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HOUSE TOUR: 90-Year-Old Interior Designer at Peak of Career

Gizmo

last year

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Zalco/bring back Sophie!

last year

I like the kitchen. Not cooking is a goal of mine. And he lives in the perfect neighborhood for that. One of my sons calls our modern kitchens, Kitchen themed dining rooms.

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Jilly
last year
Oh my goodness, I’ve long been an admirer of his, this was such a nice video to watch.

I’ve seen lots of photos of his work and this beautiful house — I so enjoyed seeing it all in a tour. He has such wonderful treasures and taste … his designs are gracious without being stuffy. His fun personality shines through his work.

It made me sad that he recently got fired due to his age; I’d be so honored to have his expertise and experience.

Love the telephone story! I didn’t know that one. :)

Thank you, Gizmo, that was such a treat!
Gizmo thanked Jilly
niccidhg
last year
I think it would be a pleasure and an honor to be in the presence of Mr. Minton discussing just about any topic on earth. I just love his sense of humor and think it is so cute the way he makes himself laugh. I enjoy his reverence for the history behind things and the way he conveys things, too. What a charming gentleman - and a font of interesting stories!
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Whoa, if you get a degree in industrial arts you get to acquire carpentry textbooks along the way?!? Sweet! Kim, I've always enjoyed/appreciated your contributions; given the wisdom of trial and error that was behind them, I see why they stood out. My mom got us a couple of the Reader's Digest fixit books (have to run downstairs, one of them might be the very one you have); I like the way they are encyclopedic and detailed. I know Jane Powell but not the Small Houses books (do you mean The Not So Big stuff by Susanka, or the Small House anthologies from Fine Homebuilding?) Thanks for mentioning books; I think I might start a reference book thread for this forum. Hey Casey, THANKS for taking the bait. And you are NOT a bloody genius, you are an old house DEITY for crying out loud! Would you please start your own show on youtube? Or maybe just a house tour? Even Petch house has youtube videos. Or, do you already have a project blog and everyone knows about it but me? Actually for someone with a degree in historic preservation, I am impressed with how low-key your posts come across; they read more like an old friend who's "been there" and wants to pass along lessons learned along the way, it's really very nice and encouraging. But if you ever want to browbeat me feel free; I would take it as a compliment. To be honest if I post about something I'm thinking of doing to my house, and you don't opine, I figure one of two things is going on: 1) you're not on the forum; or 2) you're politely disapproving. Most of the time I assume it's 2 because you seem to be pretty consistent around here. But I just want to say, and I hope I speak for many, that I love love love your posts, especially when I'm searching on a problem I'm trying to solve and something from you pops up! (PS I finally got around to using that general finishes gel varnish you recommended and it was fantastic, thank you; I will post photos to the woodworking forum sometime before the next census.) Oh, and I love the way you "aged" the color tones in the new pine beadboard in your kitchen; reminds me of the pine in my grandmother's kitchen. When I was really little I used to look at the gleaming pores and think it was the closest wood could get to 24K gold.
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Comments (43)
I had two different estimators here - carpeting is on plain plywood subfloor. To install anything other than carpeting means removing the toilet, installing a more robust subfloor/durock etc, then putting down tile/LVT/LVP etc. The cost of the tile or vinyl is negligible - the cost of the labor per bathroom is the expense. I'm sorry but this one shouldn't be up for discussion as anyone coming into the house will take one look at carpet in the bathroom, make a face and leave. Sheet vinyl would be a better choice even. BAD idea to 'test the market' then 'adjust'. You are only *fresh* once. Take advantage of it. Otherwise the 'adjusting' you will do will be to lower your price. Exactly. If your agent is telling you that, then she's not as good as you believe her to be. You don't test the market because in the long run if you have it priced too high, it will sit longer on the market, people will wonder what's wrong with it when the price drops and then you'll wind up most likely with LESS than if you had priced it right the first time. SEND sweet mojo that this couple who is enchanted makes an offer on our house! Boy that would be great if that happens. Sending good vibes!
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Comments (69)
Well said, Rorah. I absolutely respect your opinion on the topics we’ve discussed here specifically even though we disagree. And do agree that criticizing how people speak is a poor way to change behavior when often there are underlying issues that need to be addressed with tact and compassion. Not all the speech patterns and/ or affectations we’ve discussed are fads, but not all are indications of lack of confidence either. I know I am very influenced by the opinions of my daughter who in her early 30’s is in a male dominated profession with fewer than 10% female representation. I will offer one last thought on the topics of vocal fry and uptalk, my opinion and theory only, and that is as there are fewer opportunities to sing the variety and prevalence of such patterns will increase. Group singing used to be a very common activity— in churches, schools, and families. It’s no longer a widespread form of entertainment and many young children are no longer taught to sing. People who enjoy singing, either in informal groups or school choruses or hymns or at home, do not seem to develop the type of vocal anomalies we’ve been discussing.
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"Later" careers ...
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Comments (38)
Interesting regarding the shift in roles as we age. I would actually love and embrace the opportunity to be more of a mentor/consultant than a mover and shaker! Kind of like leading from the bottom lol! I see a move to that kind of role as the culmination of all my work to date-- I have a unique range of skills and wide range of experience that I think is quite valuable. I am much more creative than many of my younger peers because I have had such a wide range of experiences to borrow from and adapt to current needs. I wouldnt think of it as ageism if I were offered these kinds of roles-- I would be honored. Not sure if my industry makes a difference -- but I am in software development (and all things related to it from conceptualizing to user acceptance to training/support .. but mostly designing and implementing software) I have said multiple times in the last year that this will be my last new development project. I DO mentor my teams and I do bring creative solutions but I have lost the desire and drive to manage the whole team for the whole duration. I'd like to do quick hit stints to help get a new project off the ground -- or to give guidance to a project that's gone off the rails. Short stints! Luckily for me, my company embraces the experience and value from "older workers"... at almost 60, I am far from one of the oldest employees. I can think of a handful who are in their 70s still working FT. My goal is to shift my role amd move to PT on new or special projects. I would love that. In my world/my industry, Ageism would most likely rear its head if my recommendations were ignored or if I was pushed out to managing maintenance projects. I may CHOOSE to go there myself but I wouldn't want to be told that's what my new role. I DO recognize that ageism is real-- I know others who have experienced it. I just feel blessed that it isnt something I have had to deal with -- and won't likely unless I change jobs/employers. Many interesting side topics here ... thank you, Ida for sharing your thoughts and opening the discussions!
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Annie Deighnaugh
last year
last modified: last year
What an interesting person. Quite the history. It doesn't appear that he has any formal training in interior design at all. So really quite the achievement. I have a feeling part of the story is missing...how did the bank know to ask him to redo the rooms and how did he know he could do it and had an interest in such work? His rooms are beautifully done even if on the busy side for my tastes. Fascinating that the living room was moved from England via Hearst. And yet another designer who doesn't really care what the kitchen is like as he never cooks...

