http://www.triciatalk.com Your Guide to Life and Design Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:19:38 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en All my clients know this one!  They have heard me say it a hundred times, are often frustrated when I keep bringing it up, and want to kiss me on the lips when it’s all over.  Whenever I am designing a space for clients, I ask one question over and ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2009/02/use-every-room-every-day/ I was having lunch at my favorite restaurant, Cardwell’s, with a friend of mine. We were polishing off the baked brie, when out of nowhere, a large man ran up behind me and gave me a big bear hug. My friend sat in horror as I jumped up and we ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2009/02/the-f-word/ Since I have devoted my life to averting design disasters, I forget how many people really don’t put much planning into design. I recently moved and have spent much of my time de-pinking the house. The previous owner loved pink. Me? Not so much. The ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2008/07/design-intervention/ Clients come to me to help them with all the decisions, big and small, that go into a custom renovation or build. I always tell clients that we can’t have everything we want, but we can have what is most important to us. Each decision can be a daunting task ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2008/06/trying-to-afford-ourselves/ As a design professional, I pride myself in giving great advice on every aspect of the project. I bring elaborate designs with carefully chosen materials for a look to die for. Then, there are those rare moments when I just have to throw my body in front of the bus. ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2008/05/throwing-my-body-in-front-of-the-bus/ As the designer of some pretty complicated stuff, it is my job to understand what the client wants, needs and can afford, and then design and build that vision. Sounds easy enough, eh? Well, there are always moments when it is not so easy. There can be ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2008/04/more-cuss-discuss/ A few years ago I bought a real fixer upper for my own family.  As my husband lovingly reminded me for the DURATION of the design and build, it was more a tear downer.  Regardless, I loved the house.  It had charm that is difficult to build (and afford)  in ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2007/04/whod-ever-imagine-aka-whod-have-thunk-it/ Fabutricious: Fabulous with a Tricia twist "Pick your fight, and fight to win" - used during the Cuss & Discuss phase Never cross "the line."  There is a fine line between ostentatious and opulent.  DO NOT cross it! Kitchen Crud Niche: A place for crud you don't know what to do with...rubber bands, ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2007/03/the-world-of-tricia/   Recently, I got a rather urgent call from a woman wanting to meet with me as soon as possible.  We had designed and built renovations for her parents and her brother with great results and she wanted to get started on a project she had been procrastinating about for months.    When ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2007/02/a-real-life-where-are-you-going-to-watch-tv-in-your-pajamas-story/ Admit it.  We all do it.  No matter how fancy or orderly - or disorderly - your house might be, you watch TV in your pajamas.  And that's OK.  It's your house.  It might be (should be) the only place where you get to do what you want, right?  That's why ... http://www.triciatalk.com/2007/02/test/