Celebrating Mothers Through Space

Mother’s Day is a time to show appreciation for all the wonderful things moms do. What better way to honor the mothers in our lives than by creating a space just for them? Whether it’s a cozy reading nook, a vibrant craft corner, or a tranquil home spa area, dedicating a part of your home to mom’s relaxation and creativity can be a truly thoughtful gift. Here are some tips on how to transform a small space into a personal retreat for the special mom in your life.

Identify the Perfect Spot: Start by choosing a space in your home that can be dedicated to mom’s activities. It doesn’t have to be large; even a small corner or a window alcove can be perfect. The key is to find a spot that is seldom used and can be converted into a personal sanctuary.

Define the Space Based on Her Interests: Think about what mom loves to do during her downtime. If she’s a book lover, a reading nook with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and a small bookshelf might be ideal. For the crafty mom, consider setting up a crafting station with storage for her tools and materials. If she loves to unwind, a mini home spa with a cozy robe, scented candles, and soothing music could be perfect.

Focus on Comfort: Comfort is key in creating a special space. Invest in a good-quality, ergonomic chair for reading or crafting, or a plush armchair with soft pillows for a relaxation zone. Make sure the flooring is soft underfoot, perhaps with a stylish rug that also adds a touch of warmth and color.

Personalize the Décor: Personal touches can make the space feel even more special. Include framed photos of family memories, artwork that she adores, or items that reflect her interests, such as vintage craft tools or a collection of classic novels. Choose a color scheme that she loves to make the area truly hers.

Add Thoughtful Details: It’s the little details that can make a space feel truly welcoming. For a reading nook, add a small side table for her coffee cup or a stylish lamp. In a craft corner, include ample lighting and a pegboard for organizing supplies. For a spa area, place luxurious bath salts and fluffy towels to enhance the experience.

Keep It Organized and Clutter-Free: Ensure that the space stays relaxing and conducive to enjoyment by keeping it organized. Use smart storage solutions that minimize clutter. Decorative boxes, hidden compartments, and wall shelves can keep supplies out of sight but within easy reach.

Gift Idea: From Chaos to Calm: Master Home Organization like a PRO

Once you've created the perfect space for mom, help her keep it perfect with From Chaos to Calm, an eBook filled with expert advice on home organizing. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips and solutions to keep her sanctuary clutter-free and peaceful, making it an excellent Mother’s Day gift that complements any of these space ideas.

Creating a special space for mom not only gives her a place to enjoy her interests but also shows how much you care about her comfort and happiness. This Mother’s Day, let’s give mom something that keeps on giving—space to breathe, create, and relax.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing moms out there!

Why This Artwork is an Inspiration This Mother's Day

Art is an important element to designing a room. A lot of times, art or wall decor are placed on the walls to "fill in" a blank space. The truth is art should be personal and unique, especially if it's in your home. It should draw an emotional response while complimenting the overall style of your room. 

This past Mother's Day I was reminded of my mother from an artwork I have hung in my staircase landing. It's a print of Picasso's Mother-Child sketch. My late mother, Suzanne Marise, was not an art collector but she owned this beautiful print and hung it in her room. It wasn't until I was collecting her things I noticed it was a Picasso print from 1904. I knew I had to add this to my home in memory of her. I decided to give it a facelift by adding a custom mat and frame. 

P.Picasso Mother-Child print 1904

"The truth is art should be personal and unique, especially if it's in your home." -S.Hayes

This Artwork Is Personal To Me.

Every time I see this Mother-Child sketch I can't help but be reminded of the bond between my mother and me. It's a way of having a little piece of her. Now that I'm a mother myself I understand the precious bond a mother has with her child, it's like no other relationship.

The Layers of the Sketch Remind Me Motherhood Is A Process.

As I look at Picasso's sketch of this mother nursing her child, I notice his multiple sketches of the mother's hand. I love to see the raw sketches of the hand included in the print. It shows the multiple drafts he had to sketch before developing a hand he was proud of. This process Picasso took is similar to the journey of motherhood. As mothers, we make mistakes, try our best but are not perfect. Motherhood is a journey of trial and error driven by love.  

