Page 73 of Deep Down
“Not at all. Thanks.”
“Okay, show us what we have to work with.” Max rubbed his hands with glee.
“You can tell he loves his work!” Sean rolled his eyes.
Craig led the way to his bedroom, grateful he’d thought to tidy it up a bit before they arrived. There was plenty of light coming through the window, and it made the red with black accents appear drab and, he supposed, porn-like. He’d never considered it before, but now, standing and surveying the room, that was his first thought.
“It’s not been decorated since after Darren moved in.” He chuckled. “I never realised it presented itself similar to an old-fashioned boudoir until now.”
“Nah, pornstar bedrooms are the in thing nowadays!” Max rested a bag that Craig hadn’t seen him bring in on the chest of drawers with a snicker.
“Max!” Sean smacked Max in the shoulder.
“I’m joking. God, chill already.” Max pulled out his laptop and set it up. He picked up a tool Craig assumed was for measuring and promptly sized the room, inputting the details onto the program. “Okay, Craig. Come closer, and we’ll have a play around and see what you like and what you don’t.”
Doing as asked, Craig focused on the screen. There was a rainbow wheel of colours front and centre.
“What colours do you like?” Max studied Craig, eyes narrowed.
Craig struggled to answer the question. He hadn’t had to choose anything in such a long time. Examining the colour wheel, his gaze was drawn to the royal blue colours, and he told Max.
“Okay, let’s add it in there,” Max spoke as he did his thing on the laptop.
Craig watched as the bedroom took shape before him on the screen. Max had yet to colour the walls, but the accents were blue.
“Now, for the walls, I would suggest something pale which would make use of the amazing natural light you get in here from the huge window.” Max pointed. “Colours which complement the blue would be gold, yellow, ivory and grey. Personally, I would suggest a light grey. What do you think?”
Craig exhaled roughly. “I have no idea.”
“Would you like to see the choices on screen?”
“Yes, please. It might make it easier to visualise.” Max went through each colour scheme before Craig was able to choose. Max had been right, grey was better. “Gold made it tackier than it is now.”
Max chortled. “Yeah, sometimes complementary colours make certain rooms look awful.” He pressed a few more buttons and asked what Craig thought.
“I like it. It appears lighter and bigger.” Max had added in furniture which he said was antique pine wood. All in all, it made the room appear huge compared to now.
“Okay. We know what we want to do in here. Let’s get a few things organised, and I’ll come back the day after tomorrow to start it all if that’s alright?” Max closed his laptop and pushed it back into the bag.
Between them, they managed to get the chest of drawers into the spare bedroom and the wardrobe pushed close to the door, ready to be moved next time. Craig wanted to go all out and buy new furniture, and Max gave his recommendations for places to find what he was searching for.
“Would you like to stay for dinner?” Craig glanced at the clock, seeing what time it was.
“I’d love to, but I need to get back to Asher. Thanks for the offer, though.” Sean looked worn out.
“I have to get back to Trent, too. Sorry. But I will be back day after tomorrow. When I get here, we’ll get a plan of action in place and get started.”
“Thanks. Both of you. I appreciate this.”
“No problem at all. It’s a job I love, after all. And helping friends do it is heaps better.” Max clapped him on the shoulder and picked up his bag. “See you in a couple of days.”
****
The following day, Craig concentrated on clearing out his bedroom. He’d be sleeping in the spare room for the next few days, and it would also be the dumping ground for all his stuff. It might give him the chance to check through it all as well.
He struggled a bit when it came to Darren’s things. After several minutes of contemplation, he decided to head into town and pick up some boxes while he was doing his errands. When he got back, Darren’s stuff could be boxed up. He had no idea what to do with it, a question for Johnson.
Starting with the first shop Max had recommended, he instantly found a new chest of drawers and matching wardrobe he liked. Everything ticked the boxes for both him and Max, so he paid for them to be delivered in two days. It should hopefully give enough time for the room to be completed. If not, the furniture could be piled up in the spare room until needed.
