Dear Arby: A meaningful home renovation
March 14th, 2025 | by Elizabeth | Posted in bathrooms, bedrooms | #construction, #interior design, #remodel
Dear Arby,
We started your renovation this week. It’s been wonderful. It’s also been so very hard. I see you in every inch of your home—in sweet Coco Bean’s eyes, in your beautiful plants that Scott and Cindy are so lovingly attending to, in the random Christmas items that didn’t get put away.
And in your kitchen. I can see you standing there every time I walk in.
I’ll never forget where I was when I found out you were gone. I had just pulled in our client’s carport to meet Emily for a photo shoot. You know it was during the 2 week period between Christmas and the New Year, so Lenneke was working from home. We were trying to take it slow during the holidays.
I checked my phone before walking into Patsy’s house because I had seen some texts come through as I was driving. Lenneke forwarded me the text from Kent telling us what had happened.
I gasped.
I prayed.
I couldn’t believe it.
I couldn’t fathom a world where you were no longer with us.
We had the pleasure of working with Scott and Arby on several projects over the years, including a hidden speak-easy door that connects to their wine room, and a guest powder bath.
I tried to collect myself so I could get inside and style Patsy’s home before Emily arrived. I told myself to stay busy and not think. But as soon as I walked in the door, Patsy said, “Morning! How are you?”
And I lost it. I know it scared Patsy, and it took me a few minutes before I could tell her what had happened. I told her how much she would have loved you, and you her—the two of you are a lot alike. Emily and her assistant arrived. You know, the one we all love. 😊 She was speechless. That’s the kind of mark you have left on those of us still here.
Lenneke and I moved through that week, still not wanting to believe it. We met your friends. You and Scott sure have a lot of people who love the two of you. We listened at the service as they spoke of the Arby we loved. The thoughtful Arby, the fabulous cook Arby, the Arby who never, ever missed sending a birthday card. I thought of the 3 separate Christmas cards you sent to Lenneke, Elissa, and myself—two of which were still sitting on my desk waiting for them to receive.
You would have loved the service. It was a beautiful celebration of the incredible person we all knew and loved. And Scott did so well. You would have been so proud of him.
We were all so excited about the upcoming renovation project. You had waiting so long, and we had planned the design for months. We had ordered cabinetry, and were set to start January 6.
Your bathroom cabinetry arrived in Nashville the day we said good-bye to you.
After discussing it with Lenneke, we decided to store the cabinetry temporarily, waiting for the right moment to talk to Scott about it. None of us had been through something quite like this before, so we were all finding our way together.
A few weeks passed and I received an email from Scott telling us that he wanted to proceed with the renovation. I told him that we in no way expected him to go through with it, and that we could bring the cabinets out and put them in the shed whenever he liked. But he said no- he wanted to proceed. He said you were so excited about it, and had been planning for it all fall, and he wanted to do it.
So he and Cindy set about the business of moving and organizing things. They have worked so hard and done so much. You would be so proud of them. And this past Monday, we started.
Lenneke and I have been there each day. Lenneke more than me because she’s your neighbor. Lenneke is the strong one between the two of us (you know that). She is able to keep focused and move through, while I’ve been trying really hard to do the same.
Greg and Jason demo’ed the bed and bath this week. Did you see that mess? All that insulation was nuts! It was just like when we removed Kent and Mary’s ceilings. 😊
They made quick work of it and got the new framing for your ceiling in the bedroom completed and it looks so good! Did you see the damask print wallpaper we found behind the tub? Don’t you know that bath was swanky in it’s day!
Yesterday, Shannon and the boys roughed in all the electrical- so much new lighting! You know we’re going to put it all on dimmers, though.
Oh! You know the wallpaper for the bathroom? The one we were going to keep looking for because you just didn’t love the first selection? Well, we found the perfect one. Every time we look at it we know how much you would have loved it. It is so Arby.
Today Adam came to rough in the plumbing. I didn’t realize we hadn’t told him about you. He met me at the car when I pulled in and said I can’t believe Mrs. Arby is gone! We were just here in December! We hugged and we said how much we loved you. I’m sure you knew Adam teaches Sunday School. He’s such a good fella, and he sure thinks the world of you and Scott. Just like all of our guys do.
We are getting ready to hang drywall and reinsulate. And today when I left the job site, Lenneke was sweeping off the back porch and sidewalk. When we are there, we are with you still. And I know Lenneke just wants to be there. She enlisted a bit of help later in the day since it’s spring break this week. She said he started off strong, but then started playing with the snails in your gardens. I know you love that. ❤️
I told Cindy today that I have a friend who is a master gardener and can help with your gardens. She thought I should mention it to Scott. The gardens look sad like the rest of us. For now, anyway.
Spring is coming, though, and as I walked through the planters this morning, I saw all kinds of new life breaking the soil. And I know you will be overseeing it all.
That’s it for this week. I’ll update you more soon.
Just know that this project…this one…will be the most special project Lenneke and I will ever do. And we hope we make you proud.
