your gift

I have a new client who's house I'm gutting the center of. She wanted a lovely new kitchen but unfortunately the previous architect (and I use that term loosely)designed the kitchen against a common wall with the house next door. Because this wall had no windows, being in her kitchen was like being in a dungeon...dark and very uninviting, no matter what artificial light you put there.

I must admit, I tried to conceive of a way to create this environment without tearing things up, to the extent I did. But there was no way.....light must be found and indeed it was; when walls between the front and the back of the house; came down.

The moral of this story is this: it might be light, or art, or saving what's best before designing new, or simply taking the time to assess the many possibilities, but a sure fire way into any clients heart, is to find their gift. When you do this, as a designer, or any other professional, you've found the pearl.

Dolores is a delightful person with a wonderful story to tell. She's concerned about this country and our political future. She has a marvelous voice in the community and she's not afraid to let her views known. This is her gift.

Her kitchen is the heart of her home.
To give light to a kitchen is to give light to the soul of its inhabitants.

Here is a tid bit to remember:

If you find your true calling, make sure your designer is sensitive to what's needed for your gift to enrich the world. Then, and only then; we will all benefit from your qualities!

Carolyn