Nothing Like a Deadline!

  Nothing like a Deadline!

by: Stephanie Andrews

Nothing like a deadline to kick my butt into gear!  Nine designers were coming over to my house for dinner.  We are a group called the Design Guild.  10 women entrepreneurs who get together once a month to share best practices, issues, frustrations, and inspiration.  Now, it was my turn.

Last January, when I learned that we were meeting at my house in September, I frantically talked to my husband about all of the updates that I hoped to do to our home before these women of good taste came over.  I wanted to start with updates to the kitchen and the laundry room.  It’s been about 15 years since our last update, and I was ready! You may know how much such an endeavor costs (I do!), and it’s quite a lot. So, again, I kicked the can down the road and chose to travel this year instead.  (No regrets!)

Now I had a deadline and had to face my procrastination.  They were coming on Thursday, and what could I do in a weekend?  Perhaps these quick tips and recipes will be helpful to you in the upcoming holiday season.

In our kitchen, we have open shelving.  We had to neaten things up.  We had been thinking about investing in East Fork Pottery from Asheville for a few years, and decided that this was the time.  It’s simple, handmade, and perfectly beautiful.  We went to their store on Atlanta’s west side and bought these large dinner bowls instead of dinner plates. We also bought some small bowls, plates, and serving bowls.  I love eating out of bowls, and our shelves now look neat and intentional.  We donated my mismatched dishes to our kids and cleaned and organized every shelf to be visually appealing.  Our well-worn kitchen had a mini new look!

Next up, where were we going to eat as a large group in a small home?  We decided on al fresco and set up a couple of folding tables outside.  We purchased some fall tablecloths, matching napkins, and even some leaf napkin rings.  (Nothing says attention to detail like napkin rings!)  I was going to bet on the weather being pleasant, and luckily it paid off.  With flowers from Trader Joe’s, the tables were set. Additionally, we cleaned up the back yard by planting containers, weeding, blowing leaves, etc.

For the menu, Ed found some recipes from the New York Times.  The Mediterranean food that he included was this salad and this shawarma chicken.   If it had been just me, I would have had this event catered. I do not enjoy cooking, not even a little bit.  However, Ed is a great cook, and he was on a mission to find something that everyone would like.  Trust me, his food is delicious, so I was confident in his dinner.  When the designers arrived,  it felt like we were back in Turkey!  He also made a signature cocktail of this Americano, and I bought lemon bars and baklava from the DeKalb Farmers Market.  Yum!

Last night was very special.  I got to know everyone better, and we started to solve some problems that I had been struggling with, like project management software, tariffs, and we shared some new sources for both artisans and furnishings.   Although we each have different styles in design, these common problems were universal among us.  Strategizing on the issues together drops the feeling of competition and allows open communication.  I am so glad to be part of this guild!

Beyond a successful evening, Ed and I got a jump start on the holiday season.  To me, September is one of the best months in the calendar.  The weather is cooler, the holidays are still a few months away, the kids are back at school, and generally, I feel more relaxed in September.  Because we organized the kitchen, the pantry, and planted the backyard, we are more ready for our holiday gatherings.  That feels good, thanks to a deadline.

Speaking of a deadline, have you come to our vintage Pop-up shop in our studio yet?  Rebecca Kaufman of House 10 Designs has continued her treasure hunt for new vintage art and accessories that are truly one of a kind.  She has also expanded her Japanese vintage collection, with vintage kimonos, and she found a talented artist who creates kimono art through collage. (link). This is our second-to-last Pop Up.  This party pop-up is Saturday, September 13th, from 12-5 pm. This event is so much fun, and your deadline is approaching to find the coolest, vintage, one-of-a-kind surprise before her pop-ups end in October.

Thank you for reading.  I will talk to you next week, when I have a new deadline!

Stephanie