Simply Fabulous

We had dinner with two friends that live in the neighborhood this evening. One of them is a talented architect and designer and the other is a retired school teacher who also has a flair for decorating. They live together as long time friends and co-investors. Their home (which they completely remodeled) and decor is simply stunning and was featured in one of the recent annual home tours. I'm sure their home would sell for no less than $2 million.

They are always entertaining in short doses but it can be draining to spend too much time with them. Their world is seen in black and white with everything falling under the following categories: fabulous, to-die-for, unreal or dreadful, hideous and ghastly. If it's not fabulous, then it must be thrown out or torn down. I cringe at the thought of having them critique anything of ours. Just the same, we enjoy hearing about their experiences of living the high life, usually paid for by filthy rich clients.

The architect is currently commissioned to furnish an extremely wealthy client's home in the most exclusive area of Newport Beach. He actually designed the client's house which was built just a few years ago. After completion of the house, they parted ways because they were both too strong willed to have a healthy client relationship. The client recently contacted our friend to convince him to come back to do the interior design. Our friend agreed on the condition that the client would have zero input on the selection and that he would have carte blanche to buy every single item from every piece of furniture down to the linens and table settings. Everything currently in the house, expensive and designer stuff as they are, would have to literally tossed out. I'm aghast that anyone can just get rid of a $15k couch. It's even more appalling that the client agreed completely to the terms.

For the past two weeks, our two friends have been traveling all over southern California and the east coast snapping up furnishings to fill the home. The client didn't even know they were in North Carolina last week (on a trip they had already planned) and had bought stuff there. He found out because his credit card company alerted him that large purchases were being charged to his account! They plan on spending over $150k to furnish the 3500 sq foot home. (Homes in this small waterfront area are not grotesquely huge due to the cost of the land but homes average many millions.) I'm looking forward to seeing the place when they've finished furnishing it. I'm sure that it will truly be fabulous.

Total spent Sunday:
$54 supermarket (saved $21 with double coupons)
$75 massage with tip
$42 dinner for 2 with friends (saved $20 with Entertainment card)

Total spent Monday:
$0 working lunch on the company
$4 Starbucks

Total spent today:
$0 brought lunch
$19 dinner for 2 (saved $9 with Entertainment card)