Clarissa and Henry

Clarissa was a serial decorator. Henry indulged her in this passion. He always liked the results. She was extremely talented and in his opinion could have done this professionally if only she had a little more consistency in her approach to life. He also knew that when she was planning and implementing a makeover of the interior of the apartment she was less likely to be drinking to excess and taking pills. Money fortunately wasn’t an issue. Although Clarissa had her own money from her father’s estate – Clarissa’s father was an inventor who made significant improvements to components used in undersea oil drilling, and he hung onto his patents -- Henry insisted on paying for everything. After the initial design it actually wasn’t all that much of a capital outlay because Clarissa had a keen eye and was a shrewd bargainer. The year she did a Modern makeover of the living room she found a George Nakashima coffee table at a yard sale, a Harry Bertoia spray sculpture at a church bazaar, and a George Nelson sunburst clock in a thrift shop. Before embarking on an Arts & Crafts redo two years later she sold these pieces at premium prices at an auction. Once disassembly work on a new makeover began they moved into a hotel until the job was completed. Hotel living agreed with Henry. Clarissa usually worked late in their apartment. Once she started on a project she focused on it with her entire being. Henry usually dined out, sometimes alone but often with friends….