By Barbara Kaplan
Mother’s Day brings thoughts of my mother and the influence she had on my design life. I guess you can say she helped design my life. My mother taught me one of the great joys in my life, which is to love beauty. That is, of course, my version of what I think is beautiful. We all have our own definition of what beauty is and after all as the saying goes, “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” This she taught me too, by never criticizing my taste, but by showing me what good taste looks like. Then I could form it to what my version of good taste is to me. And then I could decide how I would like to express it.
This awareness brought me into the world of interior design which has become my life’s work. It created a passion for wanting to help people discover their taste and style and then help them express it.
As an interior designer, so much of what I do is working with women, most of whom are moms. I see and hear how much women care about their families and the great efforts they make to create a home that looks beautiful, feels comfortable and is happy to live in. I love discussing with wives and mothers the needs and wants for their families and then help them create their vision, fully realizing that what I am designing for this family will inspire how they express themselves in this environment and all their future environments.
So on this Mother’s Day, I encourage you to help your mom create a day of beauty and joy for herself in her own home, which she created for her family. The best way to do this is to ask her what she would like, although she may not even know what that is. Here are a few thoughts and ideas for mom to enjoy at home:
- Ask her if there is something special she would like for the house. It could be as simple as a plant, pillow or lamp by her reading chair.
- Frame a family portrait to match the décor of the home.
- Make dinner and treat her as a guest in her own home. Serve it in the dining room or garden.
- Put candles around a tub, fill it with bubble bath and add a luxurious towel in her favorite color
- Play her favorite music and ask her to dance. What fun to dance in your home!
- Watch her favorite movies with her.
And, of course, moms love to spend time with their children and know that their children are happy. So enjoy this special time with her and let her know how happy she makes you feel!
Remember, rooms have no feelings; you do!
Barbara Kaplan is the owner of Design Dimensions and Barbara’s Picks. She is past president of the International Furnishings and Design Association and Women At The Top. She is also an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Barbara is the creator and author of The Bajaro Method: Rooms Have No Feelings, You Do! Her online Design IQ, called The Color and Design Preference Profile, can be taken free of charge at BajaroMethod.com. Her Design & Lifestyle Escape Shopping Tours are available for free. Sign up at BarbarasPicks.com.