This Artwork Blends With Many Pieces. 

In addition to the sentimental value this artwork has to me, I love the neutral tones and simplicity of the sketch. When selecting a mat and frame I decided to use a monochromatic palette by using a darker tone for the mat and a medium tone for the distressed wood frame. The neutral tones give me the versatility to use this piece on a gallery wall with a collage of other pieces or as a focal point by itself. 

Picasso 1904

No matter what pieces of artwork you use in your home, I hope that this inspires you to get personal with your wall decor. Be sure when you are selecting your artwork to consider the room you are placing it in and how it coordinates with your color palette and decor style. Share in the comments below your favorite artwork in your home and why. I'd love to hear all about it!  

To all the Mothers and Grandmothers I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!

À la prochaine,

Looking to create a color palette from your artwork? Check out: Using Art to Create a Color Palette.

Gift Guide: Design Picks for Mother's Day

"Being a mother is learning about strengths you didn't know you had, and dealing with fears you didn't know existed." -Linda Wooten

Mother's Day is only once a year but mothers should be appreciated every day for the important jobs they do. Being a mother has been one of the hardest but most rewarding roles I've been blessed with. When I think of my role model or who I aspire to be, I immediately think of my late mother Suzanne Marise and my late grandmother Georgette. I am truly grateful for their love and strength they had, which allowed me to become the woman, wife, mother and designer I am today. 

"No language can express the power, and beauty, and heroism, and majesty of a mother's love." -Edwin Hubbell Chapin

Let's lift up our amazing mothers, grandmothers, aunts and/or any motherly figure in our lives by showing our appreciation. Gifts are a great way to show that we care and think of our amazing moms or mom figures. This year I hand-picked some stylish-curated gifts for our everyday, busy moms. Click on the links below to order before Mother's Day and don't foeget to leave mom a special note!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

1. Crate & Barrel Vintage Tea Kettle 2. Amara Uzes Tuberose Candle 3. Amara Hangit Photo Display 4. West Elm Brass Word Object-Cheers 5. Amara Pearl Tumblers 6.

For more on my story, ready my bio. Drop me a note in the comment of your favorite mother's day gift.

Bonne Fête des Mères! (french. Happy Mother's Day!)

Gift Guide: Stylish Mother's Day Gift Ideas

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take."  -unknown

Happy Mother's Day

There are so many holidays that are celebrated throughout the year, but none of them are as emotional as Mother's Day. A mother's role is to nurture, guide and make sure everyone is united and taken care of in the household. As a mother myself to a 21 month old son and a 5 year old daughter I now appreciate the loving, patient, smart, and beautiful mother I had because it's not an easy role to accomplish. My mother, the late Suzanne Marise, is the reason I am the woman that I am today. Read my bio to find out why. 

"There's nothing like showing a token of gratitude and acknowledgement to someone that deserves it." 

As we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and any other woman that may have filled the shoes of our mothers this Mother's Day lets be grateful for the impact they have been in our lives. There's nothing like showing a token of gratitude and acknowledgement to someone that deserves it. 

Take some time and reflect on how you can show the mother in your life that you appreciate her. Your token of appreciation can be words of affirmation, a gift, or quality time. It should be from the heart and whatever you feel would put a smile on her face. If you need some inspiration check out some my Gift Guide for ideas on what to get the mom in your life.

As an extra bonus, here's a gesture that is never under appreciated: breakfast in bed! Dad's...if you have small children you can have them participate or if you're an empty nester this is a small and simple gesture that will let mom know you were thinking of her.

Give mom breakfast in bed

Looking for something to do Mother's Day weekend? Join us Saturday, May 7th at 11am for a Design Workshop on adding Function & Style to your kitchen and dining area. Come with mom, grandmom, auntie, your sister, your daughter or a girl friend. It will be a fun time filled with visual examples, informative tools and lots of design tips from designers! Click here to register today. Hurry, space is limited!

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Have a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day to all the fellow mothers out there!

P.S. Hey moms! Share in the comments below some of your favorite mother's day gifts from previous years. I would love to hear them!