He kept saying "we" but I don't know if he's referring to his wife, if she's passed on, or what his living arrangement is now, but it seems as if he's alone now. I love his attitude!

And yet another designer using animal print. I really gotta get me some...
Jilly
last year
Annie, they’d seen how he decorated his house:

https://fwtx.com/home-design/fort-worths-most-iconic-designer/

“When I worked with the trust department of the Continental Bank, the chairman, who was a friend and neighbor, knew that I had design ability from just seeing my house and being my friend,” Minton says. “So, he asked me to design the two top floors of the bank, which at the time was the tallest building in Fort Worth. And I got David Corley to help, and it turned out to be a fabulous job.”
elcieg
last year
last modified: last year
Look at him! Ninety years old, full of humor, talent, mind as sharp as if he were 30. I have a suggestion for his next 10 years: teach a Fine Arts course at post graduate level. Amazing man.

Reminds me of our MA license plates. The lower the number, the more prestigious heit is.

My grandfather's plate was under 800. Still in the family.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
last year
I’d trip over one of many hundreds of table or chair legs and break a hip within the first five minutes.
llitm
last year
Senior goals!
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
I didn't want a big playroom!

What a wonderful gentleman. Thank you for the delightful visit.

Interior design as an academic subject is relatively new. My favorite designer, Nina Campbell, has no formal training. I suspect many of the grand names in the field did not study formally, but rather underwent an informal apprenticeship.
LynnNM
last year
What a lovely gentleman, and so talented! The youngest ninety year old I’ve ever come across! Did you notice that he was wearing jeans? Casual and elegant at the same time. i loved his practical and wonderful use of mirrors and mirrored doors. On a more personal note, he reminds me so much of Victor, our beloved neighbor, my parents’ best friends (Vic & Kay) , who was like a close grandfather to me growing up. I wanted to hug him and sit right down for a cozy chat.

HOUSE TOUR: 90-Year-Old Interior Designer at Peak of Career

Zalco/bring back Sophie!

Comments (10)

Jilly

niccidhg

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Annie Deighnaugh

Jilly

elcieg

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7

llitm

Zalco/bring back Sophie!

LynnNM

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