“If you don’t climb the mountain, you will never be able to enjoy the view.” ~Pablo Neruda

It’s always a little crazy the week before a show home opens, because that’s the week I usually get to add furnishings, drapes, wall art, and pretties. It’s when the vision you and the client dreamt up a few months ago finally comes to life.

So, the week before the 2017 Big Brothers Big Sisters Veneto Show Home opened, I dropped off 3 full truckloads of stuff. All that week, I took more truckloads. I was scared I’d get pulled over because I couldn’t see out the back window through all the fluffy stuff—all the pillow forms, duvets and covers, the steamer to press bedding, and my designer toolkit: pencil and paper, measuring tape, camera, Goo Gone, Windex and paper towel, microfibre cloth, double-sided tape, floor protectors, picture hangers, level, scissors, knife, razor blade to take labels off, lightbulbs and batteries. Be prepared.

2 days before the home opens…total gong show. Electricians, painters, appliance people, audio visual installers, the general contractor, the builder—all on site, all trying to iron out issues.

And in the middle of this craziness, my stuff begins rolling in…so many deliveries from so many stores. Some set up and take away garbage. Some don’t; they just dump everything anywhere there is a clear space on the floor (*eyeroll*), and yes, they still charge for delivery! Is there a bin outside for all this cardboard and wrapping materials? Bam! A couple of deliveries at the same time, and then one at the very end of the day.

I’m standing in this house surrounded by furniture and garbage everywhere. Everyone is now relying on me to make it happen in time for opening day. It’s the Ann show. Where do I start?!?! Can you imagine completing your  whole home in 1 day? On a budget? This is happening faster than a New York minute!

Stay tuned for the big reveal in part 3. (Did you miss NYC in YEG – Dream Home Part 1?) Also, please buy some tickets. Big Brothers Big Sisters do amazing things for kids!