Design Lessons My Mother Taught Me
In honor of Mother’s Day, professionals on Houzz reflect on the design and style wisdom their mothers passed on
Luisa Rollenhagen
May 9, 2015
Houzz Contributor. I am a passionate traveler, writer, reader, and debater. My previous haunts have included Buenos Aires, Berlin, New York, and now London. All of these places have introduced me to varied and unique styles of architecture, design, and a certain cultural standard of living, all of which I try to include in my daily work.
I've studied English Literature and Journalism at NYU in New York, and am now continuing to burrow myself into books at Kings College London. I have a socially unfortunate obsession with literature, film, and the newest shiny gadgets. I will nerd out over vintage typewriters and 3-D printers.
Houzz Contributor. I am a passionate traveler, writer, reader, and debater. My previous... More
Our mothers are fountains of wisdom, advice, encouragement and inspiration. Whether they’ve taught us how to balance our bank accounts or deal with a tricky colleague at work, our mothers have equipped us with a set of skills we use every day to navigate the world around us.
For many of us, our mother’s influence extends to our sense of style, too. In honor of Mother’s Day, the Houzz U.K. editors asked a selection of architects and designers on Houzz to share the most poignant and memorable lessons their mothers taught them about design, interiors and decoration.
For many of us, our mother’s influence extends to our sense of style, too. In honor of Mother’s Day, the Houzz U.K. editors asked a selection of architects and designers on Houzz to share the most poignant and memorable lessons their mothers taught them about design, interiors and decoration.
Resourcefulness and Creativity
Jasmine Orchard of Jasmine Orchard Styling
“Growing up, I always thought our houses (we moved a lot) were full of interesting and unusual finds: a mix of colors, fabrics, hand-painted items and foreign souvenirs. On reflection, I realize how much of an influence that was on my career choice and design style. We couldn’t walk past a charity shop without Mum dragging us in to find things for our home, and holidays often involved exploring flea markets or finding unusual shells on the beach to bring back.
“What I considered back then to be a bore, though, turned out to shape me and my desire for searching out interesting items to use for decor, and decorating a house on a shoestring. Now, of course, I visit every [garage] sale and flea market I come across, and see beauty in those overlooked and everyday items.
“My mum is sadly no longer with us, but a part of her definitely lives on in me.“
Simple Pleasures: Decorating Is Fun
Jasmine Orchard of Jasmine Orchard Styling
“Growing up, I always thought our houses (we moved a lot) were full of interesting and unusual finds: a mix of colors, fabrics, hand-painted items and foreign souvenirs. On reflection, I realize how much of an influence that was on my career choice and design style. We couldn’t walk past a charity shop without Mum dragging us in to find things for our home, and holidays often involved exploring flea markets or finding unusual shells on the beach to bring back.
“What I considered back then to be a bore, though, turned out to shape me and my desire for searching out interesting items to use for decor, and decorating a house on a shoestring. Now, of course, I visit every [garage] sale and flea market I come across, and see beauty in those overlooked and everyday items.
“My mum is sadly no longer with us, but a part of her definitely lives on in me.“
Simple Pleasures: Decorating Is Fun
Comforting and Cozy Hospitality
Emma Sims Hilditch of Sims Hilditch
“My mother always had a natural affinity for decoration and creating beautiful homes. We moved three times when I was young, but she always managed to create a ‘home’ for us — a beautiful place that was comfy and cozy.
“I learned so much from her — a great deal is just absorbed through being surrounded by lovely furnishings. She has a tendency to go for more colorful schemes than me and isn’t afraid to use large-scale prints and patterns, which can have a dramatic effect.
“She always makes sure guests will be comfortable and feel welcome. That’s a great skill that’s often overlooked today. Beautiful bed linen, soft towels, a glass of water and a vase of flowers by the bed — simple but very effective touches.”
Overnight Guests Coming? How to Be a Great Host
Emma Sims Hilditch of Sims Hilditch
“My mother always had a natural affinity for decoration and creating beautiful homes. We moved three times when I was young, but she always managed to create a ‘home’ for us — a beautiful place that was comfy and cozy.
“I learned so much from her — a great deal is just absorbed through being surrounded by lovely furnishings. She has a tendency to go for more colorful schemes than me and isn’t afraid to use large-scale prints and patterns, which can have a dramatic effect.
“She always makes sure guests will be comfortable and feel welcome. That’s a great skill that’s often overlooked today. Beautiful bed linen, soft towels, a glass of water and a vase of flowers by the bed — simple but very effective touches.”
Overnight Guests Coming? How to Be a Great Host
Respecting Heritage and History
Fiona Kirkwood of Kirkwood McCarthy
“A huge part of my upbringing was living through the extensive renovation of our family home, a beautiful Victorian property in Sydney, Australia. While my mum was supported by a team of builders and consultants, it was her directorship and vision that underpinned the success of the project.
