It's so much more than Decorating

Recently I taught a class in New Jersey with Carol Bass.  Our first home of the week was owned by a woman, who had purchased her parent's home which had originally had been her grandparent's home.  There was chaos everywhere, in every room, in every corner.  I think the house was so caught up in three generations of life, it didn't know what or more importantly, "who" it should be.  When we talked to the owner, you could see that this chaos was impacting her day to day life. She was distracted, overwhelmed, and unhappy.  We had a horrible time to get her to leave the house as I believe she was so afraid of losing the small amount of control that she had and leaving the house in the hands of strangers was terrifying to her.  Finally, with much reassurance, she left "the house" and returned a few hours later to the beginnings of "Her Home."   You saw the transformation taking place in her as she walked around the space.  Gone were the 25 years old window treatments, in their place was a look that was much more 'today."  Gone were the years of magazines, papers, clutter, and tchotkes that were choking the room. The new room blended all three generations and most importantly, it now looked like she belonged...it was and can be HER house.  She was smiling and excited about the new potential she saw in the house.  As I watched her, I thought, "whoa, do we all get, that what we do is so much more than decorating?"  It is not just about the visual or aesthetics ..it is truly about the emotional. Interior Decorating and it's various niches, empower people to love what they have, love what they add, and love being where they are at.  How fortunate we are to be blessed with talent that blesses others.  JoAnne

Comments

[Jeff Rice, Decor Designs, Inc.]

JoAnne and others.. That is so true!!! We really are blessed to be able to touch people in such a personal and inspirational way.
I recently completed a project for a client (and friend) that has been "collecting treasures" for over 15 years. She has tons of great "stuff" to work with but unfortuanately she always added without ever editing out. It was to the point where you couldn't appreciate anything because there was no cohesiveness or thought behind the decorating.
After we removed everything, repainted a nice neutral palette and redesigned the space, she and her husband both were in awe. She said, "We never knew our "stuff" could look this good!" Haven't we all heard that before? But it's nice hearing it each and every time!
Now, they are so much more protective of their new "look" and love showing it off. They recently had a party for almost 75 people which I attended. It was so awesome seeing the pride in their faces as people fawned all over them about the redesign.
Thank you for reminding us that it's really about more than just decorating.

Jeff Rice
www.decordesignsinc.com

[Annie Doherty]

Thanks JoAnne for reminding me on the day after the stock markets dived why we are making a difference in peoples lives one home at a time.

[Kathryn Bechen]

What a wonderfully touching story and so true!

[Ron Wolf]

So True-Blessed are those who inherit a newly Decorated space!