If you think about it, what we do decorating for others is a pretty intimate proposition.  After all, who else gets to spend their money and touch their stuff?  Having the chance to personalize the only part of the planet reserved for our client’s family and friends is a privilege.  So, for us as relative strangers, it’s flattering to be a part of something so personal.

Last week, we finished a decorating project that began back in January.  Just like most of our projects, it involved lots of “spending” and “touching”.  :-)  Time and money were spent sourcing new furniture, reupholstering older, beloved pieces and finding the perfect art and accessories.  And when it was all said and done, we’d touched almost every inch of the family areas in this Schaumburg, Illinois home.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Our shopping & to-do list to refresh and restyle most of the home’s first floor was a long one:  new wall color, carpet, baseboards, light fixtures, lamps, window treatments & hardware, new sofas, chairs, end tables, foyer console, corner media unit, re-upholstering two wingback chairs, matching ottomans and two storage cubes.  As if that weren’t enough, of course we planned to blend a few, new accessories and art pieces with a lifetime of collected treasures to bring everything together.

BEFORE

AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEFORE

BEFORE

Whether shopping or meeting to discuss our progress, we were in frequent contact with the homeowners, Bernie & Joy.  During major projects like this one, frequent communication helps ensure a successful outcome.  Good communication is the basis for any good relationship.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Over the weeks it took to bring everything together, we received text and email notes about one subject or another.  No matter what was going right or even wrong at the time, Joy kept me updated with photos and notes about our progress.  More often that not, I noticed she signed her messages “Joyous”.

I’ll admit that it’s easy to get lost in the process.  Wanting everything to be just right, I can obsess about every detail.  Each time I read her ‘joyous’ words, I was reminded decorating is largely a privilege rather than a necessity.  And since there’s no such thing as a decorating emergency, it was ok to take time to enjoy the process as much as the end result.

Living Room coffee table vignette

After everything was done, Joy and Bernie sent me a wonderful ‘Thank You’ note.  She told me again how much they love their newly updated home.  She went on to say that, even thought it had only been a few days, she missed all the texts and emails hopeful we’d stay in touch.

Custom faux floral centerpiece

Decorating is definitely an intimate business.  And while I get to spend their money and touch their stuff, when it’s aIl said and done, it feels like I’ve left a small part of myself with every client I help.  Joyous decorating is the best decorating of all!