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Meet John, the Painter

IMG_8134 (600x800) I’ve been delaying this post, because I’d hoped to show you some of the rooms. Before and after photos and all that. But all the rooms are still works in progress, and now I’m sitting in the dining room (my temporary office and kitchen), listening to ridiculously loud noises coming from what used to be our kitchen and family room. The demolition has started. But it is nevertheless time to introduce you to John, the painter.

John’s father Nick immigrated to Detroit from Greece in the late 1950s. Nick started the company in 1965 and fifteen years later, John and his brother took over the business. He says it’s the only job he’s ever had (working for the company in various capacities). And what do you like most about it?, I asked. He loves everything about it; he doesn’t feel the need or the want to do anything else. And he’s gotten to work for a lot of influential people.

IMG_8135 (600x800)You can tell John feels a lot of pride for his company. I asked what sets Nick Karoustos apart from other paining companies and John emphasized that it’s a family-owned and operated business, and that they do not sub-contract their workers (which is one of the reasons we hired). They provide healthcare and benefits to their employees, “which provides longevity and stability,” he added.

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The window coverings came down and stayed down (though we did keep one set for the guestroom).

And trends? People are going more neutral (see, we’re on trend. I knew it). He doesn’t see too many faux finishes anymore. And wallpaper is coming back (HA. You knew that one was coming, right?).

John declined a photo. (But if he comes back to paint the new kitchen, I’ll try again!).

The house looks great with the new paint. The color in the dining room is the perfect shade of green. And you’ve already seen the white living room (which again, is by no means finished. We need to decide which painting to put above the fireplace, for example. And you know all about that rug.)

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I do like that they have plants. We need indoor plants.

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From the photos, it doesn’t look like a huge color difference, but the lighter walls really brighten up the room (literally and figuratively).

The girls’ light grey rooms are great. Here’s one of the bedrooms.

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Before.

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After. (And see, wouldn’t the zebra rug look great in here?)

But the entryway is very……blah. It’s my one paint regret. With some new decor (eventually a console table and a lamp instead of a bench), I think it will be a lot more exciting. Win some, lose some.

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BO-ring. Until we spruce it up.

The designer friend I hired did ask if I like wallpaper (DO I!) and suggested putting wallpaper in the entryway only (near the front door, where I’m standing to take the photo), which would make a statement and add some interest. I thought it was a great idea and as soon as we can make it happen (after Christmas?), you’ll be hearing about it.

 

 

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Liebster Award

liebster-awardWe interrupt our regularly scheduled programing for something a little different: the Liebster Award. I’ve been graciously nominated by Life, the Universe and Lani – a blog about an expat teacher’s life in Thailand. She’s easy-going, funny (so darn funny), smart and interesting. Please take a second to stop by her blog to be enlightened and entertained!

Since she nominated me for this award, I don’t think she’ll mind if I quote her explanation of the Liebster Award:
“Basically, the Liebster Award is a Favorite Blog Award – Liebster is German for “favorite”. It is awarded to a blog that has less than 200 followers (although I actually have a hair more, but who’s counting). It’s a great way to interact with other smaller blogs and to get everyone more connected!”

The rules for the Award (which Lani modified, and which I will, too) are as follows:
1. Each person who is nominated must post 11 things about themselves.
2. You must also answer the questions that the tagger set for you in addition to creating 11 questions for the people you nominate to answer.
3. Nominate new bloggers.
4. Go to your nominees’ pages and tell them.
5. Thank and link back to the person’s blog who nominated you.

I won’t write 11 things about myself.  If you have a specific question, you can always just ask! And I won’t nominate more bloggers, although I’ve listed a few of my favorites below that you should definitely check out. I will, however, answer the five questions given to me by Lani:

1. How do you decide what to write about?

The premise of my blog is our big move from San Francisco to the Detroit area, and since I’m only five months in, I have a lot of material to work with. Everything is new for me still.

2. What inspired your blog name?

That’s easy. My new town: Grosse Pointe.

3. What was the best present ever given to you?

A motorcycle jacket. I had been dating my now husband for about 3-4 months. We sometimes went for rides on his motorcycle and one day he announces that I should have my own jacket. He took me to a store, where we settled on a feminine-cut bird’s egg blue jacket. That to me, was significant because it told me he was in it for the long haul, that he planned to take me on many more adventures. I don’t know how many girls can say they received a motorcycle jacket as a first gift. It’s pretty romantic.

4. Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been?

I should say the Seychelle Islands, because it’s the most exotic (and expensive) place I’ve been. But if I really think about it, I’d have to say Tuscany. Italy has my heart as much as San Francisco does. And San Francisco is a close second to Tuscany, if not tied. Some of the most beautiful, awe-struck, there-is-a-God type moments I’ve experienced have been in these two cities.

