I have been off the blog for a while - busy with kids, school, training and Staging - as many of you are. One of my most recent projects though gave me pause because it made me realize how much people need us and how we can be such a GIFT to those around us. "Tis the Season - it's almost upon us - the "official" kick-off of the Holiday Season....
Already I have created and donated a "12-days of Christmas" wreath to a WCR Auction, helped fundraise, and have agreed to help with a Habitat for Humanity Parade of Holiday Homes. But I wanted to do more and found a way.
My children attend a Christian school in Auburn - and the school has been around for years, is located in an old church, and a newer campus arm is about 3 miles away. I was approached by the Elementary Campus Principal who wanted to re-do her office. She just got the job of being Principal this year and was our son's 4th grade teacher a couple of years ago. Naturally, I said, "Yes" to helping her and began the process about 6 weeks ago.
She had inherited dilapidated blue painted book shelves, and clutter galore. The owner of the school told this Principal to "make the space her own" and so I entered the picture. A Batik she had purchased while on a missions trip to Africa became the "inspiration" for the room. I pulled a color out of the batik to make an accent wall - sort of a reddish-brick color, and then the other walls were painted a warm tan-gold color.
I went to consignment stores and located two tall cabinets that could not only house all her "stuff" but also be used to attractively display her precious things and photos. She had no artwork to speak of, so I picked up some things at a local Ross, and added greenery as well. I found practical and attractive organizers for her desk top = getting rid of the plastic broken trays and old coffee mug full of pens. The transformation was immediate once the paint went on the walls - and the room began to come alive. Getting rid of the old junky furniture was key - and putting things in proper places, organizing her desk, and housing all the needed items in attractive ways made the space feel so great. One of my team members, Michelle, whose children also attend this school came and helped me paint and organize, and my husband painted the "red" wall - since it required multiple coats. It was a true team effort.
When we finished, she said, 'Well, Jennie - this is so great - send me an invoice." I had already discussed with my husband our desire to "gift" this $1,000 project to the Principal and told her, "I am not charging you for anything - not my time or the items purchased for your office. It is our gift to you." She collapsed in her chair and cried overwhelmed with a gift she had not expected - and a gift that let her know how much she is appreciated.
I cannot tell you how I felt at that moment - it was SO rewarding! I loved how the room turned out (will post pictures when I get home from Portland where I am wriitng this) - and am proud of how it all came together. But what I am most happy about is her response - and how I could make a difference in someone's life simply by "Staging" their office. I felt so good - and I always feel good after doing a wonderful Staging job, but this was particularly rewarding because I know that in her position income is not aplenty, and although I am in this to make money too - I knew it was the right thing to do.
How many of us take time from life, from work, from the focus of getting that next job lined up to actually do something for someone else as a gift? Now is the time of the year that these opportunities come en force with holiday auctions and all sorts of other ways to gift back our staging creativity.
I want to challenge those of you reading this to go and make a difference in someone's life in a way they are not expecting. Help them organize a space, help them Stage a house, just help them . . . it's simple. Then share your story here - and let others know the good things we have done to recognize, help and inspire others. Because at the core and heart of what we do is about love, as taught to me by my mentor, Barb. When we show care and love to others in the process of helping them move on in their lives - or help them be able to de-stress their space at home or work, that is our true reward. In my opnion the income, accolades, and exposure are just side-benefits of what is truly at the heart of Staging.
- Jennie
