Doing It Herself

I am so glad that June is finally behind us! We have as many new and existing customers as we can handle, but there is truly no furniture to be found to design with! Then on the way home from the models that we were able to install for Reliable Homes my car sounded funny. When I purchased my car I splurged and bought a Dodge lifetime, bumper to bumper warranty so I thought that I would finally use it. After the dealership refusing to honor it because Dodge said that it was all “normal wear and tear” I spent 10 days making phone calls and arguing with people - what a lesson in customer service!

Nothing like being greeted by live ammunition in the Dodge service department!

I finally got through to the GM at the dealership where I bought my car from and he become my ally and made things happen. He said we sold you the car, we will make this right no matter what it takes. And he did. If you ever need to buy a car from a reputable dealer that stands behind what they sell, check out Huffines Dodge.

And while all of this was going on, another designer chose to take credit for work that I have done. I am fine with people using my ideas - inspiring people is what I love doing, but she went too far.

The Signature Kitchen Suite Experience and Design Center

But I knew that while all of this was happening, better days would follow and they have. I have a milestone birthday coming up, and all of this has made me realize that it is time to make some changes. It has been a lot of fun to travel all over the world for work, but now I’m ready to spend more time at home and work on my own home. Don’t get me wrong - we already have exciting projects going on in Napa and other places, but I am going to be a lot more selective about where I work and who I work for. I have always had incredible clients, but now I’m going to set aside more time for me to spend time doing what I enjoy doing, especially with family and friends.

Home Magazine Project

I’ve also realized that some of you that are new to the Lifestylist Brands might not be aware of the amazing clients and projects that we have been fortunate enough to work on. That changes now.

The Home Idea Factory

Over 20 years ago when I was moving back to Dallas from Tucson and NYC I purchased The Home Idea Factory. I call it that because I have always wanted to have a loft building but on land so I could garden, and something big enough that I would never have to add on to it. Mission accomplished! We are only a few miles from downtown Dallas and The Dallas Market and Design Centers, and my acreage has huge trees and lots of privacy. It was built in the 40’s as a printing factory - they published an aviation magazine called On The Beam. There’s lots more to tell, but you will have to come back to learn more.

The Home Idea Factory 2002 - kitchen on the left, bathroom on the right

With a property this old there is always something to work on, and a lot of it I have done myself. When I was looking at homes to buy, the Relator® did everything she could to talk me out of it. Even having a bathroom that was in the middle of the kitchen and a heat and air system that was installed in 1956 wouldn’t keep my from calling this my own home.

The Better Homes and Gardens One Room Challenge is an event that I really look forward to every year, and this year a lot of my fellow Designhounds really outdid themselves. Beautiful, creative solutions that make you rethink your own living spaces - I know that has me rethinking mine.

It’s amazing how much damage a leak can do!

So today I started my own one room challenge. I have a room that was one of my favorites when I bought this home, and even though I have remodeled it a few times, it never felt right. So after a full demolition of the interior thanks to a pipe leak, I am going to do it for me.

After Demo

Today I started cleaning up and out the room and courtyard that is part of it. I already had my contractor change out the door to one with divided lights in it, and today I got rid of the window treatments and random paint and stuff that needed to go. There are lots of challenges and opportunities with this space, but I’m ready for a good challenge, and to have a place that I can do exactly like I want to that is all mine. This has been a long time coming, and is going to be so much fun! I can’t wait to share this journey with you.

July 5, 2021