Homeowner
I love modern, but the two houses I own are not! I think nature has the best colors. And, it's not just choosing a color, it's deciding on texture, and tone!
My next project: Is just to live in one of the two homes I've been redoing since 2016.
About me: Houzz is pure pleasure for me. I'm not here to force anyone to take me so seriously I badger them with what I think looks good. I'm not here to pimp my services, as I'm not a professional. Just a homeowner who has redone many of my own homes, peeled open old and new cans of paint, scraped thousands of sq ft of wallpaper, and even raised avocados. I'm more interested in finding out what inspires someone, and show them a couple of ideas. I leave my impressions, and then the rest is up to you. In other words, I like to encourage people to investigate what makes them tick. I go by the Big Lebowski guide when giving advice: "Yeah, Well, that's like, just your opinion, man."
Because of shows about flipping houses for resale, and big box stores both IRL and online, I think there is a tendency to go strictly by trends, rather than seriously looking into "WHAT inspires you?" Whether it's a stack of blue and white dishes mixed with sand-washed glass and coastal pines, or hardwoods, fine white china, a clutch of freshly laid eggs in all the colors they come in --there's a collection of stuff that informs our tastes. It's not only what we aspire our surroundings to look and feel like, we bring our personal history into it too.
In 2017, we finally started on a massive remodel of a 1940 home we've lived in for 17 years. I had raised kids and cooked in a kitchen designed in 1938, built in 1940, and then used everyday since. The experience was a crash course in learning to hire and work with professionals: architects, structural engineers, landscape architects, a builder, sub contractors, and a money manager. All of these professionals have been essential to learning about prioritizing and choosing. Walls were taken down, materials purchased, and the rest was working closely, but giving the pros breathing space so they could work.
In addition to the house in California, since 2016, we've been restoring an adobe house in New Mexico. This is a much, much different project, and in part, more difficult because didn't know anyone there! Again, this was a lesson in engaging a local decorator who knew all the tradesmen. Were it not for her, it would have been impossible to do this job. I always encourage people to hire professionals who practice their skills everyday, have the right tools for the job, and are focused in on the task at hand. However, I also encourage background checks, making sure that the person has a good reputation.
Because of shows about flipping houses for resale, and big box stores both IRL and online, I think there is a tendency to go strictly by trends, rather than seriously looking into "WHAT inspires you?" Whether it's a stack of blue and white dishes mixed with sand-washed glass and coastal pines, or hardwoods, fine white china, a clutch of freshly laid eggs in all the colors they come in --there's a collection of stuff that informs our tastes. It's not only what we aspire our surroundings to look and feel like, we bring our personal history into it too.
In 2017, we finally started on a massive remodel of a 1940 home we've lived in for 17 years. I had raised kids and cooked in a kitchen designed in 1938, built in 1940, and then used everyday since. The experience was a crash course in learning to hire and work with professionals: architects, structural engineers, landscape architects, a builder, sub contractors, and a money manager. All of these professionals have been essential to learning about prioritizing and choosing. Walls were taken down, materials purchased, and the rest was working closely, but giving the pros breathing space so they could work.
In addition to the house in California, since 2016, we've been restoring an adobe house in New Mexico. This is a much, much different project, and in part, more difficult because didn't know anyone there! Again, this was a lesson in engaging a local decorator who knew all the tradesmen. Were it not for her, it would have been impossible to do this job. I always encourage people to hire professionals who practice their skills everyday, have the right tools for the job, and are focused in on the task at hand. However, I also encourage background checks, making sure that the person has a good reputation.
