Who are the changes for?

Happy New Year!

The new year brings with it change.  We all resolve to do things differently than we did last year - to grow.  The busiest month at the gym is January, right?  But why isn't April as busy, or July, or October?  One reason is that change is hard.  Another might be because the change isn't for you.  Did you join the gym because you really, deep down, wanted to?  Or is it because you feel like you probably should because that's what other people do?

This is analogous to making design decisions, and I see it all the time.  Who are the changes for?  Are you redoing the kitchen for you, or are you redoing it to make the house easier to sell?  Do you really want an all white kitchen because you love all white, or is it because it appeals to the largest percentage of the market?  Or maybe you don't plan on selling any time soon, but you live in a neighborhood with traditional looking homes and feel like you have to make traditional decisions.

No.  It's your home.  You're spending your money; your time; your emotional energy on this project - it needs to be for you.  So this is where you say, "TJ that's great!  Lime green is my favorite color, so you're telling me to get lime green countertops, right?"  And it's where I say, maybe.  My advice is find a *designer you connect with - someone who understands you and your goals.  Share your likes and dislikes with that person and come up with a thoughtful, well designed project.  Because if it's thoughtful and well designed, and if one day you end up selling your home, then the chances are that someone else with find it thoughtful and well designed too.  The percentage of people who like exactly what you like will certainly be **smaller than the percentage of people who like all white, BUT the people who find your home will have a passion about it that no one else will.

So don't wait 5 years to redo the kitchen and then do it for someone else.  Don't wait until January to join the gym.  Do it for you. 
​
​Bye for now,
TJ

*This could be an architect, an interior designer, a kitchen designer, etc.  It could also be someone working for themselves, or at a design company, or at a design/build firm.  

**Keep in mind that the more specific you make your design, the smaller the market of people with whom it resonates will be.

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