We had company this evening, and during the conversation, we were asked when we built our ‘new’ house. It has been more than twelve years since we moved in, and it was two years of construction before that. After our company left this evening, I reviewed the ‘house blog’ I had written as the house was being built. As I read, many wonderful memories were remembered, especially of the wonderful crew and skilled contractors who helped bring our long-held dream to life. That blog is here…. www.imaginationcorporation.com/house-project. My favourite post is one I wrote to answer why. Even after twelve years, the same thoughts ring true.
I often get asked why we would put so much money, energy and effort into our new house and build something so different from the norm. People frequently ask me if we are concerned about the resale value. And many worry about what people might think if they were to do such a thing.
We designed and are building our new house because it is our personal dream. This is the kind of house we WANT to live in. It suits our needs and desires. All good reasons in our mind. Each time I stand back to look at the result of our efforts, it makes me smile a big old smile. I suspect it will for as long as it stands. We weren't concerned about what other people might think. This is our house, not theirs.
Our small acreage is perfect for the unique building, somewhat distanced from our neighbours, not in the middle of a subdivision where it would stick out like a sore thumb. We didn’t build this house to resell. We are, in fact, building it with wide hallways, big doors, fully wheelchair accessible - just in case we may need these features in our old age, hopefully many years in coming. Should we ever have to sell, we'll move on, knowing we've had a chance to live out our wildest dream - with no regrets.
The house is, of course, designed to serve as a calling card for our business - a giant 'sign' out by the road. It uses every technique we have mastered through the more than forty years we have been in business and a few new tricks we have invented - just for this project. It is designed to gather attention and showcase our work. It does all that in a very grand fashion.
I know for a fact that many are talking about our house project, both locally and much further afield. Every single day, scores of people take the time and effort to stop their cars as they drive by and take pictures. Hopefully, they show the pictures to their family and friends or post them to Facebook or elsewhere on the internet - and in the process provide us free advertising for our business. The house has already brought us new paying projects. The house will undoubtedly garner a lot of media attention in the coming years. That has already begun.
Each day, we see many smiling faces and lots of friendly waves. Many stop to tell us they love the new house and its bold and unique styling. In a few months, we'll get to move in and enjoy the inside space and keep making it ever more special to us. Family and friends will join us as we use it to its full capability.
When we move in, we will indeed truly be living the dream! (And we continue living the dream a dozen years later!)
