Happy Friday. Let’s check in with our friend, ID Collection’s Jim Williamson. Hello! I hope all is well with everyone. It has been yet another busy week for us workers of summer. Aside from the usual daily stuff, I got another shot at being on a reality show. Yes, I know what you are thinking. Not again?! But out of the blue, a scout showed up and me to consider being an “expert” for an episode of a certain show. Without even thinking, I pulled out the Carmex, butt dialed the new guy that cuts my hair, performed a virtual scan of my wardrobe, and replied, “When do you need me?” The scout handed over the forms. There are always lots of forms with these shows with words like “You grant us full rights to use said footage forever and ever, in perpetuity, anytime we want, as much as we want until the sun engulfs the earth and even after that.”
Before I could sign my name on the dotted line, the scout told me that she needed to see me on camera. She pointed her phone at me and told me she was going to film for 30 seconds. Just like that. Being the little tumbleweed I am, perky doesn’t come on the first take. Who am I kidding? Perky and my name have never been used in the same sentence. After she finished filming, she made that look the dog makes when I say “squirrel.” She looked inquisitive but slightly bemused. She let me know that she would be “in touch.”
She did eventually get back to me—only to say that they had decided to “reschedule” the shoot. I found this out as I was walking into the salon. So we will add that to the pile of failed attempts at reality stardom. I’m thinking the stars are telling me, “Honey, have you considered the reality that ‘reality’ just isn’t your thing?”
Speaking of reaching for the stars, I finally got to see the view from the 38th floor of Museum Tower, the hotly (ahem. No pun intended) debated hi-rise in the arts district. I have to tell you the view was stunning. I did not look down too long from that lofty height as I walked along the balcony as I felt a Streisand moment building. (I am not talking about busting into “Don’t Rain on My Parade.” Remember the heights thing from last year?)
But on to things more design related, like Maximilian’s (still trying out those names) and my annual Fourth of July party. Most people, especially those in the design world, would plan months ahead to have everything recovered, restuffed, or refinished. Not this one. Even though I have the quote for the custom banquette and brought home endless samples in various shades of gray and greige, I have yet to fully integrate our various styles. Since I help people choose furnishings all day long, it tends to be the last thing I want to do when I get home at the end of the day. It’s not that I don’t want a beautiful home. I just tend to let it evolve. When I find something I like, I’ll buy it. If not, that milk crate still looks great as a coffee table, thank you very much. Normally, when you invite a bunch of people over to your house, they won’t notice the new pillows or a new sofa. Designer friends do because we evaluate (much nicer word than “judge,” don’t you think?) every room we walk into. We can’t help it. We virtually decorate every place we see. So how do I get around the pressure of having an unfinished home? I invite my designer friends to other events—events that are not at my house. See how easy that is?
So while my house may not be ready for its reality moment, a house isn’t a home without friends. And with all our friends around, everyone will feel right at home.
