It has been a crazy last few days. Thursday, the next batch of prototypes for my eco friendly line of upholstery were delivered. They are better than I could have imagined. We had to scramble to finish putting the beds together and get the house cleaned before my parents arrived that afternoon. It was chaos. In the middle of the cleaning, hanging the last pictures, and getting things finished, the photographer arrived for the pre brief (we are shooting tomorrow). To say we were stressed would be a gross understatement. Even the kids looked like they were in a labor camp. We have *&*&^#@ finished. I've blogged about the challenges of this move, finding a house to live in, then making an older home work with my furnishings, and of course there is the whole starting over, AGAIN. There is another part of this story. The woman who owns this house originally lived in it and lovingly restored the 1890 part and built a large addition. She was a former funds manager who, for the past few years has been renovating older homes. She, her husband and their little girl are also our neighbors and quickly becoming friends too. She was working on a project two houses down the street with plans to sell when it was finished. When the real estate market slowed, they decided to move into that house and rent this one until the market came back. If you have ever put tenants in a house, you've renovated or added an addition too, you know how hard that is. I had a similar situation with the house my husband and I own in Florida. It is difficult to see others peoples's stuff in "your" house. So back to the story. The first family that rented the house from my neighbor were very nice people, but the house required many repairs when they moved out. So along comes Kristin. I can't find a house in the area and I'm (my husband to) freaking out. My neighbor needed a tenant and a makeover for the interior. It was a mutual save. I told her I'd make the house look amazing and she gave me cart blanche to do so. Saturday night, I had a party to unveil the house. I had a couple of our friends who live in the area over and she had her friend from NY come too. It also just happened to be my birthday. I had not let her in the house to see any of the progress as it unfolded. This was her first time to see everything. I knew she would like it, but I didn't know her personality well enough to know exactly how she'd react. It was the flipping best. Every room I took her into she was so excited. Her friend from NY was an absolute trip. I don't know which one was more dramatic. My friend's line of the night was "put on your depends" (for the pants wetting moments). It was the best birthday present ever. It must be how the designers on TV feel when the people see their redesigned rooms for the first time. I did get a shot or too of the reactions even though they are a little blurry and the lighting wasn't great. I'll of course show y'all the professional shots when they are done. It is the facial expressions that I love. How about the hand on the forehead. That is just the best.
Next week I'll post some shots of the transformation. I have some really great (as in "not so great") befores. I'm also posting this to Met Monday over at Between Naps on the Porch. Check it out.
What a great story! I can't wait to see all of the before and afters.
Posted by: Stephanie | August 31, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Yay! I can't wait to see it. Don't you just love it when they get that excited! It's like you just want to videotape that moment and replay it over and over again. Congratulations on a great job!
Posted by: Dream Mom | August 31, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Oh How fun. I have just started getting to know you and I would love to hear your whole story. We are in that starting all over stage-hubby is back in school after working for -cough sputter gag- Lehman Brothers.
Cheri
cheri.peoples@live.com
its so very cheri
and I hope you post each room on the knock off party
Posted by: Cheri Peoples | August 31, 2009 at 05:53 PM
OMG, I can't wait to see the before/after shots. Which one is the owner and which one is the friend?
Posted by: Cheryl Drohan | August 31, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Oh what fun!
Love your blog!
Posted by: sandy | September 01, 2009 at 09:28 AM
Happy Birthday Kristin. I can't wait to see the photos. Hey did I see them drinking our martinis???
Posted by: Paula | September 02, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Of course they were drinking martinis. Would you expect anything less?
Posted by: Kristin | September 02, 2009 at 07:26 PM
I just read this! I cannot wait to see the pictures. Wonderful facial expressions! I'm so glad you had a great birthday :) Looking forward to seeing you soon!!
Posted by: Paula Grace | September 06, 2009 at 09:14 PM
Looks like a FUN gathering to show off the home!
Posted by: Fifi Flowers | September 08, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Okay were those the grapefruit martinis? I can still taste them and that was almost 6 months ago! Can't wait to see the after pictures it might help you realize it was worth it all (the move I mean!). So glad you had a great birthday (other than being carded for buying the vodka/gin what could be a better birthday present!)! Also super glad you had a great vacation; I am sure your whole family is glad you had a vacation too!!
Post those after pictures soon!
Posted by: M in G | September 12, 2009 at 12:19 AM