Dovetailed by design

By Connie Britell
Special to the Coastal Point

All around us, the season is undeniably changing: terminal buds, blossoms, early morning song birds. And, ready or reluctant, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the transformation.

Admittedly, I still occasionally cling to warm thoughts of staying snuggled under my old patchwork quilt just a bit longer, but, what the hey! Why fight it? Be grateful we live in a climate that offers a change of season (and us with it). I say it’s time shake off the quiet, contemplative seduction of late winter and get lusty. Yes, lusty.

Remember the old days, when folks were sometimes ascribed as having a “lust for life”? Talk about colorful! It elicited images of yearning and desire for the next thing. It spoke of healthy, hearty, vigorous and robust. Could the change of season possibly hold such promise for each of us? Can we infuse that kind of lust for life into the everyday hustle of our lives?

Just maybe.

Maybe spring offers us just such a possibility. We can take the vigor of our awakening spirits, our yearning for the next thing and translate it into action. We can make a “list for life” — at least a list for the season.

I love lists. I can’t seem to feel I’m making progress without them. Every day starts with one or two, or more. As an interior designer, I live or die by accomplishing what’s written there. Every client, and every part of the project has its own assignments. Sometimes, they are overwhelming, but most often they offer a sense of being in control.

Take for example last week’s request from a client going through the final phases of readying her home for this year’s Beach and Bay Cottage Tour in July. I had worked with my client in the renovation and re-decoration of her home over the past year, but there remained an ever-expanding list of polishing touches the client wanted to address. At our meeting, out came the lists – hers and mine.

Enthusiasm reigned. Creativity abounded. At last, with serious construction challenges and design dilemmas behind us, we were able to look forward to the fun of what-ifs: bright accent colors on walls and in floor coverings at the entrances and laundry room, fresh plants, flowers, accessories inside and out, lamps to brighten the occasional dark corner. And don’t forget art. We planned to re-mat and reframe some old favorites and add new pieces where needed. The ideas seemed to breathe new life to the whole house. It was all a bit heady.

Write on

In the end, the list was considerable — addressing both interior and exterior items. No more than a touch here and a touch there, but what a difference they would make. We decided to brighten up the white wicker grouping on the large side porch with a fresh outdoor fabric of brilliant yellow, white, green and purple-blue stripes. The tired dark-brown wood server that accompanied the wicker group would become the star of the show sporting a coat of sparking periwinkle. A collection of white ironstone pitchers would be grouped on top.

One of the fabulous new outdoor rugs — in none other than spring green — would anchor the lot. Large pottery planters would be made ready to receive a lush assortment of annuals. Nearby, white wood rockers were scheduled to have their slatted frames painted in cheerful yellow and white stripes.

Inside, we decided we either had to tackle the boring laundry room or close its door forever. Certainly not a high priority during the initial renovation, the T-shaped area has a long, unadorned back wall with the washer/dryer stationed at one of the short ends of the room. A fluorescent ceiling fixture and builder-white walls didn’t help the esthetics of the windowless room.

How to add needed zip? Color and art, of course. I enlisted the aid of a local artist, and together we designed a bit of fun-filled clothesline art to greet as you enter the room. The large art will stretch far right and left along the long back wall. Billowing in the breeze will be white sheets, striped beach towels, an old-fashioned clothespin bag, requisite bikini parts and the like. Wood poles support at each end of the line, with a bird house resting atop one. All very fetching.

The walls of the room will be a soft green. A punch of color will come from three bright red school lockers to be placed at one end of the room. The lockers are to be fastened together and will store household cleaning items. A new wood shelf, painted red and installed above the washer/dryer will create color balance at the opposite end of the room. On the floor, a sassy red-and-white mini-check rug will finish off the new “outdoor” room. I can’t wait. One list completed.

The beat goes on

No punch list would be complete without considering the home’s gardens — my favorite part. Since the clients spend long summer days on the decks and patio that face the canal, plantings will be key to the esthetics of their surroundings. So, next weekend, we begin yet another list: what new and exciting colors and textures to combine.

Both my clients and I are seasoned gardeners and appreciate each other’s input, so undoubtedly our discussions will be chock full of plans for a new beginning. I’m sure when the planting gets under way, I’ll be there getting my hands good and dirty.

Maybe when I’m on my hands and knees I’ll be able to come up with the answer as to why, as happened on this project, this very creative and rewarding final stage of the design process is so often left undone.

Why do we fizzle out towards the end? Is it that the essentials of the project take so much energy, money and time that we’re plum tuckered out before we reach the finish line? Is this the reason even professional designers often have to struggle to get a truly polished look at the end? Why do we lose our initial zest, our fervor? Is it because we didn’t take time to make that final needed list?

And so it goes. Lists. Lust. New life. It’s all out there. Whatever you hanker for. Spring is in the air. It’s all good.

Connie Britell, ASID, is owner of Dovetail Interior Architecture and Design with offices in Washington, D.C., and Ocean View. She is co-author with her sisters, Mary Jo Donohoe and Suzanne Hawkins, of “SOS, Sisters On Style, The Professional Organizer For Your Home Designs,” available through www.SistersOnStyle.com.