I frequently hang out, virtually, with a group of my design girlfriends.  Conversations happen between us when we are at the beach, on boats, in airports, leaving client’s homes, hanging out with family, and sitting in our offices.

 

It may appear that we spend little time working on our design projects, but the truth is that we are working on them constantly.  This morning I woke up to a group email, from one of my comrades, asking for input on a small project she was working on. 

 

Since we love what we do, it doesn’t always feel like work.  But this one felt like work.

 

The client wanted her master bedroom to feel fresh and airy.  The bedroom was small and naturally dark.

 

The walls were painted deep pine green.  The white ceilings appeared to be standard at 8′ tall and there was a dated flush mount light fixture hanging in the middle of the room.

 

The room held a king sized bed and bulky espresso brown case goods; which included a large dresser, an armoire, two bedside chests (nightstands) and an occasional chair.  There was also a mirror, framed with mirror, hanging above the heavy espresso dresser.

 

The fabrics in the room included bedding and draperies.  The bedding was gold with a pink beige undertone.  The floral linen draperies were gold and olive green.  They were drab, but matched the bedding and were well made.

 

Although, this isn’t verbatim to how the story went, the client pretty much said everything has to stay because it was either expensive or it works with everything else in the house and, besides, she wants to move and she doesn’t want to put money into the house (even though, her husband is not willing to move) and no other paint color will do, but she wants another paint color and wants her room to look fresh and airy like the inspiration picture she has.

 

I don’t know if all decorators are natural pleasers, but the ones I know are and a job like this kills us because it’s a set-up for days of angst.  How can this client possibly be pleased when she has given impossible parameters?  Thankfully, these situations are rare.

 

In the client’s defense, I understand not wanting to let go of things that are perfectly good. But in all realms of life, there is a general rule that will bring success every time:

 

Get rid of what’s not working, so that you can have what you really want!