Recently I wanted to do a bit of remodeling. Mind you hire someone for remodeling. Well you know how that goes, one things leads to another and a simple project turns into a full construction zone. Repainting lead to new flooring and one day I pulled out my ‘wish list’ and found an old item on hand painted murals. And the search began. Do you know how hard it is to find an artist to hand paint, in your home ?
Me: Google, find me ‘artist, mural, home, Toledo’..... (what ??)
Me: Google, find me ‘hand painted mural, in my home, Toledo’ ..... (what what ??)
I was about to give up when I remembered this app I’d used to buy a new bathroom mirror. Houzz. They said you can contact contractors for any project via their handy dandy search function. So ... same search criteria, and VIOLA two results. The app let me sent a ‘contact me’ inquiry. And w/in minutes both had responded. The first had moved to Oregon (I’m sensing more disappointment here), but luckily the second said they would love to come and talk about the project.
What follows is one of the best experiences I’ve had w/ hiring a contractor ...
The initial phone call; to chat about the project. I’d mentioned I wanted a mural similar to something I’d seen when I was in Italy. I don’t know why but I was sure that this would be of no interest (don’t artists want to do ‘their own thin’ and copying something just isn’t worth their time). But immediately she made me feel like this was a great project and she would love to work w/ me. So we set a date & time, for her to see the space where I’d like the work done. Now at this point I need to share, I’m a bit ‘particular’ I knew just where I wanted the mural, and what I wanted it to look like, I was so nervous that this would again make the job not worth the time. All these thoughts ran through my head, and the day of our first meeting my excitement turned to anxiety ... crap a stranger in my home, it’s a small project, will it be worth the time, what if I don’t like the work ... you name it I was thinking it.
Day of the first consul; Kim was right on time, and prepared. She had done research on what I was asking for, she had come w/ a portfolio of her work and even suggested she do a small sample of the technique she was thinking of. Because I opted for the small sample, she said she would return the next day with the samples to show me. At this point you need to think ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’, how she created samples of EVERY technique she wanted to use, PLUS a sketch of the focal point, and returned the next day is beyond me. But she did and trust me, it was the selling point.... pay for the sample, in the great scheme it’s worth it and removed all my doubts on skill or abilities. After reviewing where the mural would go, how large, etc., we set a start date for the project. Next hurdle conquered, Kim was so flexible as we of course were working around the timing of the construction already underway (remember the new flooring). It would start in three weeks, and be done in three days. You heard me three days. All along, Kim kept saying, this is going to fun, it’ going to be a collaboration, really I want your input, we’ll make it personal to you. Hmmmmm, I’m about as artistic as a cardboard box, but hey I’ll play.
Day of Project Start; The date of project start came, and I’m anxious again, will she be on time, will I be ok w/ this person in my house all day .... why did I start this ??? Again Kim ELIMINATED all my worries. She was on time, and w/in just a few minutes I felt at ease. She said she’d start about 9:30 am, and she did. She said it would take 3 days, and it did. She was courteous and professional. She was quiet (cause sometimes I was on conference calls, as I was working from home). She did include me, in just the right amount. Sometimes it was; what do you think of this color, would you like it lighter, brighter, more detail, ... I really did feel like I was part of the process. I’ll bet she got tired of me saying, that’s amazing, how did you do that, it’s so perfect. It really is perfect. Oh and one more thing, she’s nice and very funny. I never felt uncomfortable with Kim in my home and have so unexpectedly made a friend.
I cannot, in any good way, describe the work, it describes itself. Please look closely at the pictures, you will notice some very small items she included in the mural, these she picked up from around my house, little things I picked up on my travels, incorporated into the work to make it personal. It looks just like I wanted it to, even better. She fulfilled every promise she made. I now find myself standing in my hallway just looking at what I’ve got, it’s a treasure.
