I have my own landscape design studio. It’s quite small since I’m the only employee, but the benefits can’t be beat. A few years ago, I was asked to do a renovation design for someone I probably wouldn’t have if I hadn’t needed the money during the Winter. I like to get design jobs in the cold part of the year to keep myself busy. This usually insures that I have installations during the Summer months. Oregon isn’t a fun place to work outside during the winter especially in soil that becomes mud. Nurseries shut down so there's very little plant material available for installations. Doing designs and installations means I have a monthly income year round.
One memorable client and her husband had moved up from California during the Fall. They had sold their multi-million dollar home in San Jose to semi-retire here in Oregon. It seems that’s been the case for quite a few years and will continue until Oregon is full of ex-Californians.
I received the call for a bid unexpectedly. Most of my clients are referrals by word of mouth, this was an exception. I had remembered back a few months earlier when a persistent sales woman had stopped by practically begging me to place a small ad in a local throw away. The throw away paper had folded, but that ad apparently found it's way into the new owners hands.
My potential new client seemed quite nice on the phone telling me their situation along with their needs prior to my site visit. I explained my fees and how the whole process worked. We agreed to meet to go over her ideas and for me to make notes and sketches.
This was in late January, I finally had some free time in mid February so we set a date. I arrived at her “McMansion”, parking on the street. I knew my old pick up truck leaked oil and I didn't want to lose a job by leaving a spot on their driveway. For the uneducated, “McMansions” are those five thousand square foot houses built on lots for houses half their size. This one was no exception.
Her husband had made a large profit in Silicon Valley from some quirky idea. They both had grown tired of the traffic plus the hectic life that came with that area. Moving to Oregon allowed her to stay home to do whatever she pleased and for him to work as much or as little as he wanted. He was barely ever home.
She greeted me at the door, I wasn’t surprised in the least; she looked just like she sounded on the phone, youngish, in her mid thirties. She was dressed casually for California in tight designer jeans, heels, and a very snug fitting sweater, which accented her perfectly round breasts. She had very little if any make-up on her face.
In fact, she looked as if she had walked right off the centerfold of any high-class men’s magazine. Her face was tan; her long blonde hair fell straight down her back to the middle part of her butt. I wondered if she had implants but didn’t have the nerve to ask, her breasts seemed a bit too large for her body shape and size. I knew that right away she had no children. Giving birth and breast-feeding would have spoiled her perfect body. Her shoes were somewhat out of place for lounging around, pumps with a 3” heel. Her whole outfit fit her well and showed her off without being too slutty.
I didn’t think I would mind working for her at all just as long as she paid her bills on time. She knew what she wanted renovated in her yard and didn't want to take low bidder. We had talked a bit about backgrounds during our telephone conversations. I would have guessed just meeting her she was a trophy wife but I was mistaken, she was definitely a smart woman, her MBA from UCLA testified to that.
“Hi, I’m Marla. Marla's Designs, we talked about a design for your backyard?” I knew I had the right address, but one never knows when someone answers the door if they are the owner.
She smiled looking me up and down, “Hello Marla, I’m Yvette nice to meet you.” She extended her well manicured nails to shake my hand. I have clean hands, but I would bet a month's profit she paid more than I bring in during a good month for that manicure. “Come on in and I’ll show you the area I need to have redone.
I walked in and followed her to the backyard. The house was magnificently decorated with all the newest electronic gadgets, very stylish furniture strewn about, definitely no kids. I thought to myself even if I had the money I wouldn’t live like this, so cold and not like a home at all.
Looking down as I followed her, I enjoyed the way her cheeks moved in those tight jeans, I was hoping she didn’t notice my gawking at her rear as we headed through the house to the backyard. Luckily, for us we picked one of the few rainless days in the month, a bit chilly but without rain.
We walked outside onto the patio, I was surprised. I had expected the typical tiny yard with very little open space, instead I found they had purchased the lot behind them extending the yard. A black bottom pool with an in-ground spa, topped off by a natural rock waterfall were the focal points. She told me they entertained quite a great deal. They wanted more privacy from the neighbors but still have sun lit areas around the spa and pool.
“This is very nice, Yvette,” I smiled while looking around. Noticing plenty of room to try out my ideas and make something worth showing off happen.
“Thank you Marla, I didn’t have any of the old plants put back. I wanted to start from scratch which probably makes it easier for you,” she replied sure of my answer.
“Yes, it gives me a clean slate, so to speak.” We both grinned at each other knowing we had begun to think along the same lines.
We went over a few do’s and don’t, then I measured the borders so I could begin on drawings. We went back into the house after a few minutes in part due to the cool air becoming cold. It was easier to discuss initial ideas in a warm kitchen rather than a cold backyard.
She already had coffee perked for us, she poured two cups then we sat at her kitchen table discussing ideas. She had a custom blend and I was quite amazed at how good it tasted and asked where I might pick some up. She smiled then wrote down the name of the store. She even gave me a small package with enough in it for a few pots. I thanked her, blushing a bit with this unexpected gift.
