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Fall Newsletter, 2017

Mentor

By: Wayne Coolidge
   Wendy and I were traveling home from a trip recently and came across a commentary as we were channel surfing the radio. The narrator was saying how every successful business person has had a mentor. I turned to Wendy and scoffed, “That’s not true – I never had a mentor.” She looked at me in total disbelief and said, “Of course you did!” She could tell by my expression that I didn’t believe her so she said, “Rich Correll”.
   What? Rich Correll? How could he be my mentor? He was an architect from Hampton that I started working with back in the mid 80’s, whom over time became one of my best friends- but certainly not my mentor. But as I started thinking about it, the memories flooded back…
   When I first met Rich, I was a young cocky builder in my early 20’s who thought he knew everything. Rich required a specific format for submitting qualified proposals and mine were anything but that. He brought me into his office numerous times to explain the format and help me fine tune the process until I got it right.
   It wasn’t long before I was awarded one of his projects and then he really became a pain in my ass. I was pretty good at reading blueprints, but his were very detailed and intricate. There was definitely some “on the job training”. But that was the easy part of the job – the behind the scenes paperwork was daunting. Through trial and error, he taught me how to prepare: RFI (Requests For Information), weekly job reports, construction schedules, the etiquette of working in people’s houses, and most importantly billing (in triplicate and notarized).
   After being awarded a couple of his jobs, I learned another lesson and his motto – if it is drawn on the plans then the client owns it. Then, for all the future projects that I bided on, I began digging deeper into the drawings than I ever had before. I started counting every piece of wood, every nail, and anticipating the whole building process better.
   My estimate detailing got so good under his tutelage, that he would hire me to meet with his clients during the design process to make sure the project was on budget. I would sit for hours in meetings with his clients working on pricing and interacting with design ideas.
   Hummm… so he taught me how to read plans, detail project costs, prepare and submit proposals, interact with clients, schedule projects, prepare all the behind the scenes paperwork and billing. Wendy was right – he was my mentor. How did I not see it? Maybe it was because I was too close to it? After 30 years of working together and endless hours of meetings and phone calls – he became one of my best friends. Many people think that an architect and a builder are adversaries – but not us. We were a win-win team that ended up building some beautiful homes together.
   Unfortunately I was never able to tell Rich ‘thank you’ for being my mentor and making me the man I am today - because he passed away on July 12th, the week before Wendy and I heard that commentator on the radio.
 
SNIPET1 (after pushing Rich for a few years to learn CAD)
Rich: I’m going to learn CAD tonight
(next day)
Wayne: How did it go with learning CAD last night?
Rich: It took awhile – but I finally figured out how to turn on the computer
 
SNIPET2 (after Rich tried trimming out an interior window in his house)
Rich: can you come over and help me trim a window?
Wayne: of course
(next day after ripping everything apart)
Rich: I’ll call you sooner next time…
 
SNIPET3 (at the end of a long phone call)
Rich: I’ll talk to you later, I love you, bye.
(30 seconds later the phone rings again)
Wayne: Hello
Rich: I…well… uhhh…I think I just said I love you…
Wayne: I know. That’s ok – I love you too!

Open Closet Design

   You shouldn’t love a room any less just because it lacks a closet. Nowadays, there are so many other options for clothing storage, if you just think outside of the box!
   Probably the simplest solution is to buy a clothing rack or two. Having your wardrobe out in the open can be a fashion statement; however it could also prove to be an eyesore.  Sort carefully through your clothing and take time to weed out anything you wouldn’t want displayed. Purging and creating a fashion rack at the same time is a win-win!
   Another option is to design your own open closet display. You can keep the shelving simple, and instead save your pennies for brackets and hardware that enhance the area. Try floating shelves as they increase storage without looking cluttered.
   If there isn’t enough room to design something or you need more storage space, perhaps under the bed storage may work for you. There are many different options from IKEA of storage boxes that can fit easily under the bed. Like a rattan storage box with a zipping canvas lids or other similar boxes on wheels. Mesh baskets are another great way to add folded items and can be put into a pull-out drawer system. All of these are out of sight, yet easily accessible.

Dare to Dine Outdoors

   Now that the bugs have subsided and the temperature is cooling down, it is the perfect time of year to bring your attention outside. Dining and entertaining can easily be enjoyed outdoors, especially if you stick to these ideas!
   One of the most important pieces for guests to enjoy themselves is keeping them comfortable. With the cool air, it is a great idea to gather around a fire feature, bringing warmth and a sense of coziness. You can further the cozy feeling by putting a large area rug underneath your table, place heavy throw blankets on the back of seats and add cushy chair pillows.
   You will want to set the table with a theme to match the season. Try adding planted pots, like mums, for a seasonal pop of color. It is best to go with dark linens to compliment bright fall accents of orange, red, and yellow. Mini pumpkins, leaves, and metal décor complete the look.
   Just like any other time of year, lighting is essential to setting a mood. For a fall flare, think of flickering lights. A set of candelabras can really dress up a table. For a more casual feel, use low lighting candles or put up string lights.
   Keep these ideas in mind, and you are bound to have a memorable outdoor party this fall season!

Dodge the Draft

   As the weather changes and air becomes cooler, leaks and cold spots can become more apparent through your home. Take the time at the beginning of the season to fix any leaks coming through windows to not only keep your home warmer, but also to save on energy bills. Take a good, close look around the edges of each window; if you can see light to the outside, there is a gap. Another test is to completely close up your house and light a candle (preferably on a windy day). Move the candle close to the window frames, and at any point if the candle flickers or blows away from the window, you have pinpointed a draft. You can seal air leaks by caulking and weather stripping around window frames.

Secret Storage

You could be missing out on storage space in your basement or garage without even knowing it! Screw wire shelving to the underside of joists and they are ready for small totes or anything that can fit between the joists. For an affordable price tag, you just added a lot more storage.

Fun Suggestion

Create a leaf mason jar candle!
 
Materials:
-Leaves (real or fake)
-Mason Jars
-Sponge brush
-Mod podge
-Raffia, twine, or ribbon (optional)
 
Brush mod podge onto jar and let sit until tacky. One by one, place leaves onto jars and brush over each with a coat of mod podge as you go. Let dry overnight. Add raffia or other décor to finish the look. Place a candle inside, light, and enjoy!
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Copyright © 2017 W.A. Coolidge Company, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
PO Box 1701
Dover, NH 03821-1701






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W. A. Coolidge Company · PO Box 1701 · Dover, NH 03821-1701 · USA

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