Recent Posts
- DUNE
- MVRDV
- Glass Wall
- Jordan Crane
- Out Here in the Fields
- Ready for the bedroom
- Instant Ruins
- Too big, too small... just right
- Bored of your sideboard?
- Right Up My Alley
Recent Comments
- higasz on Jordan Crane
- deepak on Too big, too small... just right
- ghislaine on Identify this Chair
- deepak on Identify this Chair
- karen on Dotage Domicile
Most Commented On
- Love at First Site (9)
- Banter (4)
- By Way of Introduction... (4)
- Dotage Domicile (4)
- Identify this Chair (3)
Archives
Blog
Banter
July 14, 2008
The construction is now at that "what if" stage. What if I took out the two skylights? How much would I save? What if I replaced the numerous recessed lights in the eaves with outdoor wall sconces? Would the savings equal the price of the fixtures? (Imagine how much the contractor is loving this stage.) What if …
What if I fire my architect Joan and finish the job with the contractor? Or what if I fire my contractor? Joan and I can handle the few finishing touches—the roof, floors, windows, etc. What if I walk to the edge of my property, take in the view and catapult myself off Brokeback Mountain. Much better to be Paul Siskin, interior designer, than Paul Siskin, limited budget client.
I don't want to be like this, but to continue on with life's luxuries like eating (well), wearing (fashionable) clothes, and sleeping in a bed (and not the sofa in my office), sacrifices have to be made. Whenever I comment to people on the expense of building a house, the stock retort is, "Now you know how your clients feel." Excuse me, but you can hardly put me in the same category as my clients. The master bedroom rug for one of my projects was the same price I paid for my lot. The yearly maintenance on the apartment for another is just short of my construction budget. Yes, I totally know how they feel!
Mr. Blanding's dream, not mine.
I have been preparing to move to my house in the country for years. In my vast storage vault (Moishe's) lie many "treasures" acquired over the course of my career. We designers refer to them as decorative accessories; Joan calls them props. There are also many usable pieces of furniture. My clients called them "mistakes", but I prefer "misunderstood items". Whatever you call them, they will look great in my new house. They will give the place an instant Old World look, a handed down through generations look. It won't look too designed (talk about shooting oneself in the foot). It will be, to use an overworked phrase, eclectic.
Be it ever so humble.
Nell, my assistant and now blog editor, has told me that this post is just one-sided banter, filled with non sequiturs, and doesn't deal with anything specific. There's plenty of time for specifics. Even the images are non sequiturs—visual banter. They are what my country is house is not going to look like. Enjoy.
Retro-futuristic
Boyhood fantasy
Posted by Paul Siskin on July 14, 2008 | Comments (4)
In response to: Banter
Laura Bohn commented:
Paulito, I hate to say I told you so........Love the now familar "blog". Who reads these things? People who don't have any work I guess, you know who you are.
In response to: Banter
Laurence commented:
Paul - Loving your blog...keep em coming.
In response to: Banter
Helen Kent-Nicoll commented:
I think all your clients and friends are thinking the same things when they hear you complaining however, this is such an interesting role reversal. Paul Siskin client hires Paul Siskin decorator and re-allocates Paul Siskin's "misunderstood items" or "mistakes" whatever into new design feature for said new home. There is something utterly organic about this process. But don't spend too much time with this blog because you have OTHER work to do too(need I remind you). haha.
In response to: Banter
Miriam Llorens commented:
Congratulations Paul! This is so exciting, your new house, a blog, wow I am impressed. Biggs is going to have so much fun. I can't wait to see the finish product. Big kiss from Miami