Some things quintessentially define an era, shag carpet? The 60s and 70s. Boy Bands? The 90s. Golden Oak? The 80s. Perhaps not the worst thing to come out of the 80s, (my hair could top that list), but definitely a ubiquitous feature in homes. Our Coach Hill Project was no exception. There was golden oak – everywhere – except, shockingly the kitchen – because it had been renovated.
Sometimes open concept, isn’t quite the right concept. As was the case at our Bel-Aire Project. The previous owners had done what so many do when updating older homes – they opened it up. The result was a space that lacked function and intimacy.
No design project is a straight line. Despite all the planning, attention to detail, thinking and over thinking (me!) there are always twists and turns, unexpected issues, delays, balls get dropped, it happens. And at our Canyon Meadows Project it all happened. Things I could never have imagined happened … for instance the seller passed away days before my client was set to take possession … perhaps setting the tone for things to come.
Thankfully my client weathered each disappointment and test of patience, even when they felt relentless with a spirit of adventure and sense of humor, because at a certain point all we could do was laugh.
For me the design process has always been a fluid one, navigating unexpected surprises, while maintaining budgets and timelines, but never more so than in the last year and a half. The endless pandemic related shortages and delays, have challenged all of us in the industry and most especially our clients to be nimble and patient.
Nothing could be truer for my clients at our Livingston Project. Having worked hard to build their new home, my sweet clients reached out early to start the furnishing process. Despite the extra lead time we couldn’t get ahead of the Covid supply issues, which had us re-evaluating, re-selecting and finally releasing – trusting that things would show up and be worth the wait. Thankfully, I’m happy to report, that nearly a year to the day we first met, my clients home is complete and it was indeed worth the wait.
Every so often a project comes along that feels like magic, the kind where it seems the stars have aligned perfectly. That was the case with our Altadore project. From amazing clients who trusted me completely, which was both humbling and empowering, to the exciting scope, perfect location, and trades who brought us over the finish line on time – during a global pandemic – this project was a dream.
A couple months ago I was asked to design the main stage for the Calgary Fall Home Show. An undertaking I knew a little something about, as I was a featured designer at the Home + Garden Show earlier this year.