“The experience taught me the importance of thorough research as a critical part of the design process. Mum engaged with local librarians and historical societies to compile a backstory to the property, which enabled everyone involved to understand the vision and expectations of quality. Mum was able to mastermind a family residence that honored the original building while providing a unique, inspiring and personal home environment.
“I feel very lucky to have such a special mum and such a special home, and attribute my passion for architecture to both those things.”
How to Research Your Home’s History
Fiona Kirkwood of Kirkwood McCarthy
“A huge part of my upbringing was living through the extensive renovation of our family home, a beautiful Victorian property in Sydney, Australia. While my mum was supported by a team of builders and consultants, it was her directorship and vision that underpinned the success of the project.
“The experience taught me the importance of thorough research as a critical part of the design process. Mum engaged with local librarians and historical societies to compile a backstory to the property, which enabled everyone involved to understand the vision and expectations of quality. Mum was able to mastermind a family residence that honored the original building while providing a unique, inspiring and personal home environment.
“I feel very lucky to have such a special mum and such a special home, and attribute my passion for architecture to both those things.”
How to Research Your Home’s History
Budget Management
Clare Gaskin
“My mother is simply the best, but doesn’t everyone think that about their mum? From a purely interior design and business perspective, she has guided me in numerous ways.
“From a young age, my mum gave me an allowance to buy my school uniform, books, entertainment etc. This quickly taught me the importance of budget planning, one of the key aspects of managing a project. Building their own house, Mum annoyed Dad with lots of … space planning, cutting out scale models of furniture to interchange between room plans. I now do this myself, although I try not to annoy my clients! As a math teacher, Mum also doubles up as my bookkeeper, teaching me the importance of completing my [tax] returns on time.
“Mum has always believed in good quality and the importance of items that suit the individual over the latest fashion trends. Similarly, I recognize that tailoring the design scheme to the client’s personality is often more important than following fashion.”
What to Know About Budgeting for Your Home Remodel
Clare Gaskin
“My mother is simply the best, but doesn’t everyone think that about their mum? From a purely interior design and business perspective, she has guided me in numerous ways.
“From a young age, my mum gave me an allowance to buy my school uniform, books, entertainment etc. This quickly taught me the importance of budget planning, one of the key aspects of managing a project. Building their own house, Mum annoyed Dad with lots of … space planning, cutting out scale models of furniture to interchange between room plans. I now do this myself, although I try not to annoy my clients! As a math teacher, Mum also doubles up as my bookkeeper, teaching me the importance of completing my [tax] returns on time.
“Mum has always believed in good quality and the importance of items that suit the individual over the latest fashion trends. Similarly, I recognize that tailoring the design scheme to the client’s personality is often more important than following fashion.”
What to Know About Budgeting for Your Home Remodel
Modern Twists on the Classics
Andrew Petherick of Artichoke
“My mother used to be an interior designer in the mid-1980s, so there was a lot of chintz and rag-rolling! She has a very keen eye for decorative antiques and comes from a design era where high-end interiors tended to be very formal and busy on the eye.
“Her design style was classical English, and it’s the Englishness that Artichoke’s work alludes to, albeit in a much more subtle way. Our designs are more discreet, and we prefer to take a more monastic classical approach but still maintain the strong sense of proportion and balance that was found in her work.”
So Your Style Is: Traditional
Andrew Petherick of Artichoke
“My mother used to be an interior designer in the mid-1980s, so there was a lot of chintz and rag-rolling! She has a very keen eye for decorative antiques and comes from a design era where high-end interiors tended to be very formal and busy on the eye.
“Her design style was classical English, and it’s the Englishness that Artichoke’s work alludes to, albeit in a much more subtle way. Our designs are more discreet, and we prefer to take a more monastic classical approach but still maintain the strong sense of proportion and balance that was found in her work.”
So Your Style Is: Traditional
Valuing and Nurturing Social Moments
Camilla Pringle of Camilla Pringle Interiors
“My mother is a very keen cook, and perhaps my fascination for kitchens came from years of watching her prepare our meals while chatting away, and then all sitting down together to eat. She certainly encouraged my creative side by letting my sister and I paint, draw and make things whenever we wanted to. (My sister is also a designer and married one!)
“Perhaps she instilled the human element into my interior designs, hopefully making them comfortable for the people that use them.”
Inviting Kids Into the Kitchen: Suggestions for Nurturing Cooks
Camilla Pringle of Camilla Pringle Interiors
“My mother is a very keen cook, and perhaps my fascination for kitchens came from years of watching her prepare our meals while chatting away, and then all sitting down together to eat. She certainly encouraged my creative side by letting my sister and I paint, draw and make things whenever we wanted to. (My sister is also a designer and married one!)
“Perhaps she instilled the human element into my interior designs, hopefully making them comfortable for the people that use them.”
