The Beedles are very interesting and kind-hearted people. They have two rescue dogs: one is an Australian Cattle Dog and the other one they claim is a Kelpie. I asked about that and they explained a Kelpie is a cross between a Dingo and a Collie! All I could think was what was that Collie thinking? Talk about a walk on the wild side! Both are sweet animals though and rushed to greet me when I arrived.
The first thing I noticed when I walked into the house was the sunken living and family rooms. Both could only be accessed by stepping down two stairs. I was thinking that it was a good thing these folks entered an “Aging in Place” contest. Those steps would be impossible if a person was in a wheelchair and they also present an added danger of falling. Even the master bedroom and bath present a barrier as they are on the second floor, up another 12 steps!
Luckily my clients are still mobile and there are solutions to these dilemmas - and I am just the designer to help solve them. In a manner of speaking the house presents a bit of a blank slate for me as a designer. There was no pronounced style or theme to contend with other than a sense of casual comfort. It was obvious that books are important to my clients as there were three bookcases in the living room and two more in the master bedroom.
I used my “Designer’s Insight” kit which is a compilation of everyday objects and fabrics which unlocks a client’s intuitive style for me. Each of them completed their selections, and the results, thank goodness, were not widely divergent from each other. Then I asked each of them to pick one item from all the things in their house that either “spoke” to them or best represented their style. I was surprised that they both selected the same object! They each picked a ceramic vase they’d purchased together at a farmer’s market. It was clear the vase held positive memories for them and provided an excellent starting palate for me.