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“Marie-Gon taught me to think like an entrepreneur”
As a restorer of historic interiors, I have spent 20 years working at the intersection of architecture and interior design. I specialize primarily in paints and decorative interior finishes, typically within heritage sites and protected historic interiors. Restoration work in a historic house or building is usually prompted by a renovation project, perhaps the modernization of restrooms, a visitor center, or an office space. Such projects always involve an architect, an interior designer, or a contractor, but rarely someone like me, from the world of restoration. I engage with these architects and designers to discuss what is feasible and what is not, what is appropriate and what is not, and how we can preserve historic elements, such as wall coverings, paintwork, or stucco ceilings, and integrate them into a new design.
Historical Material Library
For years, I’ve toyed with the idea of simplifying that process by creating a historical material library. It would allow me to show architects and designers, for instance, that a traditional linseed oil paint no longer looks the way it was originally intended to. The paint used back then had a different texture and a different sheen. Armed with that knowledge, a designer can make better-informed decisions.
My American husband and I lived in Europe for many years, but two years ago we moved to the United States. This felt like the perfect moment to get the library project off the ground. I became a member of Inside to learn more about how designers think and work. I am not a designer myself, nor do I frequently work with private clients. Even so, I chose Marie-Gon; it quickly became clear to me that she was the right coach for me.
“I am not a designer, and yet I chose Marie-Gon as my coach.”
When I told her about the idea for the historical materials library, she immediately understood what I was talking about and where I wanted to go with it. She had all sorts of ideas about what I could do, adding, “If that’s what you want, of course.” She thinks so quickly and is incredibly experienced and versatile, a rare combination. I knew right away that she could help me take the next steps to properly establish this institute. And that has certainly proven to be the case; we are now nearing the end of our six-month program, and my idea has reached an entirely different level. Her coaching has both accelerated and deepened the process, and I feel much more confident about it now.
Entrepreneurial mindset
This historical materials library is not a product I intend to sell; it belongs to all of us. But how do you make something like this financially viable? I am a conservator; I come from the non-profit sector, working for the public good. Learning to think like an entrepreneur, that is something Marie-Gon has helped me with tremendously.
If you want to achieve something, to create something, even if you don’t yet know exactly what, Marie-Gon is the right person to help you figure out what that is and how to bring it to life. It was an investment, but honestly, I’d forgotten about the cost within two minutes. My idea quickly evolved into such a clear plan that it was worth every penny.