Hello everyone and
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!
I’m very excited about this post because I love showcasing my favorite interior designers. However, these designers come as a pair; they are mother-daughter interior design teams.
Ahhh… I was blessed with sons. Now, I dare-say that there are also some mother-son interior design teams, but aside from Lillian August, which is a furniture store. I don’t know of any.
Also, I am only hi-lighting, two mother-daughter interior design teams.
Of course, I am sure there are hundreds. In fact, I’m aware that some of you reading might be a part of such a duo. Of course, I am always looking for wonderful designers to follow, but there are certain elements I’m looking for, which both of these fantastic designers have.
One) They have a style that embraces classical design and styling.
Two) Their designs are uniformly beautiful, innovative (without being weird), and interesting. While it’s rare that I like everything a designer has in a room, with these designers, I consistently not only like nearly everything, but am wowed by it.
Please note that unless it’s a designer’s own home, that they were working with a client.
And, they might not “love” everything in the room. It depends on the designer and how far they are willing to strong-arm their client. lol Designers, however, are likely to show only their very best work. Or, rather they should. It’s a mistake to think that quantity matters over quality.
For all of you young designers, please remember that your portfolio is only as strong as your worst project.
Three) My favorite designers always have beautiful, cleanly designed websites.
Therefore, for Mother’s Day 2020, here are two dynamite mother-daughter interior design teams and some of my favorite work of theirs.
The hardest part of my day was trying to decide what to post.
Team number one is a firm I have shared on here several times, already. And, that is of Lauren and Suzanne McGrath of McGrath II.
Image removed of Lauren and Suzanne due to copyright trolls. Sorry guys.
Let’s begin with Lauren’s old, but timeless, apartment.
And, below the other end of the room. I adore this space! There’s beautiful architecture and perfectly proportioned furnishings, with gorgeous fabrics. And, all is expertly styled.
Those windows are so interesting. I wonder if the bookcases were built-in by Lauren? It’s reminding me of this post about baseboard heating and radiators.
The rest of the images will be of McGrath II’s wonderful client-work.
A magnificent living room from McGrath II’s Cobblestone Hill Project.
I love everything about this room!
Please notice the layered Oriental rug over the natural fiber rug.
The walls look very close to one of my favorite shades of navy – Benjamin Moore Deep Royal 2061-10. That’s in the Laurel Home Essential Paint and Palette Collection.
Here’s a detail of the room. I also want to point out the lovely linen sheer Roman Shades. I used a similar fabric several times, including my own (former) home.
That’s perfect!
Another incredible job they did was for this beauty in Locust Valley. (please check out the rest of the project in that link.) For those that don’t know Locust Valley. It’s one of those places that sounds disgusting. However, it’s anything but hideous. It’s an exceedingly affluent community in western Long Island’s north shore.
They always get the mix just right. And notice the balance of light, medium and dark, including black accents that I’m always harping about. Love that banquette.
McGrath II Charming girls bedroom with bunk beds
It’s details like that gorgeous old mirror that keep this space from being too precious.
One more detail to point out. It looks to me like the fireplace is faux. It appears not to be deep enough to be a working fireplace. Also, there needs to be a minimum of six inches of fireproof material between the firebox and the mantel. In any case, I hope it is faux because I like the idea of it not being a real fireplace. Remember this post about faux fireplaces?
And, I’m closing this sensational mother-daughter interior design team with this extraordinarily beautiful bedroom featuring a silk wall covering from DeGournay.
@joshuamchughphotography – @mcgrath2 @degournay silk wall covering
Please also check out McGrath IIs gorgeous Instagram feed. And, of course, follow them there.
Our second dynamite mother-daughter interior design team was just discussed a few days ago.
It was in this post about rustic interiors! I knew that I wanted to feature them, so I tried not to give too much away.
And this is the mother-daughter interior design team of Jean Stoffer and her daughter, Grace Start.
Above is Jean Stoffer
And her lovely daughter, Grace Start. Grace has her own instagram account which I enjoyed looking at. In fact, it appears that Grace is a mamma too. Maybe one day, there will be three generations of women working in the firm. (that’s if Grace has a daughter.)
Oh, I do need to add, that Jean’s son and daughter-in-law help out with the business too. I love that!
Jean recently moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she opened up a magnificent brick and mortar store, Stoffer Home.
And, there’s more. They also manufacture their brand of inset kitchen cabinetry.
Jean’s kitchens are beyond the beyond.
This one is from Stoffer Home, their shop in Grand Rapids. There are many other photos on their website. But, I’m trying not to be [too] greedy.
Another beauty from their Lakeside project. There are so many incredible details. One of my favorites is the mirrored panels on the fridge. I mean, I think that’s the fridge.
But, anyway, do you recognize the beautiful Suzanne Kasler Morris pendants? I love that they did the smaller size. So, often I see two of the bigger ones, and I feel that they are too large. But this size is just right.
By the way, that link above links to the light fixture sold on the Stoffer Home online SHOP, and this one links to the shop itself!. Yes, you can get most of their beautiful light fixtures and much more on their online shop.
There’s also a mini widget coming up that will link to some of these light fixtures.
Oh man, these kitchens are so incredible. This kitchen is from their English Cottage project.
One of the things I love, and it’s such a small detail are the charming paintings with the gold frames.
I know. They aren’t practical. Who cares? I mean, you’re not going to put a Rembrandt in your kitchen. haha.
Jean Stoffer Design – Fair Oaks – Another stunning kitchen!
And a close-up detail of the cabinetry.
Here’s a link to the Stoffer Home Cabinetry.
There is more information on their website on how you can get it.
