We want our clients to look at their experience with Jack Waddell Interiors
in a positive light. Key attitudes for both parties in a successful designer-client
relationship are cooperation, flexibility, enthusiasm, and mutual respect. In addition, we
have found that the most successful projects have been those in which both we and the
client have maintained a sense of humor.
"One of the many, many things I found
attractive about Bill McCarthy in our early days of "courting" was his beautiful
apartment. It was furnished with wonderful antiques and beautiful artwork, which reflected
Bill's clear sense of style and value and beauty. It also reflected, I found out later,
his good fortune to have met Jack Waddell. I think Jack had more than a little something
to do with Bill's successful dating career.
When Bill and I decided to merge our lives and
apartments some years later, we found a beautiful old unit in the building in which we
both already lived. "She had good bones" we decided but dearly needed to have a
face lift. I don't think we even discussed what our next step was; we both just assumed
that Jack would make it a home for us. Although we got a good deal on the apartment, we
still didn't want our total investment (apartment, rehab and decorating) to exceed what
others units were going for the in building. We gave Jack what we thought was a reasonable
but conservative budget and two apartments full of furniture, rugs, art and stuff.
We spent quite a bit of time talking about what
each of our visions were for the apartment. Bill wanted a French country look and lots of
light. I wanted interesting but comfortable and definitely not that "decorated"
look. We wanted to use as much of the furniture we already owned as possible. Bill's
furniture was very formal - lots of English antiques, oriental rugs, brocades and velvets.
My house was much more casual - oak antiques, chintz and linen and throw rugs. Both of our
art collections reflected those same differences. And therein lies the talent of Jack
Waddell. He said it would all work together (with a little weeding and a little addition)
and it did.
Jack gave us our assignment (find a living room
rug we could both agree on) while he hired all the contractors to do the rehab. They went
to work on tearing down ceilings, refinishing floors and installing built-in bookshelves
that look like they've always been there. We finally chose our rug the night before his
deadline, and then Jack really went to work on the fun stuff. We would still be picking
out colors and fabrics if we were doing this ourselves and making costly mistake after
costly mistake. He brought us sets of sample fabrics that worked together for each room.
Rarely did he not have all the right possibilities already in hand when we met (and at the
right prices!). Our lives chucked along quite uninterrupted while Jack et al worked their
miracles.
I wish you could see our home. You would never
know that this was the merging of two very different homes. It is Bill's French country
home and it's my beautifully casual home. The piece de resistance was the day Jack hung
our artwork. Together, Bill and I had close to 100 pieces of art. We lined them all around
the house and Jack started with one print and the rest just feel into place. It was truly
amazing, and it remains our home's crowning glory.
We recently redid the bedroom to make it as
beautiful and interesting as the rest of the house, and it is gorgeous. It was another of
Jack's "trust me," and he was right again. I feel like I'm going to bed every
night in an old, old French country home. It's an amazing environment and quite a
transformation from before. We also just finished the entry way (the new faux painting
done by Jack himself matches the antique alabaster light fixture we found in Boston and
makes for a beautiful introduction to the apartment) and Bill's sports wall where the
clouds on the ceiling seem so appropriate for all of those old Cubs and Red Sox and
Yankees pictures.
I'm always asked two questions when people see
our home: 1) Did anyone help you (my favorite because it means it doesn't look
"decorated") and 2) What's it like to work with Jack. Working with Jack is so
simple and fun and at the end of the day rewarding. He does most of the work, helps make
hard decisions easy and leaves you with a home that you don't want to leave. And he is
very respectful and understanding of personal foibles and budgets.
Bill died recently and for awhile it was
difficult to be in our home. Now, I'm once again grateful that Jack helped us weave our
lives together and left me with a home that reflects Bill, Peggy and, of course,
Jack."
Peggy L. Tracy
"I write in praise of Jack Waddell, his
staff and the realistic redecoration of our expansive apartment. What seemed a monumental
task became the challenging revision of our tired furnishings that we loved even more when
completed.
Jack has an affinity for creating beautiful
settings. We learned from our first meeting with him that he would quickly execute all of
the changes we agreed on; after he brought swatches and materials to chose from and as
swift as the proverbial "genie" he produced what he promised; also, all his
artisans were spontaneously on time blending with the sprit of Jack's artistry.
I find his advise on-going and timely, with a
personal touch along with what everyone wants... punctuality.
My husband and I are proud of our revitalized
possessions and most comfortable with our personalized decorative assistance. We celebrate
you, Jack Waddell. You made it look so smooth!"
Thank you,
John and Patricia Duff
Re: Historic Rehabilitation of the Aurora Hotel
"I am writing to say how pleased we are
with the work that you have done for us during the restoration of the lobby and public
areas of the building. We knew that the lobby could be good, but with your help and
detailed ideas it is wonderful. Everyone who sees it can't believe that a building that
has been vacant for 17 years with a leaky roof could possibly look as it does. The Mayor
of Aurora was so impressed that he might give us the "Key to the City."
Many thanks for your industrious, artistic,
imaginative, workable ideas, which kept within our defined budgets. We can't wait to do
the next deal!"
HAROLD D. RIDER & ASSOCIATES
Harold D. Rider, CRE, CPM President
"It seems like a good time to let you know
how pleased I am with the work you have done on the homes I have designed, as well as my
personal home which we are just completing. I couldn't be more impressed with the
imagination and creativity you have brought to the interior design of these homes. The
ideas never seem to stop and they all seem to work exceptionally well. You are always on
"top" of the jobs and you and your staff are so well organized. Your billing is
also very fair and reliable. But more than anything else, it has been a complete joy
working with you and your very positive approach to interior design (and life). I have
been designing luxury, high end North Shore homes for over 35 years and have never worked
with such a fine, positive, talented interior designer. I am looking forward to many more
years working together."
Best Regards, Charles Page
Architect |
