ln my profession, I’ve settled into upscale residential projects for the most part. Not only can the duration of these design and construction projects be long term, I also design houses that can stand the test of time. As such, mine is not a business dependent on repeat customers.
But sometimes magic happens. Mrs. M (initial only to protect her privacy), phoned me to inquire about our services as she’d seen an article that was published on one of our projects in a shelter magazine with national distribution. Newly pregnant with her fourth child, she wanted to know if I would be interested in designing a large family estate in the Washington, D.C. area. I GOT ON A PLANE.
“Little did I know this was to be the beginning of a beautiful, long-term relationship.”
Little did I know this was to be the beginning of a beautiful, long-term relationship. Our first collaboration was a 15,000 sq. ft. combination of new-build and renovation. The criteria included respecting the religious observations of this Orthodox Jewish family. Fortunately, I had years of experience designing the homes of observant Jews in Montreal in the early days of my career.
Designers in Southwest Florida so seldom get the pure pleasure of designing spaces for children. The M family gave me the opportunity to spoil 4 children that were not my own. It was certainly hectic working with this busy young family, but we became a team with a common goal.
Today the M family still enjoys this large but homey house filled with character and love. It is considered the family headquarters even though they’ve spread out across the globe. This project won local, regional, and national design awards.
While overseeing the installation of furniture and finishing touches on a Naples project, my cell phone lit up with Mrs. M’s name. It had been a few years since the D.C. house was completed. I thought of them often and was really pleased to hear from her. “Would you meet us in Miami to look at condos?”, she asked. The family was now ready for a holiday house and another opportunity to work for this fine family was in front of me. I GOT IN MY CAR.
The M family gave me the opportunity to spoil 4 children that were not my own. It was certainly hectic working with this busy young family, but we became a team with a common goal. Today the M family still enjoys this large but homey house filled with character and love. It is considered the family headquarters even though they’ve spread out across the globe. This project won local, regional, and national design awards.
While overseeing the installation of furniture and finishing touches on a Naples project, my cell phone lit up with Mrs. M’s name. It had been a few years since the D.C. house was completed. I thought of them often and was really pleased to hear from her. “Would you meet us in Miami to look at condo’s?”, she asked. The family was now ready for a holiday house and another opportunity to work for this fine family was in front of me. I GOT IN MY CAR.
Mr. and Mrs. M settled on a penthouse unit in Bal Harbour, FL, the northermost point of Miami Beach. We all agreed this was the best of the best with it’s 270 degree panoramic views. In fact, we started referring to it as “irreplaceable”. There were many floor plan changes that would make this space just right for the M family, but of course I understood the limitations of renovations in condominium high-rises as I’ve designed over 200 of these types of projects. But I definitely needed to bring my “A-game” to this one! This time the design style was to be decidedly modern.
Much care was taken between myself and Mrs. M to make sure we had the possibility of sleeping and feeding what would sometimes be over 30 people for Shabat (Sabbath), a time in which families stay with each other and share religious observances. That was a tall order so our team created a desk that adds to the dining table, beds that pop out of wall art, concealed panels that slide out of cabinetry to make rooms instead of areas. We did as much product engineering as architecture and interior design!
I am most pleased to report that the M family loves this made-just-for-them home in the sky. They’ve shared stories about the great times they’ve had with their loved ones in this pitch perfect place where we carefully considered their specific needs. This project won local, regional, and national design awards.
We completed the Bal Harbour project and moved on to other exciting projects with new clients. And then the phone rang . . .
After catching up with Mr. M on news about our respective families, he asked if I would travel to Jerusalem, Israel to look at a property they’d acquired.
I GOT ON A PLANE.
Ten year later, the project is complete. The M’s have two beautiful grandchildren, and I have six. In 2008, I started on a journey in which I would design the renovation of an historical building that is located right outside the Old City walls of Jerusalem. In the endeavor, I’d deal with bureaucracy like I’d never seen, and have so far made 27 trips to Jerusalem. People tell me I know the city better than the taxi drivers! This project sits at the pinnacle of my life’s work. Truly, if I didn’t know I was made of pretty sturdy stock before, this project tested me. It took pure tenacity to complete it.
We excavated a 10’ deep basement in pure marble, by hand as no equipment could get into the site. That alone took a year and half. But now there is a theater that doubles as a safe room which is a necessity in volatile places, but it’s next to the wine room so your nerves can be calmed if the safe room is ever needed! Massive changes were made to accommodate the family in this building that began life as a mill which became a granary which became a temporary Synagogue which became an Israeli Army installation when the Jordanian Legionaires were shooting at our building from the ramparts of the Old City walls. I could write a book on this one. Not only was this a once-in-a-lifetime project, but the most impactful voyage of my life. If you have not been to Jerusalem,
GET ON A PLANE!
It was an absolute honor to represent the M family in Jersualem, even with all the difficulties I encountered there. I also think back to the projects in D.C. and Bal Harbour with wistfulness. Proof positive of the magic that happens when a designer’s skills and talents meet the needs of the clients. I’ve grown to love this family, and it is a mutual feeling. I expect this project will win local, regional, and national awards. The next time they call, I will
GET ON A PLANE. - Jenny Provost
“Proof positive of the magic that happens when a designer’s skills and talents meet the needs of the clients.”
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