Yesterday, I went to ADAC (Atlanta Decorative Arts Center) with my decorator/designer/daughter from Regas Interiors - Kim Regas herself. This morning when I was thinking about blogging, I realized once again that she had had me so engaged in what we were looking for that I forgot to take pictures of this precious woman doing one of the things she does best. I promised myself last time we journeyed into her world that I would do just that, so I could share it with you here. Well, pictures or no, I'm sharing anyway!
What maddening conditions Kim has to work under! Her creativity is always limited by the client's financial means, color taste, style and time frame, not to mention personality. Then she has the limitation of her own personal schedule: she has to meet the needs of the ever-present carpool line, afternoon snacks and motherhood. I watched her tackle this task up close yesterday, always acting as if she had all the time in the world, always greeting everyone in the showrooms with a warm demonstration of respect, kindness and professionalism and always, always being patient and understanding with me. She worked so hard giving me all the time I needed, trying to hear what I wanted and turning it into reality without letting me make big mistakes.
She also gives much of her time and talent away pro bono (and I get my fair share!). Last week, Kim's months of accumulative work came together helping the children's school with their annual fundraising auction/gala that provides the school with tens of thousands of dollars.
What maddening conditions Kim has to work under! Her creativity is always limited by the client's financial means, color taste, style and time frame, not to mention personality. Then she has the limitation of her own personal schedule: she has to meet the needs of the ever-present carpool line, afternoon snacks and motherhood. I watched her tackle this task up close yesterday, always acting as if she had all the time in the world, always greeting everyone in the showrooms with a warm demonstration of respect, kindness and professionalism and always, always being patient and understanding with me. She worked so hard giving me all the time I needed, trying to hear what I wanted and turning it into reality without letting me make big mistakes.
When another client calls her cell phone (and they do frequently), she talks to them as though they are the only client she has, yet efficiently, without letting them know that she is busy and doesn't have time to talk. It's amazing. She has learned to keep good notes, remember names of showroom vendors and to keep up with what is new and old in the design world.
She also gives much of her time and talent away pro bono (and I get my fair share!). Last week, Kim's months of accumulative work came together helping the children's school with their annual fundraising auction/gala that provides the school with tens of thousands of dollars.
I watch all my daughters interact with their families and each other and I think they couldn't be any better. I hear about their great accomplishments in their chosen professions and know they are excellent a
t what they do, and it is a privilege to watch, to get a glance at the woman away from being a daughter, a wife, a mother. As exhausting as their lives must be, I think Hanna Montana doesn't have anything on any of them...they are the best in both worlds!
t what they do, and it is a privilege to watch, to get a glance at the woman away from being a daughter, a wife, a mother. As exhausting as their lives must be, I think Hanna Montana doesn't have anything on any of them...they are the best in both worlds! 
New York (March 1 – 3, 2009) was a trip filled with new experiences. Upon arriving at the airport, Terrence and I loaded our things into a car that Kate had sent to pick us up. We were delivered to a bed and breakfast in Brooklyn called the Akwaaba Mansion…six blocks down and two blocks over from the brownstone where Kate and Jeremy live. We found Akwaaba to be well maintained, old but delightfully decorated in eclectic antique furniture and African art. Our room was called the “Jumping the Broom" room - one of four guestrooms - and was designed for newlyweds and romantic weekenders. It had a double-sized jacuzzi, which I later discovered filled with a bubble bath and strewn with rose petals! Down the hall from us was a small, one-chair reading library, and next door to it, an equally intimate room for watching television. A cozy fire warmed the living room downstairs that connected to a huge dinning room where the guests shared morning breakfast as well as afternoon tea. Across the hall was a ball room with two fireplaces , and it is often used for parties, weddings and other such special events.
Saturday evening, Kate literally took care of us at her apartment on Putnam Street. She pampered her father with a eucalyptus steam bowl, cold medications, and hot herbal tea with ginger and honey. If he didn’t feel better after all of that, he most certainly did while being served a wonderful dinner of local sole over a bed of lightly sautéed radicchio, small white beans, shallots and fish broth with a side of beer-steamed maple kale (the like of which I have never tasted before!). It was an excellent dinner and a memorable evening.
Kate joined us, and the rest of the B & B guests, in the dinning room the following morning for breakfast. We ate and talked, learning about each other and again enjoying good food. Of course Kate made friends with all those who were there.
Snow fell steadily all night and much of the following day as Terr finished up his business on the 34th floor of a high rise building. I was given a comfortable place to read, write, text and hang out while he was in meetings. I was invited to lunch together with the group and enjoyed watching the way my husband conducts himself professionally. I found it no wonder that he is so successful and a true “super lawyer.” I don’t get to see that side of him very often and it was a pleasure to be there.
Well, we made it home about midnight, even though many of the flights were cancelled. The Atlanta snow was all but gone. The house, bird and fish were fine and it felt good to get back into our own bed. I’m sure you all have many snow tales to tell, and I want to hear them all! I miss you when I’m away. 