Love At First Sight

(Yes It Is Possible For A Finished Home Improvement Project – Even When The Odds Are Stacked Against You)

My husband Simon and I are compatible on many levels (business, finance, children, and politics) and are also tolerant of each other's differences and interests. (I promise this is not a chocolate box story.) 💑

❤️ A Second Chance at Love: Lessons Learned from Simon's Past

However, as Simon embarks on his second marriage, the private investigator I hired had a field day pointing out the numerous distinctions between ‘her' and me.” 😄

❤️ Compatibility Beyond Differences

Now, before I go completely off-topic (and you're probably wondering where this is heading already!), most importantly, there are the similarities that bind Simon and I together.

So, what on earth has this to do with interior design and your home?

🎨 The Allure of Colours and Styles

Surprisingly, our lives can find a parallel in the world of interior design. Colours and design styles speak to us, influencing our emotions and perceptions. [1] However, there's often a hidden layer beneath the surface. We tend to let trends or external influences (how we think the world should “see us”, or who we should be “seen with”) determine the direction of our design choices, just like our initial attractions. 🌈

❌ The Problem with “Love at First Sight”

The problem with “love at first sight” is that it is actually ‘lust’, and history has proven with an ever-increasing number of relationship breakups that living with someone because of their skin-deep looks does not necessarily stand the test of time.

Interior design is very similar to the world we live in now: a sea of photos showing incredible home interiors across many different styles, 10 million+ colour variants, endless patterns and texture choices to choose from, let alone styles of furniture, rugs, wallpapers, light fittings, etc.  They are readily available… Do you swipe left or right when choosing them?

And here lies the problem: ‘lust’ kicks in so fast it can take us quickly… or the perceived opinions of our friends, family, or neighbours are given too much weight when we decide which style, colour, or ‘look’ we think the room in our home should have, just like that trophy wife, or that hunky guy we are attracted to at work, the gym, or your girlfriend’s partner you are magnetically attracted to.

💔 The Cost of Dissatisfaction

The outcome of making quick, appearance-based decisions can be costly and disappointing, similar to a relationship ending in divorce.

For many, a room makeover can lead to unexpected expenses and regrets. It's no surprise that, after 4-6 months, 42.3% to 51% of homeowners express dissatisfaction with their home improvement projects. [2]

”If I hadn't let the [professional] designer overly dictate the choices regarding ‘Z' ” [3] 

Or, if DIY, they “kicked themselves for choosing ‘X' instead of  ‘Y'” [4]

Whether working with professional designers or opting for DIY, there's a missing piece in the puzzle. 💰

🤝 The Key to a Fulfilling Home Transformation

This is why I transitioned from being a qualified architect and interior designer to helping homeowners with a transformative solution through Creating Design Clarity. By unlocking a homeowner's hidden needs and desires, she unveils their unique home design personality, including their colour and design style.

This process becomes a necessity before embarking on a home improvement project. It's a step that ensures you won't be among those dissatisfied with their investments. 🗝️

📉 Avoiding the Costly Gamble

With a worldwide dissatisfaction rate of nearly 50% among homeowners who complete a room makeover, relying solely on chance isn't a wise choice. 

Home improvement budgets vary from $1,000 to $100,000+ of your hard-earned [5] money.

Assuming you avoid those 50-50 coin-flip ‘odds', the next gotcha is that 12.4% to 29.6% of home improvement projects have rework hidden in plain sight…

This equates to anywhere from $1,240 to $2,960 on a relatively inexpensive $10,000 bathroom renovation, …through to $6,200 to $14,800,600 on a $50,000 kitchen or minor structural renovation, because:

• You chose the wrong colour and had to repaint…
• You had to return a piece of furniture / light fitting / accessories because of ___ (feel free to fill in the blank). Does it still look good right now?
• Miscommunication between you and the designer; their internal biases and preferred design style could potentially clash with yours…
• ‘Internal miscommunication’ between your ‘natural’ design style and the one you have attempted to superimpose on yourself…
• You now can’t afford to make the right changes (if you only knew exactly what they were), and now live with an unsatisfactory result…

Avoiding these odds and additional rework expenses is crucial. 🎲

🧾 The Price of Regret vs. Satisfaction

In my husband’s case, he went to a marriage counsellor and read some books, along with some navel-gazing. He realised it wasn’t “her fault” and thus, armed with a better understanding of himself, he then found an awesome partner the 2nd time around – didn't he make a great choice?

Imagine doing the same for your home. (Not your partner!)

By investing in this process, you can save a substantial amount of money and avoid the agony of rework, ensuring the space harmonizes with your personality. It's like having a compass that guides you to a room you'll love, without the nagging feeling that something's not quite right. 💵

📦 Your Toolbox to Success

Your journey begins with the ‘Your Unique Home Design Personality‘ course. This online course provides you with worksheets and exercises to document and understand your unique design style.

The best part is that it can be done at your own pace, from the comfort of your home. It empowers you to create a design brief that reflects you and your partner. Whether you decide to be a DIY warrior or hire a professional designer, you can ensure a match between the finished look of your space and your unique personality. 🎨

 🏆 Achieving Harmony and Satisfaction

Harmony, long-lasting satisfaction, and minimal to zero rework are the outcomes. All of this comes at a fraction of the price of rework or the misery of living in dissatisfaction and the unpleasant feeling of “something's not quite right.”  Click here to save money, increase satisfaction and ensure your home space is the envy of others while bringing endless joy to you. 💖

✨ Love at First Sight – Your Home Transformation Awaits!

As Simon and I discovered, our home could be a reflection of our unique personalities and preferences, creating a space where we would instantly feel at home. The same awaits you as you embark on your home improvement journey.

May you and your partner also have love at first sight when you see your finished home improvement project completed! 🏡💑