I remember reading about this project on one of the threads I have followed. You were so excited about the possibilities. So sorry that your work has not come to fruition.

Ha! Didn't mean to 'copy' Ann's words.

Hey LB, Sorry to hear this news. Too bad, they are missing out on one terrific lady! HOA's have way to much red tape to cut through. Their loss is our gain;)

Sorry to hear about your disappointment .. definitely their loss!

I hope you keep the proposal in your portfolio as an example of the thorough and creative and logical work you do. It really is impressive; you did your job, they didn't do theirs.

Thank you so much Ann, Samoken, Margo & Lainie.

Soosun, thanks. It's like having a a very nice dream and wanting it to come true. Then know it can't. Yes of course going in my portfolio.

They snooze and they lose. What a great plan!

Oh, LB, I am so sorry that you could not bring your vision to reality! It would have been beautiful!

Thank you tagan & Depo. I have to admit, I tried not to be disappointed, but it just didn't work.

Oh LB, I am so sorry to hear of your disappointment. It is sad when things you are really looking forward to don't happen:(

Sorry to hear it didn't work out the way you wanted, LB. But hey, more fun for us! It was a bit quiet with you so busy elsewhere...

Sorry LB that they did not follow through to the end with your design choices. I'm sure you offered a lot of "bang" for the buck which is very difficult to do in these kind of projects.

I'm sure they will regret their decision in the end and will probably have to spend more money to end up with half the design you proposed.

LB---

I'm sorry your "vision" never came to fruition. I've read your posts here and there regarding this project and I know and understand how much time, energy, and creativity you invested. There is no doubt, the HOA will regret having not agreed to this project---think of it as their loss, not yours LB. Best Wishes to You! :))

Oh LB, not even sure what else to say........other than what a bunch of BS! Don't let it bring you down for too long, LB.......it's their loss. And what it could mean is that it's freed you up now for even a bigger and better opportunity. Like you said....on to the "next".

{hugs}

So sorry to hear that they changed their minds LB. I'm sure it would have been lovely. Try and look on the bright side- think of what their HOA meetings must be like and be thankful you don't have to participate ;-)

Hi, avery2pt0, can you message me?

Hi LB, so disappointed the HOA is disorganized. Ours asked for a few volunteers to be the decorating committee. They made the initial decisions with the help of a decorator, to present to the board. They were also given a budget. It worked out well. We are self managed as we got rid rental/property managers. CDR is correct that buyers look for updated environments. The lobby area is a very important first impression. Hopefully, they will come around soon.

Roxsol thank you. It is difficult to have a vision and know that you will not see it in reality.

Babo thanks for missing me. Sadly, I've missed seeing all of you for a long time.

Mark, thank you. those are my thoughts too. I think they will try to recreate some of it, thinking it will be less money. For sure, I know they can't. I've done too much research. Including Craigslist furniture that is rare to find items with quality and low prices, let alone knowing what can work together. It will most likely be a challenge for them. Then with all different viewpoints and tastes. Looking at it, I'm glad I'm not involved. Just for a few of the things they agreed upon. I gave them great choices, and without any up charges besides. Style changes won't even matter. It's the way it needs to blend and come together. What does matter is the colors of the items they might select. I agree, I'm quite sure it will be a lot of effort, disagreements and will still not come close to the overall feeling of the space.

Thank you CDR. All the tenants own their own condo. There are no vacancies. They actually own their units and there is no landlord. You are right, if someone sells, new buyers will find this building uncared for, run down and not inviting. It truly has a reflection on who they are.

Judging by the ages of many of the tenants, I leared that some have been there a long time. They are kind of stuck in old thinking and seems like they just want to repeat the same bare look, trying to achieve an inviting space without finishing it with things that are minimally necessary to achieve what they really want. My feeling is that it will not happen.

Thank you again for the nice words about the renderings. I asked the HOA President, 'why did they think they needed my help in the first place?" He did not know it would be this result and has no idea their thinking. He's not getting them either. At least I know he was understanding me and totally got my purpose and reasoning and wanted me to just do it. So that alone makes me feel that I'm not out of line or crazy. I'm okay.

Natalie, thank you so much for your wishes and very nice words. I'm actually pondering that it might be a blessing in disguise.

Avery, today is when I actually feel more like' onward and upward'. Thanks for your support. I am enjoying my break from the long hours and the intensity of trying to do the best I could. It is a bit of a relief. Too many weeks between their meetings (not including me) and no progress along the way since August.

Hi Maureen. I've missed you for a long time. Thank you. I'm actually feeling thankful that I don't have to try to sell myself or ideas. I know there would not be enough agreement anyway. The one and only time I met with 5 male board members, was proof. They all had different needs and tastes. The President and I were on the same page all along. I am grateful for that. It makes up for the rest of it. He was so frustrated with them. He wants to step down and I don't blame him. We were both in the same sinking boat.

Thank you Linda. These owners are self management too. They do not have any managers at all. I really also think that the President is too too nice and needs to be a bit stronger in his approach with the other board members. He has mentioned what he wants to say to them, but knowing him, I'm thinking he actually can't bring himself to be a bit more authoritative. And now he doesn't care. He works full time and is in school for PHD.

