Six friends form a club centered around design and fun.
What do a group of women, paint chips, and a drill have in common? Apparently, quite a lot for some Central Florida friends whose love of design led to the creation of a unique decorating club. Angie Blair, Hellen Driggers, Heidi Horosh, Donna Leeward, Kristi Lovell and Anne Rubin all agree—decorating one’s space is much more fun when done as a team. Originally formed as a book club, this Ocala, Florida group moved from reviewing literary works to also remodeling each other’s rooms.
Think of it as Oprah’s Book Club meets Trading Spaces.
“We centered our book discussions around creativity and self-expression which allowed us to identify our individual talents,” says Rubin.
In the process of realizing their inner artist, this circle of friends also found their inner decorator and launched their first project. Blair wanted to change her foyer from a non-descript space into a welcoming entryway, complete with a diamond pattern design. The book club volunteered to help, grabbed a paintbrush, and created a stunning harlequin hallway of glazed earthtones. Pleased with the result, they decided to tackle another member’s room dilemma and, thus, the decorating club was born.
This creative crew now boasts several beautifully remodeled spaces. Rubin’s dining room went from dated to dazzling into an elegant British Colonial office, complete with stained sub-floors. Leeward’s art studio evolved into a Key West sanctuary with teal splashed whitewashed walls. Driggers’ guest bedroom became a chocolate respite lined with crisp white linens layered with Tiffany blue accent pieces. And Lovell’s study got a magical makeover through clever exchange of existing furniture and personal belongings.
“Our different talents really make this a dynamic group,” says Lovell.
Sometimes they even pull a “surprise by design.” Upon returning from an out-of-town trip, Horosh, an airline attendant, returned to find her master bedroom converted into a lush art deco escape. Even the bedroom closet was converted into a coveted niche that houses a pine dresser.
“I had wanted to change my bedroom for awhile, but never had the creativity or the funds to do so,” says a grateful Horosh, “They brought it all together and did so in keeping with my vision and budget.”
When necessary, husbands and children are also recruited into a renovation job. There is also plenty of on-the-job training from building a window valance to operating a major hand tool. Nothing is exempt from the club’s range of possibilities. Their only limitation is imagination and, of course, a budget.
After all, these are women who live by the motto “There is nothing that a little paint cannot fix.”
Since its inception, the club has cultivated the renovation process. Coming from diverse professional and personal backgrounds, each member has assumed roles which compliment their respective skills. One member is a licensed contractor who lends her building advice (and really cool tools.) Another member is a landscape artist who creates watercolor sketches of the proposed design. There’s even an MBA and PhD included in the bunch.
“In many ways, we are unlikely friends, “notes Driggers, “Yet, our love of books and decorating has created a strong bond.”
Leeward agrees, noting their source of inspiration comes from each other’s strengths and differences.
“There’s a genuine goodness in all of the women in this group,” she adds.
Their mutual interests have also transcended into other parts of their lives including joint vacations, dinner parties, and, of course, shopping expeditions for new home decor finds.
“To me, we are an adventure group,” adds Blair.
And, yes, they still read books, talking about a recent work while staining a piece of furniture, never missing a brushstroke.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]Lessons Learned
Paint on the chip looks different than paint on the wall.
Plan on at least two full days for a room renovation. Everything takes longer than anticipated—a metaphor for life and for stripping wallpaper.
Laugh a lot. This alleviates stress when it’s midnight and you’re still sewing.
Prep the room in advance before the decorating team arrives to maximize time and minimize glares from other club members.
Be flexible and incorporate each other’s ideas into the design plan, especially that of the homeowner’s. This preserves friendships.
Honor the decorating budget and stick to it. This preserves marriages.
Don’t be afraid to change mid-course. One room went through three different colors of paint.
A husband may be recruited at any time to complete a project.
Make sure one club member is a gourmet cook to provide sustenance for the others.
Most importantly, listen to the homeowner. When she says she doesn’t like purple, she means it.
