My interior design team and I recently finished a renovation project in Philadelphia. We took the opportunity to travel up together as a team for the photoshoot, and, as always, we had a fantastic time. While not everyone needed to be there in person, I didn’t want anyone to miss the chance to see their work on an “away job” come together. Plus, it’s a fun excuse for a change of pace that can often lead to fresh perspectives or, at the very least, a chance to make new memories together. I love traveling with my team, and I take every opportunity to do it. 

On the last day, we all gathered over lunch at a bistro on Rittenhouse Square, and the conversation led to the common difficulties and challenges our clients face when undertaking a renovation. One of the team quoted The Breakfast Club, saying “Screws fall out all the time. The world is an imperfect place.” 

 

And that’s when I realized John Bender has the ideal home renovation mindset and would be the client of my dreams (and not just the teenage heartthrob ones). Now, every prospective client will receive my lecture on adopting “The Breakfast Club” mindset before we begin work. 

 

Be prepared for some loose screws!  

 

“The Breakfast Club” Home Renovation Mindset

In case you’ve forgotten, in The Breakfast Club there is a scene where John Bender (aka The Criminal), played by Judd Nelson, removes the screws from the library door so it remains closed and protects the group from the judging eyes of Principal Vernon. When the principal asks about it, Bender replies, “Screws fall out all the time. The world is an imperfect place.”

No matter how much we plan, the world will always be imperfect. And there is bound to be a loose screw that falls out, forcing us to take a step back, reevaluate, or simply go with the flow. This is the exact mindset needed for a successful home renovation. 

 

Not Everyone is Cut Out for a Reno, But John Bender is 

I’ve said to potential clients in early meetings that some people are simply not good candidates for renovations. And what I mean is not that they don’t have the budget or vision, but that they simply don’t have the right mindset or temperament to handle all that comes with the process. These individuals fight against it at every step, ultimately making themselves miserable. John Bender, on the other hand, knows screws will come loose. And that is the first acknowledgement you have to make on the way to your dream home. 

 

Clients who come to us are in a privileged position. They have the luxury of time and wherewithal to undertake a design opportunity that will enhance their happiness level and, in most cases, their bottom line. The clients who can remember that design is a privilege, trust their team, and find ways to reframe the inevitable surprises will have a more peaceful and happy time on the journey than those who see every minor conflict as an irreconcilable setback. 

 

This period of change (and challenges that come with it) is a positive adventure that is a necessary, exciting, and even fun process if you have your head in the right place. 

Screws Fall Out All The Time (And Trust Me, They Will!)

Now, I can admit that a home renovation puts folks in a challenging spot! To embrace the process, homeowners must… 

 

Relinquish control of their homes to workers.  

Tune out the messes and noise. 

Change their daily patterns to cope with the disruptions. 

Consider moving to new digs that may be less comfortable and certainly less familiar. 

Change patterns of travel to work or school. 

Tackle difficult conversations about budget with significant others or banks. 

 

Not to mention, there are all the possibilities that the renovation itself may not go to plan. Loose screws can start to pile up, such as learning your favorite fabric is backordered or discovering a wall is structural. 

 

When clients are going through this process with us, we do everything possible to make it easy for them, from helping them find the right building and architecture team to communicating the process and supporting their decision-making. 

However, even when everything is going well, there can be hiccups. People are people, and mistakes are made, but we are there to help correct and rectify any misdirection or errors. Some people manage that better than others. Remember, even the best-laid plans can go wrong from time to time. Coping with it is all about your attitude and your goal.  

 

So, Focus on Getting Out of Detention

John Bender had one goal: escape detention. He never lost sight of his “why,” and neither can you. However, we see it happen all the time. Clients become so immersed in the day-to-day aspects of projects that they sometimes lose sight of why they started the renovation in the first place. In such cases, we must remind them of the goals they set out to achieve with their projects. 

 

Remember, you chose this path, and you did so for a reason! You might see us as agents of chaos right now, but it is controlled chaos. Most importantly, it is for a higher purpose of beauty, comfort, and financial growth. When all is said and done, your home will be worth more in the marketplace and bring so much value to your lifestyle. Ease, function, and beauty are just on the other side. 

Practical Advice for Surviving Your Reno

Assemble the Right Team

The right team will make all the difference. Assemble a team with expertise, folks who are true professionals and have done this type of work before. 

Trust Yourself (and Others) 

Trust is essential for you and your team. Learn to let go and let the experts handle what they know best. 

Remember Your Why 

Keep your “why” top of mind. Go as far as writing it down and displaying it somewhere you’ll see every day! Remember that you chose this path. There are no promises for perfection, but if you have chosen well with your team, you will find your way through.

 

Celebrate Every Win

Don’t wait until the end of the project to celebrate. Celebrate every win you can, even the small ones. 

Plan for Loose Screws

Life is imperfect. Consider in advance how you will manage bumps in the road. It will help everyone know where to focus, and it will help you tolerate difficulties as they arise.

Shift Your Mindset

Your renovation can be a drag or it can be an adventure. But the choice is yours! Remember the privilege it is to undertake such a project.

 

It’s an Imperfect World (But It’s a Beautiful One) 

I have been doing this for a long time now. I can tell you that the majority of what we do is joyful, exciting, and has a positive impact on both us and our clients. However, it’s all about how we each manage the change we bring. 

 

When it comes down to it, what we do as designers is instigate change. And change is hard. However, the results are beautiful. 

 

There will be loose screws. So just remember to embrace this imperfect world.