See this spiral chandelier (above)? I couldn't find the big one on-line but this one is 6 feet long and 4 ft wide. To get it inside their cottage, the sliding glass doors had to be removed. To get it installed, four men and a scissor lift. To go through that to get a chandelier installed? You need to know beyond a doubt that it will look amazing! Hopefully I'll get some updated pictures later!
The couple (one of whom is a designer) said it currently feels like they are in a coffin, because there's way too much pine.
I love that they are leaving the window wall untouched and all the rest of the wood trim to keep the cottage feel.
So then I got to thinking, what have I done as a designer that took guts and vision?
Here's a few on my list:
1. I was 30 years old and decided I had to be creative or die. So I went to work at a paint store tinting paint, selling and conducting colour consultations.
Over and over and over, until I got really good at it.
Working in a paint store is NOT glamorous. When you're 20, it's fine, late 30's? That took guts.
2. Got myself fired a lot until out of pure survival, I created a colour blog. Then much to my surprise and delight, got really successful doing it!
3. Patricia Kramer recommended me to the Dean at Vancouver Community College as a colour theory instructor to teach a 10 week course as part of their interior design program.
I was advised that I could write the entire curriculum. So I did. And taught it for 3 years until I left to teach my own three day colour training.
4. Custom furniture and drapery. I do 99% of my OWN check measures on all hard window coverings and drapery for my clients. I had a designer show me how to do it years ago with one client and I've done it myself ever since. Considering how expensive custom window coverings are, that's gutsy.
5. Ordering a sunflower yellow sofa for my living room. Whenever I see a space where strong colour has been used to great effect, I think that takes guts.
Now over to you, my lovelies, what's the gutsiest thing you've ever done?
