It’s here, it’s here! Our Ring alarm alerted the arrival of a UPS delivery. I ran to retrieve the box from the porch, nearly tripping over our kitty in the process. Wow, this came in record time - I hope it’s as great as it looks on the website. I had high hopes that the contents would be just the inspiration I needed.
“Wow, that’s a big carton!” called out Jane, my next-door neighbor and fellow shopping BFF. “Do you need help getting it in the house and what’s in there anyway?”
She arrived at my door a few minutes later. “I couldn’t help but notice that you’ve been receiving quite a few packages lately,” she ventured. “What in heavens name are you doing?”
“Well, I’m redecorating the master bedroom, and I’ve ordered a few things to see how they’d look.”
“Umm, shouldn’t you decide on a color scheme and choose carpet and paint first? Maybe hire the decorator I suggested a few weeks ago?
I know she had meant well but I wasn’t so sure about needing a decorator. I’d remodeled and redecorated six different houses in as many states over the years, and if I say so myself, I’m pretty darned good at it. This latest project was another opportunity for yet another adventure into the world of paint chips and furniture styles.
On the other hand, a second opinion certainly wouldn’t hurt. I decided to invite the decorator and see what she might come up with.
A week or so later; Jane came knocking. “Anyone home?” Her voice could be heard through the open window. “Are you ready to show me the ‘big reveal?’ I brought a bottle of champagne to pop open and celebrate your new creation.”
My shopping pal brushed past me before I could say “not really” and opened the master bedroom door. Her eyes grew wide with delight and excitement as she surveyed my new oasis. “Wow!” she exclaimed. “This is amazing! The colors are so vibrant, and everything goes together so well. I really love the way it comes together. Did the decorator I suggested do all of this for you?”
“Not really,” I replied hesitantly, “She was very nice and I do appreciate the introduction. As you can see, she had quite a few suggestions.” I motioned to several large design boards covered in a broad array of swatches and custom color chips displayed on easels. Bolts of suggested fabrics and upholstery choices leaned on the wall next to the display, along with a half-dozen pieces of artwork still sitting in boxes on the floor. My Master Bedroom had turned into a design studio.
As Jane surveyed the scene, her eyes rested on one, smaller board tucked away in the corner of the room. Photos torn from Architectural Digest and Better Homes and Garden were affixed with tape, together with scraps of fabric and paint chips from Home Depot.
“What’s this?” she asked, a little confused.
“Oh, that’s the “vision board” I put together before the decorator came,” I replied.
“But what’s THIS?” she insisted, pointing to a small object tacked to the piece of cardboard. “This is not something you normally find in a bedroom!”
“Oh, that!” I giggled. “You see, when I redecorate, I often find inspiration from unusual sources. Sometimes I find a pillow with a pattern or a design I like. Other times I use something a bit more unusual. For example, I once remodeled an entire kitchen around a piece of antique china I found on eBay.”
“For the bedroom, I was looking for just the right combination of colors and style and just couldn’t find it. As much as she tried, the decorator couldn’t either. Then, when I was shopping in Target, I came across this fantastic potholder. The colors and pattern really caught my eye and that was that.”
“So, your entire bedroom redecoration was designed around that one little kitchen accessory?”
“Yup,” I responded, “and now the bedroom looks just like I wanted. I guess I take a slightly different approach when I decorate, but it works for me.”
As we toasted my new retreat, I couldn’t help but be a little proud of my accomplishment. After all, who needs a decorator, I’ve got a potholder.
© 2024 Annie Sokoloff
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