I often reflect and think about how lucky I am to get to do what I love everyday. Even after a day like this past Friday. It was a hectic day….I really feel like I’ve just recovered from all of the chaos and running around (no need to go to the gym). You see I’ve been working with a lovely couple for quite some time on their Kitchen renovation which included a new layout and furniture for their adjacent Breakfast Room and Keeping Room.

The issue wasn’t with the planning, designing, construction or installation of the Kitchen…that actually was the easy part and went very quick and smooth…..and might I say that it turned out amazing. I can’t wait to share the finished photos with you. The frustration wasn’t with any of that, it has been with things that are completely out of our control.

The headache has been waiting on their custom furniture for the adjacent rooms. We selected the most beautiful chairs for them to enjoy their morning coffee routine, a gorgeous sofa fitted with the perfect cream colored herringbone fabric and several other pieces. If you want to see a glimpse into what we’ve selected, you can check it out here.

Our chairs and couple other pieces finally arrived last week, but the sofa fabric is still on back order and we’re just not willing to select an alternative fabric at this point because it’s perfect! My dear clients have patiently waited for everything to arrive and when some items did last week we were ecstatic! Especially since they were entertaining over the weekend and wanted use their new furniture. Here’s the next wrench thrown into the equation, my lovely delivery company could not install their new furniture until the following week. I adore them but that just wasn’t going to work and I wasn’t going to have my clients waiting another minute so off I drove with my awesome intern Stephanie to the receiver to pick up and deliver the furniture. Did I mention that it took two trips, 45 minutes each way, a little creative packing and a even some assembly.

I’m not complaining, not one little bit, I absolutely adore my job….I’m the luckiest girl in the world. It just got me thinking…..because this is not an unusual day for me as an Interior Designer, it’s actually quite normal. Just out of curiosity, how many hats do Interior Designers wear. Let’s see how many I can come up with today….should be fun!!

1.  Handyman/ Handywoman: We often have to fix things, put them together, and/ or  take them apart.

2. Installers: This can include hanging art and window treatments.

3. Artists: We use our talents to throw pen, pencil, and marker to paper in order to convey our thoughts and vision.

4. Cleaning Co.: We can often find ourselves vacuuming, dusting, shining, polishing, wiping, clearing, moving and putting things away to make sure things always look their best.

5. Accountants: We’re not bankers but can quite often feel this way….cash flow control is vital to keep a design firm comfortably afloat.

6. IT guys: Keeping up with websites, programs and software is a must.

7. Project managers: The success of a project hinges on great project management skills and a great designer can do this in their sleep.

8. Marriage Counselors: I hear occasionally couples don’t agree and the designer needs to get involved without picking sides.

9. Mediators: We try to keep the peace (or at least I do) between builders, contactors, installers, homeowners, etc. Things can get done a lot smoother and quicker if we can all respect each other and get along.

10. Supervisors: Constant follow  up and checking in to be sure nothing falls through the cracks. It seems as though at least 4 calls or emails are needed to get one little task completed. It’s never once and done.

11. Human Resources: Hiring and firing of staff

12. Schedulers: Calling and coordinating contractors and installers is an everyday event.

13. Organizers: Without good organization skills things call fall through the cracks, get forgotten about and ultimately never done.

14. Receivers: Beautiful new things arrive all the time

15. Delivery guys: Whether it’s artwork, rugs, accessories, or furniture, there is always something to be hauled from point A to point B.

16. Accounts Receivable: Someone has to make sure that invoices are getting paid on time so that everything can get ordered on time.

17. Accounts Payable: Someone has to pay the bills.

18. Principles: Someone needs to oversee the overall vision of the company and assure that every project and client interaction reflects that.

19. Managers: Having to assure that the office is running smoothly, everyone is on task and doing what needs to get done.

20. Marketers: We all know that there’s more to it than the business side, if  you’re not marketing your business consistently, no one will know who you are and why they should want to work with you.

I know there are so many more hats…..I could literally go on and on but here you have my top 20. I’d love to hear your thoughts and some of the many hats you wear. I love all of my hats equally and I feel lucky to get to wear so many. I guess you could say I never get bored…my closet is full of a huge selection of many, many fantastic hats and I love them all!

xoxo