Dear Daughters: The Keys to Real World Design

DEAR DAUGHTERS,

There really is no formulaic design mystery here.

I promise.

In fact your eye for design is far beyond mine was at your age(s).

Let’s pretend you asked my opinion anyway…

Here are a few key points to real world design.

Key Point #1:  

In the world of daily real world design (where we live), I have 
realized that a key distinction (in addition to talent and 
training) that separates confident, successful

and even professional  designers from you and me

is CONFIDENCE.

They are simply confident in the doing of it all.

My recommendation when you are standing in the middle of your living room feeling doubts?

Think ‘this is not world peace.’


Key Point#2:    My confidence is not really confidence.


It is rather

the mother of invention,

the shoestring budget,

the sciatic nerve pain from moving furniture for a million years with my hips because I just HAD to try it right then,

the shouting, when in a bind on a step stool with small sharp nails in my mouth, to anyone who will listen,

“Help!”,

the avoidance of furniture stores,

and the pleasure I find in seeing what you do.

Key Point #3:  You do not have to know what you like.

Like it all.

You know how we gravitate to the diverse anyway?

Your home is your love of diversity with a roof.

It is what we do-

as in invite everyone.

Be very, very glad that I realized early on that nothing good happens in a world of cookie cutter harvest gold and avocado green.


I so cookie cutter tried.
Trends will continue.
We are currently living in a land of farmhouse living.

It is lovely. 
However, I will never forget what Papa said when I encouraged him to read The Grapes of Wrath.

He said, "I don't have to. I lived it."

Let's just say South Texas farm houses of the 50's and 60's don't look like farm houses of today.

And finally one last family memory.

In 1958, when Nonnie painted her kitchen at the ranch

bright white, with white cabinets, used black wrought iron pulls,and installed red formica countertops,

she wasn’t looking for like minded people.


How can you dance in the kitchen to Ray Charles

if it looks like everyone else’s?

Love, Mom