Not long ago, a group of us were chatting at the Staged By Design office and discovered something intriguing. Although we all come from different backgrounds (we grew up scattered across the U.S. from different socio-economic backgrounds, family structures and ethnicities), we found that we all have some strikingly similar memories of childhood experiences concerning home and design. In retelling stories of our younger years, we found that all of us spent our free time playing with our doll houses (it is possible that some of us still do). We read decorating magazines and the real estate section of the newspaper voraciously. We craved change in our lives and found it in regularly rearranging our bedroom furniture. But what really stood out was that we each had a strongwoman in our lives who encouraged (or at least ignored) our decorating experiments and gave us advice and courage to pursue our decorating dreams.
So, with Mother’s Day upon us, we thank you, our moms, for helping to shape us into who we are today and salute each one of you with a brief recollection of the lessons that you taught us.
Leigh’s mom – The Artist
There is nothing better, even as an adult, as the feeling of coming HOME. My mom created that feeling with a home that was a haven. It fueled her creativity and provided a display for her ever-evolving artistic endeavors.
My Mom always made time for crafty pursuits and side-gigs that encompassed everything from florals to painting for as long as I can remember. I grew up surrounded by copious amounts of ModPodge and notions. She even made my clothes for a time (that red velour shirt in the 6th grade photo will haunt me forever, but I really did love the blue and white seersucker shorts)
I turned to my Mom for help and guidance for each new house we moved into, and she rallied. Painting a mural for the nursery for our firstborn, complete with woodland animals from my childhood books, to making curtains for the next house.
She was always my cheerleader, and I remember her giving me free reign to design my own room in middle school and proudly telling everyone it was the best in the house. (It wasn’t). She supported me, and taught me how to color outside the lines, particularly in interior design. I laughed recently about the “Red Theory” articles popping up, as it was my very own Mother that told me years ago to ALWAYS add a touch of red to each room, as it creates interest.
My creative nature and love of design stemmed from all those shopping trips, model home tours and home re-arranging I experienced at the heels of my very talented, much loved, and much missed, Mom.
Wendy’s mom – The decorista
My Mom was always on trend when it came to decorating. My specific memory was moving into my then new Stepfathers home when my Mom remarried. This was the quintessential 70's ranch and remember walking into the living room wondering what the heck my Mom had gotten us in to - red shag carpet, velvet black and gold wall paper, red velvet drapes, gold velvet furniture... my goodness, I will never forget that! Even as a 2nd grader I was shocked ha-ha!
Not to worry, Mom was on the scene now and the first thing she did was redecorate in top tier 1980's mauve and gray! Complete with louvered vertical blinds (these were just coming on the scene then and hard to get a hold of). I remember thinking it was so beautiful! From there, about every three months, she'd decide it was time to rearrange the furniture - she was bored! So, Saturday morning, we'd dig in and she and I would reposition the furniture this way and that until she was satisfied. I like to believe this is where my interest in interiors was born. The difference between that original room and what it became when my Mom got through with it was amazing! I made a huge impression on me, even though I was so young.
Kim’s mom – The Southern Lady
My mom, unbeknownst to her, actually triggered some desire for design in my life. My mom did not have a career in an area of design, nor did we have cable growing up where HGTV could influence her. But what my mom did around the house sparked some interest. First off, my mom moved furniture around frequently, but she also involved me in the process and allowed me to help her with decisions (I was the baby by many years, so I had nothing else to do - also remember… no cable). Secondly, my mom redid wallpaper every few years. We lived in a home built in the late seventies and wallpaper permeated every room. Floral eighties wallpaper still haunts me to this day! My mom loved being crafty and I was also right alongside for most projects she tried. Lastly, and probably the most memorable for me, my mom subscribed to Southern Living magazine and every month we looked forward to analyzing the featured house plans they published. I loved imagining myself in some of those extravagant homes and the possibilities one could do in the space! For a short while this also piqued my interest in becoming an architect because I loved to draw at that time too.
So, looking back and really thinking about it, I guess my mom influenced me on trends and her love for making our house a home. Her hospitality opening up our home to many family gatherings and social occasions also spoke volumes to me. A house should feel like home, but it should also be an open door to welcome others.
Alison’s mom – The Hostess With The Mostest
I would never want to insult my mom about her lack of design advice - but the truth is, she graduated from college with a degree in nursing. So, me getting design advice from her is a pretty rare occurrence! However, my mom loves to host people in her home - whether it be a quick cup of coffee or an extended visit from friends and family. She is a firm believer in providing crisp sheets and quality bed pillows for her guests - and a box of tissues on each nightstand ;)
One takeaway from my mom’s hosting that I’ve always appreciated is how she sets a table. Over the years, she has inherited vintage china from my dad’s grandmother, milk glass serving pieces from her mother, and sterling silverware from her mother-in-law. And with all that, she always has fresh flowers at the center of her table. She likes her food to be the showstopper though - and to achieve that, my mom keeps her florals simple, and usually all in the same color family (a little tip she learned years ago watching Ina Garten on the Food Network!)
And so, while my mom may not possess the skills to coordinate decorative pillows on a sofa - no guest will ever have a wrinkled cloth napkin at her dining room table.
Laura’s mom – The Rebel With A Paintbrush
Design was always a part of my life. My mother built me a dollhouse (which I adored!) and although my Barbie did not have her own dream house, she did have a large selection of furniture (anyone remember the 1970’s inflatable sets?) that was always overflowing bookcases, under the dining room table, and spread out on the hearth, because my mother always said, “anyplace can become a dream house”. Mom believed that change was good and rules (at least in decorating) were meant to be broken. Draperies and pillows were changed out every season. The view of the garden was better from the dining room, so it became the living room in the summer months. Since the garage didn’t have a garden view, she added one with extremely elaborate stencils.
My favorite décor memory, however, is the morning I came home from a slumber party to find my mother worn out and covered in paint. She had stayed up all night repainting my father’s Williamsburg tavern inspired mancave to celebrate finalizing their divorce. She expressed her newfound autonomy by painting every surface – the walls, the floor, the giant bar, the lamps, everything, PINK! Yes, my mother may have actually invented Barbiecore way back in 1986. Talk about trendsetting!
Indeed, my mother has no fear of making bold design choices because, as she always says, “they never refuse to sell me more paint”. She has undoubtedly shrunken the square footage of her house due to the layers of paint on the walls, but in Buffalo, NY, that extra insulation is a good thing.
I could not write this Mother’s Day tribute without a shout out to my Aunt Louise. Always my favorite aunt, she took me under her wing from the very start. I call her my second mom, my husband calls her my enabler. She is the one who taught me the most magical of skills – how to sew and is therefore partially responsible for the inordinate number of pillows, tablecloths, duvets and draperies that fill my closets.
So, thank you to all of our moms, we love you and appreciate all you have done to make our design dreams a reality! And thank you for letting us indulge in a bit of Mother’s Day nostalgia!