Tahilla Farm and Nancy Meyers
The idea board...Tahilla Farm
The Architect
A funny thing happened in the process of working with our architect...we changed our minds again and again and again and then we came full circle...and changed again. If I could give our architect a gold star, I would. He deserves it for receiving emails like this from me...
First email:
"How about we talk on Wednesday evening, 8:00pm your time which will be Thursday morning, 9:00am our time."
Next email:
"Ooops sorry, I meant 9:30am Friday morning which means 9:30pm Thursday evening, your time. Does that work?"
What would you say? I say...patience of a saint.
The Speakerphone
When we met with our architect last summer, we talked about how our future discussions would take place and agreed that Skype and Dropbox would be the best way to go. Dropbox worked a dream but internet connections between Vietnam and rural New Hampshire were not up to the task so we moved onto the next best thing...the speakerphone.
With the correct time scheduled in advance, Mr. H and I recently set up camp one early morning in his office, with schematic designs spread around the room as we talked through every little details with our architect via speakerphone. We walked through each space and managed a few revised sketches via email as we spoke. It was a very productive meeting and it feels right.
Friendly advice
The last time I wrote about Tahilla Farm we talked about windows and you all gave us brilliant advice. I have been back to read your comments several times, taking notes along the way. This week...the advice from Virginia @ Glamour Drops resonated with me..
"Trust you architect even more that you feel is comfortable..because a better outcome will result..the architect's job is to push you slightly beyond your comfort zone, and when clients allow and enjoy the process, great things are possible. Sounds like you are already comfortable with him, so my advice (coming from somebody who has been designing buildings for people for more than 20 years) is let him gently guide you, rather than the other way about, and you will (ironically, perhaps it would seem) end up with something far closer to your own personalities than you could have achieved on your own."
Nancy Meyers
Virginia hit on an interesting concept, the personality of a home. I wonder...does your home reflect your personality? Whether you live alone, as a couple or a family...could you put a personality to your home? If you would like to find out your decorating personality, you can take a test here.
I discovered that I have a 'Cozy, Casual' decorating style...
"A warm, traditional look made for relaxing with family and friends. Draws on English and early-American furniture designs, as well as laid-back country, cottage, and farmhouse styles. Weathered, low-maintenance furnishings are easy, inviting, and build for daily life. Think golden retrievers, fuzzy slippers, and just about any movie by Nancy Meyers." ( It's Complicated, The Holiday, Something's Gotta Give, Father of the Bride and Baby Boom..to name a few)
I took the pics below when I stayed at Tahilla Farm last summer, the odd bits of furniture were picked up in local shops...a place to pull up a chair and relax until the rest of our belongings arrive. We have a master plan, a big shuffle once the renovation is completed. Until then..it's the simple life and it suits me just fine.
The renovations will be substantial and we want to get it right by blending the charm of the antique portion with the new. Easy..right? Maybe not.
So I was thinking...do you think our architect would say I am crazy if I suggested he watch the following Nancy Meyers films? Maybe just to think about...
Enough space to sit a tribe of family and friends around a fireplace as in
Father of the Bride
Ok..I may have gone to far on the last one.. but I think with our new fields, we will have plenty of space for an outdoor wedding... one day. ;)
Tahilla Farm
I can't help but wonder about the day when I write to say it is done. I wish Nancy Meyers could make that happen too... as long as she does not make me feel like this..
Before you go..I would love to know your decorating personality. There are four personality styles...you can take the test test here I look forward to hearing which decorating style you are!
You can comment or write to me [email protected]
Jeanne xx
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