think_about

07. 09 "Charlotte, here’s my opinion for what it is worth. I think you have a God given gift to be able to visualize what people are trying to create and

will guide them through. Each garden is different because you want people to make it there own so you force them to think on their own as well

(not an easy task). We could never ever have started this project if we didn’t put our faith in you. We really didn’t know for the most part what we were doing. I can’t count how many times I read your notes to look for info. Then, oh there it is!” I know we made errors along the way and the top half of

the yard is what we are really pleased with how it turned out. Why? Because you guided us. I wanted to use the perennials from the backyard they are some favorites, and I tried to use them in the front. I am amazed that they took. I guess all the rain helped. When you come over I know you will be

able to help with putting the finishing touches that are lacking and you will see. Landscaping is a business, rightly so. However you give it your personal touch and there lies a huge difference. We may not live long enough to achieve a paradise like yours but the enjoyment we will have puttering around

in it everyday will be endless. Initially it was to be my flower garden (it was the past 40ish yrs) but somehow it became our garden now. Gosh,

that man is in it all the time." Eileen

MAXIMIZE YOUR SQUARE FOOTAGE

With clutter reduction, restyling and repurposing of the existing furniture, even the smallest space can take

on a new, upscaled look that functions perfectly. Wasted corners can be redesigned to serve as an eating

table, or a work space. Unnecessary items, such as the stove if you don't cook, can be removed so an

orderly open concept, in-home office could be set up without wasting any addition square footage. Wall-to-

wall curtain panels can be hung to create the illusion of considerably more space while allowing the view of

the city lights in at night. Using floor to ceiling art adds height to a room, and expanding curtains from wall

to wall will elude to a much larger window and space. Keep in mind fashion and form should always

FOLLOW function in your living space; if it isn't working in all possible ways, it doesn't matter how great it

looks it's not giving you what you need. Brian Gluckstein, a world renowned interior designer was once interviewed by Linda Reeves in his apartment. They were in the kitchen and she made an inquiry about

the kitchen considering he 'never ate in' to which he responded; "it's extra storage" and confessed all his

extra linens and winter sweaters, etc. were stored in the cabinets with closed faces and even the oven,

which he said he'd never turned on, was used for storage, something his compact apartment didn't have

enough of. Of course, storage is all relative and regardless of how big your home may be, most home

owners will still say they have insufficient space to store their stuff. We all have it, it is what it is, and even

with editing, unless a minimalist in which case you ARE the edit, all of us have issues with excessive

belongings and sometimes changing the function of a space, or a room allows us to have what is currently bulging out of the far too small place we've jammed it into. that doesn't mean you shouldn't try and carefully remove some of the things you KNOW you can't truly justify and it doesn't mean you can't store

clothes in your oven if it is never turned on. Look for storage everywhere; you'd be surprised at the

space you can find.

Eileen attended a landscaping class and at the end asked if I would come and have a look at her and John's

front yard. They live in one of the newer housing developments where everyone has a drainage hose sunk

or lying in a gully between the adjoining properties. Neither of them wanted anything remotely typical (cookie cutter) or unimaginative and Eileen wanted to be able to sit on her front patio (part of a lengthy wish list) and watch her garden mature and expand. She had a lot of ideas which John picked up, one being a suggestion relating to those of Eileen's and with far less help than they give me credit for, they took the loosely formed

plan and created something unique, completely different to their neighbors in so many ways and the perfect

spot for Eileen to enjoy their accomplishments. John's reaction to the broken concrete was initially 'negative'

but as you can see, he warmed up to it.

Ken C, a man of many talents had moved from a ridiculously crowded (stuff & books by the ton) one bedroom apartment into a studio condominium and let's

just say he was space challenged. When I met him, he explained he'd spoken with another designer who had a lot of impractical solutions and he was looking

for something better suited is life style. We spent a lot of time establishing exactly what that life style needed to include and how to make this very tiny, alcove

bedroom space work for him and his 'stuff'. The best part was he was a participant in the reinvention of his non-descript living space and each time I arrived,

he'd changed, added or had a 'new idea' some of which worked, and some needed tweeking but between the two of us, this uninteresting space became a

highly functioning home for Ken. He had little use for the kitchen as he didn't eat in so he removed the stove, stored it in the surprisingly large space that housed

his furnace, washer and dryer, and a good portion of his books, albeit already edited by hundreds. In place of the stove, he'd built (in the parking lot of the

building) a desk unit that was retrofited into that area of the kitchen and he now had a home office. Pre-existing period furniture (Eames chairs, and other

mid-century modern pieces) was slowly being refinished either by him or a professionall, dependant on what needed to be done, and the apartment was taking

on an interesting personality.The patio window with a 2' deep Juliet balcony made the space feel narrow thus making the whole room feel smaller so we went with

an IKEA concept of panels, floor to ceiling and wall to wall to create the appearance of a larger window and, therefore, a larger living space. Eventually we

figured it all out and it did as we'd hoped. At night, it is see through, in the day time, it can be opened or closed as mood desires, and the silly balcony became

a feature in the room. New light fixtures were added as Ken appreciated both task and ambient lighting so along with the over head lights in the kitchen and hallway, there was always a 'mood' he could create. His closet space was small so it became an open concept, focal point of the other end of the apartment and

allowed him to access it without rummaging through a crammed space. Following the rule of hanging art, "there aren't any rules", he personalized the space

to suit himself and the tiny room became a lovely, comfortable living space perfectly suited to his needs. I know a few people who have never shopped for a

single item of furniture or decor in their home; how is that home personal. Regardless of whether you need help choosing, ultimately there has to be some of

YOU in that space in order for your house to be a home. Voice an opinion - we all have thoughts on what we like.