A few weeks ago I got to spend some time at my mom’s house in California. My mom is and always has been cooler than me, as you’ll soon come to see for yourself. She’s an artist, and I’m so grateful to have many of her incredible works displayed throughout my home.
My mom’s home is one where nothing is displayed simply just to “match” and every corner has a story. It’s layered, collected, slightly unexpected, and completely unapologetic. And my recent visit reminded me why I came to believe so passionately that personality will always beat perfection!
Consider this little house tour a peek inside an artist’s mind as told through her rooms. These are the design notes I’ve quietly, subconsciously, taken over the years from my mom’s house…the lessons on layering, collecting, trusting your instincts, and creating a home that feels deeply, unmistakably your own. I may have a written a book about giving your home personality, but my mom is the one who taught me that a home should be lived in, loved, and uniquely yours.
#1 – Anything Can Be Art & Art Can Be Hung Anywhere
Skate decks on the wall? Why not? Framed art hung on a door? Why not?
#2 – White Walls Can Allow the Floor & Ceiling to Shine
Yes, she hand-painted both the ceiling and the floor.
#3 – Original Art & Leopard Print Are Always the Right Answer
#4 – Don’t Forget About Floor Lamps
#5 – Mixing Your Spouses Interests in with Your Own Creates a Much More Interesting Space
#6 – Pairing a Vintage Lamp with a Modern Shade is a Winning Combination
#7 – The Most Interesting Homes Aren’t Designed All at Once; They’re Composed Over Time
My mom quietly taught me that the most meaningful homes aren’t designed all at once. They’re layered over a lifetime.
This recent visit to her home made me realize how much of my own design philosophy was shaped by her….long before I could ever describe it in words.
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