5. What is the best job you’ve ever had?

Serving as the director of contract administration at Papyrus. I loved working with artists and agencies and I loved all the copyright law stuff. I also loved being in downtown San Francisco and working in a loft-style open environment. Plus, it took me away from the worst job I ever had, which was working for a toy company, but I met some of my very favorite people there, so it served its purpose.

Now for some of my favorite WordPress blogs:
-Scarlett @ Hello Scarlett Blog. Beautiful shots and sweet posts. A really lovely blog.
-Ehren David Edralin @ Masculine Manhattan. Because who doesn’t love NYC street style, especially when it focuses on the gents?
–Street Smarts for Suburban Moms. Like me, she moved from the city to suburbia. I like to read her take on things and she often poses issues that make me think about how I might handle similar situations.
-Annie @ This Northern Belle. She’s super cute and here in Michigan. A fun, happy lifestyle blog.

Thanks again, Lani! You rock hard.

 

 

 

 

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Meet Tim, Wallpaper Remover Extraordinaire

IMG_7843 (600x800) It’s hard not to talk about our new house without bringing up the wallpaper. It was the first thing you saw when you came in. If it didn’t take your breath away, it certainly surprised you. And it was everywhere. Throughout the entryway, up the staircase, down the upstairs hallway. There was no question we were going to get rid of it. And there was no question who we were going to use: Tim Heidt, wallpaper removal extraordinaire. (There are people out there whose only job is to remove wallpaper? If you have to ask, you’ve never been to Grosse Pointe).

homes.wallpaperI begin my conversation with Tim by asking how he got started. He looks at me curiously, wondering what I mean. I say I’m sure as a little kid he didn’t dream about someday owning a wallpaper removal company. He smiles (as he does many times during our short interview) and says, “well…and I don’t tell everyone this…”(I hold my breath, waiting for the juicy details) “…I used to be a special ed teacher.” Oh. The old, I didn’t make enough as a teacher story. We’ve all heard it before and too many times.

So Tim the special ed teacher with two masters degrees needed to make some extra money. He started working for a painting contractor, removing wallpaper (of course). There was so much work to be done in the world of wallpaper removal that eventually he quit his teaching job and branched off on his own.

IMG_7845 (600x800)Twenty-eight years later, the business is still going strong. I tell him everyone I talk to knows who he is. Realtors, painters, builders, friends. Whenever the subject of wallpaper comes up, people say, “You using Tim?” or “You have to use Tim Heidt. He’s the best.”

He smiles, nodding in agreement. He tells me why he has such a good reputation. “Three things,” he says. Timeliness. Cleanliness. Fairness. He could probably raise his prices (he could. I’ve done online comparisons), but he’s always tried to be fair and it’s clear he’s proud of that. Also, even though he could expand the business, he wants it to stay small. Being an absentee owner is not on the agenda.

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Matt, working on the first floor bathroom.

We continue talking as he and his assistant Matt prep the walls with glue-eating enzymes (or something). The solution breaks up the wallpaper paste and turns it into what it was before – “icky gooey stuff,” in Tim’s words. Am I going to interview Matt, too?, Tim asks, chuckling. He’s getting a kick out of this interview thing. Um, sure. This is Matt’s third year working for Tim’s Wallpaper Removal. What he enjoys most about the job is traveling around the Detroit area and getting to see a new environment every day.

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Gone.

My final question for both of them: What’s “in” for walls? Matt says he’s seeing a lot of florals and earth tones. Tim says wallpaper is out. But he’s quick to add that wallpaper is much like miniskirts and bell-bottom trousers – it’ll come back. People choose wallpaper because it’s a medium that creates an effect you just can’t duplicate with paint. As I take a last look at the big, bold flowers covering the entryway, I have to agree. Part of me is sad to see it go (but not to worry, I’ve kept the remnants in the basement. Just in case).

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Found: “Grosse Pointe Girl” the Novel

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“Welcome to Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where social rank is determined by the age of your money and the dryness of your martini.” – Book Blurb Opening Line

I came across this book today while doing an online search for the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (more about that later). I smiled when I read the blurb (especially the fantastic opening line above) which tells about a young girl who moves to (surprise) Grosse Pointe at the age of 13, and her social struggles and triumphs throughout her high-school years. Set in the 1980s, the book promises cultural references and teen dialogue that will appeal to any reader (can’t figure out who the book is geared towards – tween or young adult). It was published in 2004 and written by a (surprise) former Grosse Pointe resident.

Amazon reviews give it high praises, but reviewers on more bookish sites like Goodreads say that at best, it was an easy read, at worst, it didn’t have any plot or character development. Ouch. Though it may not be the best read, I don’t doubt it’s a fun one. If I ever get my hands on a copy, I’ll let you know if I’m right.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Monument

the Golden Gate in Fog

The Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco, California

Of course this week’s Photo Challenge has to be the Golden Gate Bridge.
To think I went running here almost every weekend. No matter what the weather, she was breathtaking and inspiring. I always left feeling uplifted and renewed. How I miss her.

the Golden Gate

 

the Golden Gate from Presidio Overlook