and was one of my favorite projects. Every now and then, I get the same kind of feeling when I work with a client. It's a special connection that touches my heart and soul.

*Thomas Jefferson, who lived during the time that the British Isles and colonies eventually converted to the Gregorian calendar, instructed that his tombstone bear his date of birth in the Old Style and his date of death in the New Style.^[21] At Jefferson's birth the difference was eleven days between the Julian and Gregorian calendars; thus his birthday of 2 April in the Old Style is 13 April in the New Style. (Wikipedia)

Family Room - Windward Model

Smart Designs by Libby Langdon

Libby Langdon is a designer after my one heart!

Langdon is the sweetheart of no nonsense designs. And she knows how to add details without going over the top.  "My clients don't ask for hot pink velvet chairs," she said. "I give them comfort first and add subtle touches they can live with, like contrasting welt, and pops of color that can easily be changed." Langdon exemplifies the adage I remember from design school, "form follows function."  I love her realistic designs - designs for the way real people live. Smart designs at reasonable prices.

Check it out @  http://libbylangdon.com/index.php 

Thank you, Libby. I can hardly wait 'til the groups we ordered come into Virginia Wayside Furniture. Your collection is one of my favorite things at the BEST Furniture Market ever!

THE GOLDEN RULE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE

Now that the new year is in full swing, many people are looking at the design project that has been on the back burner.

Believe it or not, some folks are afraid to work with an interior designer because they think to do so automatically equates to big bucks. I feel it is important to say that is not necessarily the case.  In fact, my experience has been that working with a designer can actually save you money. Who does not want to do that?

For instance, my client thought they could only use a sofa and chair or their Family Room would be over-crowded. What they really wanted was a sectional. When I created two floor plans* - one with the sofa/chair combo and another with a smaller configuration sectional (the kind with a corner sofa and loveseat)- they were able to "see" how much more open the room would be and how much more seating they would achieve. Mission accomplished.

Yesterday, I had a customer who wanted two recliners but needed help with pulling the right combination of fabrics together to go with other things in the room.  They were so pleased by the process and the final selection. They apologized for having such a small project.  I said, "It does not matter if the project is a small one or a mac-mansion, I have the same philosophy: to take care of my customer by the 'Golden Rule' - the same way I want to be treated."

Imagine what the world would be like if  we all lived our lives by the Golden Rule, if we all treated other people the way we want to be treated.

*If you want a great tool/app for creating a floor plan, I highly recommend "LivingSpaces" by ICOVIA - see image above. It is easy and fun to work with! However, if you are still challenged with figuring out what floor plan works best for you, contact me. I will be glad to help you create the room or home of your dreams.

And the winner is (I hope) Designer Kookies from a Designing Woman

As a lark, I entered my famous - at least at Virginia Wayside - Kookies in the RTD Holiday Cookie Contest and guess what?  It's a finalist.  So, go on-line to register your vote at: http://richmond.upickem.net/engine/YourSubmission.aspx?contestid=112968

Okay, it's a bear submitting the form, but hang in there and help me win!

Here's a repeat of my original blog (November 19, 2012)

The principles of good design can be applied to any aspect of life - even cooking.  The perfect combination of ingredients - whether furniture & fabrics or flour & flavorings - can create a little magic in your life.

Last December, I discovered the Barefoot Contessa's Blue Cheese and Walnut Crackers and filled my kitchen & goody boxes with wondrous smells & flavors.  I also discovered a recipe for Lavender Cookies which was a disaster until I tweeked it.

Just as I like to mix styles of furniture, I found that by mixing these two recipes, I could create an "eclectic" Kookie recipe that even the Contessa would like.

The basic recipe is very simple:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

1 cup Unsalted Butter (I prefer Land of Lakes.) melted
1 cup sugar
1 cup self-rising flour
1 egg

Now, here's where you can creative!  For my Bleu Cheese & Walnut Kookies:

add 4 tablespoons  Bleu Cheese to the batter (more or less - to taste - I use less)

Spoon 1 soup spoon full of batter into a buttered muffin tin (I discovered that a piece of parchment in the bottom of the tin makes it easier to remove the Kookies.  Thanks Jacque and Julie for that tip.) Smooth the batter out in the muffin tin.

Chop walnuts (I prefer a rough cut) & top the batter with the walnuts

Cook for 15-18 minutes until the edges of the Kookies are golden brown.
Let the Kookies cool for about 10 minutes and then take them out of the muffin tin and place them on a cooling rack or, better yet, right into your mouth - don't forget to remove the parchment or you will have a little extra 'fiber' in your diet.  The Kookies will have a crunchy outer edge and a chewy inside and the buttery taste will melt in your mouth.  Enjoy!

The same basic recipe works well with other flavors.  I made Lavender Kookies, Lemon Kookies, Sesame Kookies and can hardly wait to design a new flavor.  And just like designing a home, you can also create the Kookie that's perfect for you!