I made notes as we talked, feeling more at ease with her as we discussed the yard face to face. I began to notice after a few ideas she really liked that she would inch her chair closer and closer to glance at my notes. Her hand would brush mine every so often as I wrote down plant and color scheme ideas. I assumed she wanted more involvement with the process and planning.
Finally, after about two hours I had enough information to put some sketches together for her. She thanked me, as she showed me to the door and bid me good-bye. I didn’t think too much about her actions and went on with my day.
I spent the next few weeks drawing and revising the various ideas we discussed and narrowing my perspectives for her to view down to four. We talked on the phone discussing more of her ideas, with me explaining the good or bad points about them. When I had a design I liked I sent my oldest daughter who was finishing college and working for me part-time over to drop them off with for Yvette to comment on. After the fourth set was complete and revised, I called and made an appointment with her so we could go over the ideas.
It was now early April and she was anxious to get started on the work. Her husband had decided that a July 4th party was a good idea to show off their new landscape to impress a few new clients. If they accepted the bid, I had a deadline to meet.
We went over the various plans making small changes to each one even though she had already done this via Lindsey, my daughter. Finally, one stood out above the rest and she was happy. I left all four drawings with herb and she paid me for them. She said she would talk over each one with her husband and call me with their choice.
I was paid for my work and that’s all that really mattered to me. I have been shortchanged a couple of times when I first started my design business letting people have complete sets of plans and not paying me for them. I have learned from my mistakes.
She called me that evening to confirm the plan we discussed earlier that day, her husband was pleased with my work. He wondered if I employed any contractors on a regular basis and to have them submit competitive bids. I smiled after hearing the news and made a note to call all the subs I planned to use for this job. It had turned out to be a very good day. I have several favorite contractors that I have worked with in the past and know very well. I like the quality of their work and their prices. Just because a client likes, your design doesn’t mean they will use your favorite installers, but they did.
During the next week, I made a complete set of plans. I sent them to all the interested contractors so they could look them over and bid the job. Yvette seemed to take special joy in touring all the various workers around her yard and giving them insight into what was expected along with her quality standards. I don’t know to this day if this was just for show or not, but all of my suggested contractors got the jobs.
The work began in early May, it all went very smoothly. Of course, there were a few unforeseen problems but nothing out of the ordinary for a job of this type. Yvette and I met weekly over her special coffee, discussing the progress and any changes she had dreamed up during the previous week. When I couldn’t meet with her and it was something, she required in writing I’d use Lindsey as our courier. Most of her ideas I explained away or took care of with a phone call. At each meeting, she seemed to get friendlier and friendlier as we talked. We grew to know each other better, relating stories along with our life frustrations and accomplishments. She seemed very interested in my life and my family. I kept the answers to her questions a bit vague but answered her honestly. I didn’t want to start up a friendship during the installation for various reasons.
Finally, June rolled around, the job was coming in early and on budget. Both of them were very pleased, I even received a small bonus check for an item she really wanted. She had to talk me into incorporating into my plan but it was well worth the effort. We met for the last time I thought, June 15. We did a final walk through noting any deficiencies. At last everyone was paid so I filed this job away. I asked if I could use her for a reference since the job had gone so well and was actually in early, she agreed and was thrilled to be on my list.
Within two days, I received a call from Yvette asking me for a second set of completed plans. I was busy and sent Lindsey over to deliver the set. I was very surprised when Lindsey returned and told me of her encounter with Yvette.
It seems when Yvette met Lindsey at the door she was dressed only in a sheer camisole to cover her. Under which she wore a tiny bikini. Lindsey didn’t need to use her imagination; Yvette was there in all her hard body glory. Yvette was greatly disappointed I hadn’t showed up, she took the plans, nearly slamming the door in poor Lindsey’s face. Lindsey is no prude, at 22 years of age has seen enough to know this woman had something on her mind and it wasn’t just the plans. I chuckled at her story and told her that Yvette probably had been entertaining her husband. Since I wasn’t the one delivering the plans she may have felt slighted since she now considered me a close friend.
Lindsey nodded giving me the “Yea right, mom” look. I called Yvette to apologize. I made an appointment for the following afternoon so we could discuss the plan request and talk for a bit.
Since it was the end of June, the weather was warm, I wore sandals with some shorts with a loose fitting blouse. I had planned to complete some errands after our brief meeting and wanted to be comfortable.
I arrived at Yvette’s house and rang the doorbell. She slowly opened it, peeking through the small gap to be sure it wasn’t Lindsey standing there this time. When she opened the door fully, I was shocked and then amused that she actually dressed this way to open the door. Lindsey had neglected to or forgotten to mention the “stripper heels” Yvette wore that accentuated her muscular calves on her firm tanned legs. It made her quite a bit taller. My jaw felt like it hit the walk as she stood there smiling. I nearly giggled as she invited me in but figured that would be rude. Besides, I really enjoyed seeing her body through that sheer camisole wondering why she had gone to all this trouble.
We went through the house and I asked if her husband was home hoping that this would be a short meeting.