I have my own landscape design studio. It's quite small since I'm the only employee but the benefits can't be beat. A few years ago, I bid on a renovation design for someone I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't needed the money. Since it was during the winter, I jumped on it because it's good to line up jobs to keep you busy during the summer work months. Oregon isn't a fun place to work outside during the winter especially in soil that becomes mud for six months.
She and her husband had moved up from California, selling their million-dollar home and paying cash for a new one here in Oregon. It seems that's been the case for quite a few years and will continue until Oregon is full of ex-Californians.
I received the call for a bid unexpectedly. Most of my clients are referrals by word of mouth. This particular caller was the exception. I had remembered back a few months when a persistent sales clerk had stopped by and talked me into placing an ad in a new local phonebook. It's since gone away but that ad was apparently in a book the previous owners had left at the house.
She seemed quite nice on the phone telling me their situation and needs prior to my site visit. I explained my fees and my landscape design process. We agreed to meet and go over her ideas and for me to make notes and sketches.
This was in late February, I finally had some free time so we set a date and I arrived at her "McMansion". For the uneducated "McMansions are those five thousand square foot house built on lots for houses half their size. This one was no exception.
Her husband had made a large profit in Silicon Valley and they both had grown tired of the traffic and hectic life that came with that area. Moving to Oregon allowed her to stay home and do whatever she pleased and for him to work as much or as little as he wanted. He was barely ever home.
She greeted me at the door and I wasn't surprised in the least, she looked just like she sounded on the phone, youngish and in her mid thirties. She was dressed casually in tight designer jeans and a very snug fitting sweater, which accented her perfectly round breasts. She had very little if any make-up on her face.
In fact, she looked as if she had walked right off the centerfold of any high-class men's magazine. Her face was tan; her long blonde hair fell straight down her back to the middle part of her butt. I wondered if she had implants but didn't have the nerve to ask, her breasts were a bit too large for her body shape and size. I knew that right away she had no children. Giving birth and breast-feeding would have spoiled her perfect body. Her shoes were somewhat out of place for lounging around, pumps with a 3" heel. Her whole outfit fit her well and showed her off without being too chic.
I didn't think I would mind working for her at all just as long as she paid her bills on time. She knew what she wanted renovated in her yard and wasn't about to take low bidder. We had talked a bit about backgrounds during our telephone conversations. I would have guessed just meeting her she was a trophy wife but I was mistaken, she was definitely a smart woman, her MBA from UCLA testified to that.
"Hello, I'm Marla you called and wanted a design for your backyard?" I knew I had the right address but one never knows when someone answers the door if it's the correct place.
She smiled looking me up and down, "Hello Marla, I'm Yvette nice to meet you. Come on in and I'll show you the area I need to have redone.
I walked in and followed her to the backyard. The house was magnificent who ever decorated it made good use of all the newest electronic gadgets and most stylish furniture. I thought to myself even if I had the money I wouldn't live like this, so cold and not like a home at all.
I enjoyed the way her cheeks moved in those tight jeans, I was hoping she didn't notice my gawking at her rear as we headed through the house to the backyard. Luckily, for us we picked one of the few rainless days in the month, a bit chilly but without rain.
We walked outside and I was surprised. I had expected the typical tiny yard with very little open space, instead I found they had purchased the lot behind them and extended the yard. A black bottom pool and an in-ground spa were the focal points. They entertained quite a great deal and wanted more privacy from the neighbors but still have sun lit areas around the spa and pool.
"This is very nice, Yvette", I smiled and looked around noticing plenty of room to try out my ideas and make something worth showing off happen.
"Thank you Marla, I didn't have any of the old plants put back. I wanted to start from scratch which probably makes it easier for you." She replied sure of my answer.
"Yes, it gives me a clean slate, so to speak." We both grinned at each other knowing we had begun to think along the same lines.
We went over a few do's and don't then I measured the borders so I could begin on drawings. We went back into the house after a few minutes in part due to the cool air becoming cold and it was easier to discuss initial ideas in a warm kitchen rather than a cold backyard.
She already had coffee for us as we sat at her kitchen table discussing ideas. She had a custom blend and I was quite amazed at how good it tasted and asked where I might pick some up. She smiled and wrote down the name of the store. She even gave me a small package with enough in it for a few pots. I thanked her and blushed a bit with this unexpected gift.
I made notes as we talked and felt more at ease with her as we discussed the yard face to face. I began to notice after a few ideas she really liked that she would inch her chair closer and closer. Her hand would brush mine every so often, as I made notes or wrote down plant and color scheme ideas. Assuming she wanted more involvement with the process and planning.
