It has happened to all of us at one time or another, out of desperation or frustration or an unexpected guest coming to visit, the impatience of having some project cleaned, fixed or in come cases painted…….you see where I’m going with this story. Yes, even designers with a blackberry full of trades, cannot always exercise patience. Clean up is almost always a pleasant surprise and almost always never expected anymore, (although it was always a part of the job, in the old days). I have been taken aback, literally reminded of what business use to be, by 2 brothers who arrived at our new condo, at the request of the developer, to check our kitchen cupboards to see if they we aligned correctly and to make note of any deficiencies. The shoes were removed in the hallway and the polite, articulate discussion of why they were there, took place. They were neat and clean and most of all knowledgeable. I am not talking 60 year old men here, these guys were good! I had decided on a whim the week before that, since I had moved a whole 2 weeks previous, I would have the place painted ( what can I say?), and since I was not able to get my regular painters, I was left with some paint residue on the new cupboards. Brent and Dean offered to clean it off, which was not their responsibility, and took an additional half hour of their time and left me feeling like I had just been given a wonderful Christmas present early! Before they left, the drywall dust was cleaned up and any packaging or tools were removed, without hitting the door on the way out. To all the Brents and Deans out there who are proud of their work, I thank you, as you may never know how great it feels to receive value, without having to coerce it. I told them that I would include this story in my blog and they were embarrassed, however it was a wake up call. It is the little considerations that make a job memorable, and I think sometimes we all expect mediocrity but pay for the service. Thank you to the Journeyman Installation Group, who restored my faith! Tomorrow I think we will look to the closets and what a joy it will be, to be organized. Till next time, design your life……. Les Macdonald
Dishing the Dirt on Design Dilemmas: Quality Workmanship
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