Mother's Day Tribute: How I Learned to Decorate

Filed under: Your Home, Fun Stuff, Holidays

Our writer reflects on decorating her first apartment with the help of her mother's style, input and patience.

It doesn't take a holiday for me to appreciate my mom -- we have always been very close. But as I approach the first Mother's Day in my new apartment, it seems only fair that I pay tribute to the woman who introduced me to the satisfaction of a well-dressed -- and therefore, happy -- home. Through the years of all our lunching, chatting and oh, of course, shopping, the conversation always turned to the event we were both so looking forward to. The day I get to decorate my own home.




When I graduated college and moved into a Brooklyn apartment with my boyfriend, there was plenty on my to-do list, from finding a job to navigating my new neighborhood. Sound a little stressful? Maybe. But inside, I was doing cartwheels. Because armed with Christmas cash and a vision, my mom and I joyously set out to tackle my new place's decor.

I must say I have an innate knack for style, but I must admit, my mom has taught me most of what I know. And when it came to the basic building blocks of a home, she was indispensible. Not only did she help me pick out the "good" kitchen utensils, she told me which ones I needed and which to skip. One of her most important shopping missions: Finding me a nice spice rack. Why? Because I "need all the spices." She also sent me off with a handmade cookbook of all my favorite recipes written-out, just as she makes them. My favorite entry? Brownies. "Buy a box and read the back."

Good luck finding an interior designer who will take such care of their client!


While my mom and I dress mostly in black, we agreed that I should have a lighter, neutral base topped with colorful accessories. So I started with a tan microfiber couch, assuring it would go with any decor I decided on. When I found the vibrant print pillows in a catalog, I immediately Skyped my mom to show her before purchasing. Yes, she loved them. And yes, I bought them.

And it's not all sunshine and floral pillows -- she's kindly stood by me through the more frustrating shopping trips -- the one where I attempted to buy hangers but was so overwhelmed by the options that I left several stores in a huff. Or when I bought cookie sheets at multiple stores in one day, then went back to return the ones that didn't make the cut. All this at the expense of my mom's time, patience and gas money. (She may have a second career as a very tolerant personal shopper.)

My decorating process has been much more enjoyable having her by my side, whether it's in person, via Skype or just that voice in the back of my head (even when it's saying "Make a decision! It's just hangers."). When she saw my apartment for the first time, all her "oohs" and "ahhs" made me so proud. But she's the one that should feel proud. Her love of decor and all things style have not only helped make my apartment a lovely, homey place that I'm delighted to return to every evening -- it's given us another outlet to connect.

And I'm most grateful for that.

Happy Mother's Day, mom! I love you.

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