Thanks Ann. I looked forward to reading your thread everyday, in trying to find time to keep caught up. It helped me take a break for some fun and camaraderie. It kept me sane :)

With this additional information, I do think this could be a blessing in disguise. As someone mentioned, with the number of homeowners, the appropriate steps would be 1) an information gathering meeting with all owners to gather input into why they want an update, if they want an update and what they look for in an update 2) a committee chosen with a committee head 3) committee research 4) committee reports back with 2-3 choices 4) homeowners vote on final choices.

Something like that.

If I were you, if they called me back, I would go ahead only if I had a clear designation of one person with whom I would be working (committee head, for example) and a clear designation of of the goals.

LB, HOAs and committees can be so challenging! As you know, I love gardening and when we moved in here, I joined the landscape committee. After a few years, I gave up and focused on my own yard. It seemed nothing could get accomplished on the committee. It'll be very nice to have you back on Houzz!

Avery, nice to see you back on Houzz! Hope your living room is coming along nicely and your family is well! Well, at least I'm assuming you're the same Avery:)

CDR, I was led to believe that the President was in more control of this situation. And that whatever their method is, was to be more simplified. He is also trying to protect himself from a law suit as he has mentioned.

Oh boy. In hindsight, I think you are blessed to not be involved.

Aw, your design for the place was beautiful. It looked way more inviting, and useful, than the lumpy old couches. I can imagine your frustration.

Chalk it up to experience. Lesson learned. HOA's are the worst kind of entity to try and get on board with a project like this for exactly the reasons you've mentioned. Unless the group signs over all the decision making to one member... A lawsuit, though? Really? Sheesh.

Think of this breakup now as protecting yourself and be glad it didn't come to that.

CDR, I'm really quite satisfied, since a week has gone by to digest this outcome. I'm relieved. I was beginning to feel I was up against a block wall. I know I did my best for all their requirements.

I'm very happy I handled it the way I did. Retainers received first before any work. The let down pops in once in awhile. But will pass. I'm a positive person and do not dwell on mishaps. I push forward with looking toward a new adventure.

Thanks everyone for your support and kindness. We all need that now and then . Thank you all !!!

Thank you Rred. I told them, the lobby was not used much because it was 'not inviting'. It looked like they were moving in or moving out.

Hi Ann! Yes, it's me....the same old Avery ;-) so good to see you on here too! LR/Kitchen/Nook project has now morphed to the LR/K/N/DR/Foyer project. So if you can only imagine....ha! I'll post more info (eventually) as to where we're at. There's been a couple of "game-changers"......which I promise to share with you soon.

@LB, "onward and upward"....so glad to hear that's how you're feeling now. :-)

Stay positive my friend and just know that bigger and better is just around the corner!

As a long time HOA resident and board member, I think it is foolish to involve the homeowners at large in design projects. Most aren't even interested in the financial security of the common area. Get a committee, come up with a couple of options, present it to the board for decision and approval. The end.

I was in charge of an exterior paint job at one point. It took two years before completion. One member of the committee actually produced samples that bordered on purple. Fortunately, we hired a paint consultant and she was able to get the various personalities on track. The end result was beautiful for our environment and we all learned a lot about getting projects done. Involving people who haven't done the research just leads to discord.

Thank you Adivra. I was feeling that would be what I was facing too. Not my cup of tea. I move too fast. Slowing down to a halt is not comfortable :).

They planned on having me design the 2nd & 3rd floor lobbies later, that were not in the original beginning plan. Then changed it to eliminating Main Floor suggestions and adding 2nd & 3rd floor walls & flooring in the mix. And this was after the contractor estimates for only the Main Lobby. Then after 2nd & 3rd floor lobbies, possibility of designing the 6 hallways to their units. So who knows if they will want my input for the future. This could turn into years.

Avery, please message me.

Hi Chook! So good to see you! Ok....will send you a message later on today.... :-)

hope you're doing well!

I'm good, very busy with the Yearbook, with other Houzzers, plus I've roped in my family!

LB it's great you are feeling the onward and upward vibe......I am so glad you will have more time to play with us on Houzz now :)

Hi Tracey! :-)))

Thank you Tracey. I hope I can check in now and then. I don't accomplish much when I'm on Houzz. Hubby really hates to see me on.

I have recently learned that the members will be concentrating on the demolition first . Naturally, the furniture and decorating will be later. They seem to still be open to some help when the time comes. I said I would be available if they still wanted my input. That's a positive.

@Avery2pt0

Hello :) Great to see you back!

Oh LB that sounds positive- fingers crossed it all goes well

Homeowners associations are very difficult. It’s hard to get varying tastes and budgets to agree to move foreword. There’s always a group who thinks they can do it cheaper or better. The most successful projects are those where the board hires the designer, makes the decision and gets it done. The more homeowners involved, the less likely anything (good) will happen.

Continue getting paid in advance for your hours so you are not being used for free advice. Then ask yourself if you truly want this job.