Building Site Wilderness
In theory this will be my sons’ shower room…
I know this part of building projects happen. Every. Single. Time.
And I manage my clients’ expectations, telling them that it’s perfectly normal that it feels like nothing is advancing. I say that this is a really important phase in the progression of the site, and thanks to this period, their new apartment will function perfectly, for a long time. And that it’s normal, as the builders have to spend time getting all the fundamentals prepared.
And yet. I feel like I’m back in my high school English literature classes, learning about the willing suspension of disbelief. Except that I’m hoping that disbelief will not be the result!!
It’s so strange to be experiencing the same emotions as my clients, and not to have me there to reassure myself! It’s actually very good for me to be going through what my clients go through again, and to realise, again, how natural it is to have these thoughts and feelings. That even though it’s my job, and I’ve done this dozens of times, I’m still feeling like this! And thus to what extent my clients need me there to reassure them that all is well and explain things.
I’m self-soothing, as best I can, and it’s mostly working. And Monsieur Hamlil (the contractor) is being his usual dependable, thinking, proactive self - such rare and precious qualities in a builder!
And rationally, I can actually see that now the electricity phase is over. I can see the ‘saignées’ (literally ‘bloodletting’ which feels very, very appropriate!) where Monsieur Hamlil and his team have dug channels in the walls for the electric cables to pass to the power outlets and light sockets. I can see the functioning parts of the power outlets and light sockets actually embedded in the walls.
Also, now I can see that they are making the walls good, burrowing into existing cracks to make them larger so that the plaster filler adheres better. And they have just started to work more on the plumbing - Monsieur Hamlil had a suggestion this morning to make the loo (‘WC’ - vay-say - water closet, would you believe?) more comfortable and spacious by lowering pipe casing on one side and putting other pipes in the neighboring shower room instead.
But still. I have thoughts of ‘what on earth have I done? I could have just moved in, and it would have been fine!’ (it wouldn’t have been). And ‘how long is this going to last? Is Hocine* really sure that this is going to be ready in three months’ time?’. These fears are reinforced by the fact that every morning and evening on my way to and from The Hub (my coworking space) I walk past a house that has been undergoing renovation for almost a year. Every time I walk past I think ‘That poor house! Those poor people! What on earth are they doing that is taking sooo long? And who is managing that project??’
Luckily though, I have learned to trust the process, I know that this part happens. That it feels like the wilderness and will keep looking like a true building site for another good few weeks before we move on to the finishes.
Also, I would trust Monsieur Hamlil with my life, and have worked with him for what feels like forever. So I know that he’s just working his magic, and that even if it doesn’t seem to be advancing very fast, we’re on track in terms of timing. That even if it’s most definitely not functional and comfortable right now, it will be, thanks to my design and all Hocine’s suggestions for improvements here and there.
And it will be beautiful! I designed it, for goodness sake, so I’ll definitely love it! I chose all the finishes - the paint colors and the wallpapers, the tile, and with Hocine we’ll choose a beautiful solid wood parquet. I’m choosing light fixtures. And I’m planning where to put my furniture and looking forward to welcoming beloved, inherited family furniture. I will feel at home and be able to relax and put down deep roots, at long last.
Still.
I just want it finished already!!
If you have any questions, I’d be delighted to answer them, just drop me a line! antonia@bluesparks.paris
* Monsieur Hamlil and I have worked together now for about 15 years. He suggested a few months ago that we call each other by our first names. So we do. Although I haven’t quite gotten used to it yet and sometimes still waver and call him Monsieur Hamlil instead of Hocine from time to time. And, in case you’re wondering, we still vouvoie each other, no tu in sight! The vous here is a sign of mutual respect, which feels perfectly appropriate.