Inviting Kids Into the Kitchen: Suggestions for Nurturing Cooks
An Eye for Detail
Stephen Nash of All & Nxthing
“I guess I would say I picked up a good eye from my mother. I don’t necessarily mean a good eye in terms of taste or style, as they are totally subjective things. I mean a good eye for spotting things. My mother is a crafty woman, you see, and coupled with my handy dad, they’re a dream team.
“I remember from a young age my mother picking up a beautiful old chair or piece of furniture in a charity shop or at a flea market, taking it home and reupholstering or painting it herself. I’m not as crafty or handy as her, but I think she did pass on her eye for a diamond in the rough, or perhaps just a rough diamond.”
Smart Shopper: How to Judge Antique Furniture Quality
Stephen Nash of All & Nxthing
“I guess I would say I picked up a good eye from my mother. I don’t necessarily mean a good eye in terms of taste or style, as they are totally subjective things. I mean a good eye for spotting things. My mother is a crafty woman, you see, and coupled with my handy dad, they’re a dream team.
“I remember from a young age my mother picking up a beautiful old chair or piece of furniture in a charity shop or at a flea market, taking it home and reupholstering or painting it herself. I’m not as crafty or handy as her, but I think she did pass on her eye for a diamond in the rough, or perhaps just a rough diamond.”
Smart Shopper: How to Judge Antique Furniture Quality
Never Forgetting the Importance of Making Connections
Hugo Tugman of Architect Your Home - Interior Your Home
“Growing up in the 1970s, it’s easy to look back at my mother’s interior design sense of the time in amusement. Some of the more lurid choices of wallpaper and tiling in bathrooms and my father’s study almost make my eyes water to remember. Having said that, we grew up in a Victorian house and, with her love of antiques, the reception rooms were given a much more subtle and delicate touch.
“On a deeper level, the most significant influence my mother has had on my career is showing me how to relate to people. In my view, the most important quality any designer of domestic spaces must have is an ability to communicate openly, honestly and disarmingly with the homeowner and, through this, inspire, enthuse and reassure. I must credit my mother’s charm and hospitable nature for any success I’ve had, as she had the most wonderful way with people.”
How to Savor Your Beautifully Imperfect Home
Hugo Tugman of Architect Your Home - Interior Your Home
“Growing up in the 1970s, it’s easy to look back at my mother’s interior design sense of the time in amusement. Some of the more lurid choices of wallpaper and tiling in bathrooms and my father’s study almost make my eyes water to remember. Having said that, we grew up in a Victorian house and, with her love of antiques, the reception rooms were given a much more subtle and delicate touch.
“On a deeper level, the most significant influence my mother has had on my career is showing me how to relate to people. In my view, the most important quality any designer of domestic spaces must have is an ability to communicate openly, honestly and disarmingly with the homeowner and, through this, inspire, enthuse and reassure. I must credit my mother’s charm and hospitable nature for any success I’ve had, as she had the most wonderful way with people.”
How to Savor Your Beautifully Imperfect Home
Order and Precision
Andrew Inchley of Yiangou Architects
“My mother’s and my tastes are very different, and my initial reaction would be that I didn’t take much from her when it comes to interiors, design and decoration. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I actually did take a lot from her.
“Our home was always very ordered and precise: Everything had its place, and nothing was superfluous. Every item was considered and there for a reason. It wasn’t a random buildup over time; our house was designed. I think that showed me very early on the importance of design and how it can greatly improve a space.
“We may pick very different lamps and sofas to go in a room, but my mum and I think about the spaces in the same way and share a need for order and precision.”
Tell us: What are some of the design and style lessons your mother has taught you? Share your favorites in the Comments below.
More: What to Do for Mom Around the House on Mother’s Day
Andrew Inchley of Yiangou Architects
“My mother’s and my tastes are very different, and my initial reaction would be that I didn’t take much from her when it comes to interiors, design and decoration. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I actually did take a lot from her.
“Our home was always very ordered and precise: Everything had its place, and nothing was superfluous. Every item was considered and there for a reason. It wasn’t a random buildup over time; our house was designed. I think that showed me very early on the importance of design and how it can greatly improve a space.
“We may pick very different lamps and sofas to go in a room, but my mum and I think about the spaces in the same way and share a need for order and precision.”
Tell us: What are some of the design and style lessons your mother has taught you? Share your favorites in the Comments below.
More: What to Do for Mom Around the House on Mother’s Day
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My story is much like Judy's except my father was in the Air Force and we moved a lot. No matter where we lived or what we lived in, from English flats to Quonset Huts, my mother made it home and quickly. She hung pictures, put up curtains, and unpacked all the boxes within days of moving into the new places. When I began keeping my own houses I did the very same thing; I made it feel like home as quickly as I could. Sometimes people would ask me, Now how long have you lived here?
The one thing she instilled in me years ago: a little rust never hurt anyone.