Catch more bees with honey

I have been absent from the blogging world for a month, and I know you all thought I was in the hospital with a terminal case of “Awe” from meeting Tom Silva.  Well, almost!  Not only have I met Tom Silva (my hero- sigh), but I have actually sat next to him at a few This Old House team meetings. I know, pinch me!  I have now also met Norm Abrams.  He was wearing a long sleeve plaid shirt, jeans and work boots on a black rubber roof in 95 degree heat (total stud, the average man would have melted where Norm held strong and looked good)  The This Old House project has been so fun, interesting, and rewarding.  So far we have worked on tile selection, plumbing valve and trim selection, lighting plans, kitchen plans, furniture layout, and we are starting to get into color and flow.  My clients, Allison and Raveen Sharma, are so unbelievably nice and appreciative of this entire effort. 

The Sharma’s -Picture from This Old House web site.
It’s amazing how motivating it is when people are so nice. The Sharma’s personalities have mobilized the entire crew to put forth an effort of good will that is rare in the renovation world.  It goes to show: you catch more bee’s with honey.  While speaking with the producer the other day, we both remarked on how much we want this house to be perfect for this wonderful couple, as they make us feel so lucky to be part of the project.

Before picture- from This Old House web site.
I know, I know, you’re probably think I’m blowing sunshine up the skirts (pants) of the TOH crew and clients.  I’m not.  I have already been hired, so there is no need to say this kind of stuff to land the job, or even keep the job.  I want to drive the point home that being nice is an incredible motivator – especially on a renovation and design project.  Some people are motivated by money, fame, power, but I am so motivated by making people happy.  I’m a people pleaser by nature!  Often you work with clients who do not express happiness or gratitude for a job well done.  Honestly, those clients are usually not the ones for whom I call in the “once a year favor” from a key vendor.  Obviously, it goes without saying that you do your best work for everyone - each client gets 100% (that’s how we keep our reputations).  But we all know those people who - without asking for it or expecting it - end up getting 110%, just by being wonderful.

Proposed plan for the front of the house- Drawings by Newton Architect Chris Chu via This Old House web site.