Summer’s Simple Pleasures
155 Canal Street #10 by Laura Ann Studio for Meredith Wiedeman, Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty.
July 2020
Window to The Bay #4
Happy July and happy summer! Laura Ann Studio took the first Friday of July off as a reflective and restful holiday and I hope you had a safe and recharging holiday too. June was a busy painting month in the studio for me. I spent many a painting session listening to How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi on audiobook. I would highly recommend it. June brought a growing recognition of Juneteenth as the celebration of the date that ALL Americans became free, and I’ll admit this conflict of independence was not lost on me this 4th of July.
As I spent the long weekend watching with joy as my five year old took off on his pedal bike for the first time, I was reminded with gratitude of the great freedom in the simple pleasure of coasting on a bike on a sunny summer day. My son said as I was running alongside him on his maiden voyage that this was “a day he would never forget.” A multi-generation family bike ride became a highlight of our weekend. I always share in the nostalgic and hopeful delight when bikes stand in as a personal detail in a Window to The Bay watercolor house portrait.
A series of holiday gifts commissioned by Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty agent Meredith Wiedeman has reminded me of many such sweet moments of summer. What struck me most about our collaboration and the painting of personal house portrait details was how well Meredith knew her clients, from this poolside scene of a loving Grandma to a family’s love of brooms. Read on for the full story behind the portrait series, an interview with Meredith Wiedeman, and a printable coloring book.
By the way, if you’ve come across Window to The Bay as a forward, subscribe here to receive an uplifting portrait story in your inbox every First Friday!
A custom watercolor house portrait buyer’s holiday gift painted by commission for Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty agent Meredith Wiedeman.
Capturing Memories, Building Relationships
When Meredith Wiedeman reached out for a commission of year end watercolor house portraits as gifts for her clients it was a true collaboration from start to finish. She knew what mattered most to her clients and provided inspiration images beyond the homes themselves, sending along sweet dog images to paint from for the pet lovers. She knew the details that mattered most to her client’s warm memories of home life, such as the uncle who loved to cook (we gave him a farm basket + some flowers in the window for his niece); a sweet fun loving three year old daughter (we gave her a pink bike); a family with a 4 year old and newborn (we gave them a stroller + scooter combo); a retired couple who love gardening (we gave them a farm basket complete with gardening hat, gloves, and trowel). One of my personal favorites is a portrait for a grandma who loves entertaining her grandson at the condo pool (they needed fresh squeezed orange juice and a bright pink inflated flamingo float). Then there was the picturesque Victorian, American flag and all, which needed a broom out front. This family found that their young son became infatuated with brooms, and as many parents with young children discover, the best loved play items are often the ones that don’t come from the toy aisle! I hope that each of these paintings becomes treasured keepsakes for years to come!
Meet Meredith Wiedeman
1. What’s the “why” of your business?
MW: Prior to my career in real estate, I worked in the hedge fund industry. There was always something that attracted me to real estate; perhaps it is the tangible nature of a home. I get great personal satisfaction in helping people access the information they need to make the right decisions for their goals.
2. What is the key to developing a relationship with a client?
MW: Active listening and trust are the most important elements for me in developing my relationship with a client. So often in life, a customer is told they should do this or do that with little reason given. I think decisions, especially around money and real estate, are more nuanced and personal. My job is to help clients to recognize their priorities and develop a framework for making decisions. I ask clients leading questions to help illuminate what really matters to them. I also maintain relationships with bankers, contractors, architects, and other professionals who can answer questions outside my area of expertise.
3. What do you love most about where you live?
MW: The things I like most about where I live in the mid-Peninsula are: the weather, access to the outdoors, and good food! We appreciate that the area has seasons, but not ones that are too extreme. Throughout Spring and Summer, there are days when the weather is perfect. My family is really into the outdoors. We ride horses, cycle, run, hike, and camp. We love love LOVE that we can engage in most of the activities just by walking out our front door. Our year-round access to incredible, fresh local produce gives us so many healthy food options (at home and in restaurants), and it's a joy to share that experience with my family. Food really brings people together, and when the food is local and fresh, I think it also connects us to our larger community.
www.meredithwiedeman.com
mw@meredithwiedeman.com
What’s Your #WindowtoTheBay?
Take a moment to restore your spirits with therapeutic coloring. I’ve transformed Meredith Wiedeman’s house portrait commissions into a “Color-On” Coloring Book (DOWNLOAD HERE). Print, color, post, and tag @merwiedeman and @LauraAnnStudio with the hashtag #WindowtoTheBay so that we can see and repost your work.
With love for the every day and special days,
Laura Elbogen
PS Do you know a friend or realtor who could benefit from these relationship building tips or closing gifts? Share this page!