Mother-Daughter Duo: Passing Style to the Next Generation
This daughter says much of her design know-how comes from Mom. We ask about their favorite project completed together
Join us as we celebrate Mother’s Day with a series on mother-daughter duos in the design world.
Favorite project: An art curator’s home in Pinecrest, Florida. They designed all of the interiors, but the living room with its high ceiling stole their hearts. They covered the walls in robin’s egg blue paint, installed floor-to-ceiling curtains and added hand-carved mahogany sofas. “The crystal chandeliers make everything sparkle,” Cristina says.
Design dilemmas: They have a similar style but don’t always agree. In those moments, they put all the options on the table, try not to argue and put the client’s needs ahead of their own preferences, Cristina says.
Tell us about your daughter’s …
Tell us about your mom’s …
Mother’s Day plans: Family celebration, including four grandchildren, at Margarita’s beach house in Delray Beach.
Your turn: Do you work with your child or parent? Please tell us about your family design team in the Comments.
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Design dilemmas: They have a similar style but don’t always agree. In those moments, they put all the options on the table, try not to argue and put the client’s needs ahead of their own preferences, Cristina says.
Tell us about your daughter’s …
- Design signature: Gorgeous lighting, especially chandeliers and lamps. And they always have a big impact in the room.
- Paint color personality: Orange. It’s vibrant and fun, like her.
- Go-to snack: Dark chocolate
- Personality in three words: Fun, kind and outgoing
Tell us about your mom’s …
- Design signature: Pillows. She always says they are like the jewelry for the furniture.
- Paint color personality: Gray. She’s in love with it. She likes it because it’s subdued and classy, and you can pair it with so many different colors.
- Go-to snack: Pistachios
- Personality in three words: Elegant, smart and kind
Mother’s Day plans: Family celebration, including four grandchildren, at Margarita’s beach house in Delray Beach.
Your turn: Do you work with your child or parent? Please tell us about your family design team in the Comments.
More
Design Lessons My Mother Taught Me
Create a Cheery, Romantic Mother’s Day Tablescape
Read more stories about mother-daughter design duos
Time working together: 17 years
Design roots: At age 13, Cristina watched her mom open her design business and rearrange the furniture around the house — constantly. This sparked her interest in interiors. Cristina graduated from college and worked at Bergdorf Goodman and ABC Carpet & Home in New York, but in the end really wanted to work alongside her mom back in Florida. Margarita’s own mother had also inspired Margarita to take up interior design. Together they would stroll down the street and look into the windows of the best boutiques. “I believe my taste level was created by those experiences,” Margarita says.
Admiration: Cristina appreciates the natural talent her mom possesses, and knows that much of her own style and knowledge come from her mom. In turn, Margarita watches in amazement as Cristina converses with clients. “Clients love her,” Margarita says.
First project: A vacation home in Miami for an Italian family. They created a tropical oasis out of the 14,000-square-foot home. Even though it was their first project together, Margarita says she became her daughter’s assistant. “She communicated with these Italian clients totally through email when I did not have a clue on how to use the computer,” she says.