With Thanksgiving coming up, it is a reminder that I have much to be thankful for. And showing off a new project, particularly when it is your own home, has made me especially aware of that. I have written before about things I have learned going through my own renovation, but one of the most important lessons is how much fun it is to share the results with friends and loved ones. Each time you walk someone through, it is an occasion to reflect with renewed joy and appreciation.
As a private person, as well as a perfectionist, sharing personal successes does not come naturally. So when I recently had a group of fellow designer girlfriends come over for drinks to show off my new/old apartment, I was nervous about whether they would like what I had done. Before they arrived, I kept thinking about all the things I was going to say to apologize for it not being completely perfect and with things still to be done here and there. But then I caught myself, and I remembered something a client had told me in sharing her home with friends and family; it doesn’t have to match someone’s taste for people to appreciate the creativity and work that went into it. It made me realize that instead of apologizing, I need to focus on everything I have accomplished and show it off with pride.
In the end, I didn’t have anything to worry about, as my friends kept me talking nonstop with all their questions and comments - “what blue did I use as an accent color for the peninsula”; “where did I get the backsplash tiles from”; “what finish did I choose for the floors”... and on and on. We had to push back our dinner reservation because there was so much to talk about. It was great fun being able to show it off and share all the details that went into every decision, and not surprisingly the parts of the project that were most challenging make the best stories after you are successfully through them. And that is a story for another day…
So this designer would like to wish a joyful start to the holiday season and, if you are welcoming loved ones into your homes, a reminder to embrace and enjoy the season of thankfulness and giving and be proud of what you have to share, whether your home is newly renovated or not.
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