They also sell this beautiful hardware!
They don’t just do kitchens. Their living spaces are just as wonderful. And does anyone recognize one of my favorite mirrors from Anthropologie?
The Aperture Mirror from Anthropologie
But, one of my favorites is this sophisticated nursery.
Thank you. Really, thank you.
My entire life, I’ve wondered why people put cutesy ducks and bunnies in a baby’s room.
Don’t we want them to learn great taste from the getgo? I mean, I bet you’re not feeding your baby Pringles. So, why put up stuff your baby is going to hate by the time they’re eight?
Of course, if you think I’m nuts and you insist on the trad nursery “themes,” that’s fine. But, for those of you who’ve felt as I do and obviously Jean, as well. (and, her client). Thank you again.
Another thing that Jean sells in her shop that I adore are these synthetic rugs. They aren’t expensive, (9 x 12 is $650) but wear super well and look great, too.
Smashing is the word that comes to mind.
That sink is reminding me of when I went to the Drummonds showroom in New York City.
Below is a widget with some of the lighting in these rooms – for sale. There’s a lot more on the website, as well.
Jean Stoffer Design English Cottage
Honestly, my heart rate goes up when I look at these rooms. That’s not a bad thing. My pulse is naturally quite low. So, it’s a little like exercising without actually moving. :]
But, just look at this stunning bedroom.
The cool table lamps on closer inspection are actually sconces that are not hard-wired. And yes, you can get them at Stoffer Home (Clarkson Double Sconce). If you give them your email address, (you’ll see a pop-up) they are offering 10% off.
And, after about two hours of searching, I did find the crystal ring chandelier. I love it too. You’ll never guess where I found it.
Restoration Hardware BABY AND CHILD.
It’s also on RH Hardware – teen.
No comment. Oh, believe me, I have plenty to say.
Remember this post about RH from the summer of 2016?
Oh, Laurel, PLEASE comment! It’s Mother’s Day… Please???
Pretty Please??? I’ll make you a chocolate cake.
Chocolate Cake, did you say? Can I have that in writing? ;]
Okaaaaaay. Here’s what I did. I used the method outlined in the back of Laurel’s Rolodex to find something on the internet when you have no way of knowing where it’s from. It works best with fabrics and things like that.
But, sometimes, I get lucky.
This was not one of those times. However, I kept putting in different search terms until I found the resto piece. In fact, I did look at Adult resto because I had a hunch it might be there. But, alas, they are considering this gorgeous piece to be “juvenile.”
Then, if you haven’t already looked at the old shocking truth about resto expose from 2016 and are curious, please do so now.
This time, I put in the resto piece into google images. You put it on your desktop and drag it into the box.
They even have the SAME pics. Now, did they rip off RH’s images?
Yeah. They did.
It’s a virus-eat-virus world, you know. ;]
But, they ALSO used Stoffer Home’s image as well. Hmmm…
You know, I was going to put that image here.
But, then I realized that Jean’s lovely client might see that and get a tad upset. And, then it could be a real shitshow! I’m not trying to upset anyone. And, I’m not advocating purchasing from Alibaba. However, I googled it, and it’s probably fine. Plus, you can get a buyer protection service.
And, I’m finishing off this incredible series of mother-daughter interior designers with this living room vignette. I think the colors are extraordinary. I love the restraint in Jean’s designs. Of course, I know that some of you will love that restraint and some will find some of these rooms too bare.
I love both looks. The other look would be one that some would find to be too “cluttered.” I’m not a fan of that word. It has such a negative connotation.
Well, enough of that. I hope that you enjoyed both of these mother-daughter interior designers.
And, I hope that you’re having a beautiful Mother’s Day! I know that some of us moms are separated from our children this year.
And, some of you are sick of your children. lol (and, vice versa)
I’m heartened to hear that in New York, there has been a consistent downward trend of new cases of the virus. Another bit of good news is I asked the very nice check-out woman at the ONE supermarket in Bronxville, this question, a few days ago.
Has anyone who works here gotten sick?
She said that she had only been there for about five weeks. But, during that time, as far as she knew, nobody had gotten sick. Of course, the store is taking every precaution and interrogates each employee at the beginning of their shifts.
In other news. I am going for an extended visit with my older son in Western Massachusetts.
I’ll be in Northampton, the home of Smith College. I’m going for five weeks. Why so long? Well, my son Cale is turning 30 on June 18th.
So, I’m staying at an Airbnb. And, yes, I’m taking my half-dead plant, Joe, with me.
Please understand; I do realize that I sound like a total kook.
This is why I need to get away. But, Joe has been with me for nearly 4.5 years. Years after the other dozen or so plants died, Joe has hung on and given me much joy and a meaningful sort of companionship. And, that means a lot to me. I wish more people were like him.
Why is his name Joe?
Well, I got him at Trader Joe’s.
Happy Mother’s Day, Everyone!
Love,
Please check out the newly updated HOT SALES for all of the latest sales in home furnishings. And, you can also check out some of my favorites.
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45 Responses
YOUR WORK IS SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I AM OBSESSED with the green paint color in the nursery. Would you be able to share what shade it is?
Happy Mother’s Day! My favorite gift is this blog post telling me WHERE to get DeVol-like cabinets here in the US, without hiring a Master Carpenter. I have been searching for about 2 years to see if this is something that exists here at this quality. I haven’t quite squirreled my kitchen budget, but one can swoon…
Beautiful photos! So for Father’s Day will you be doing the Howard’s? 🤣 I find Andrew’s aesthetic to be very close to Pheobe’s. ❤️❤️❤️
Oh, yes. Love Howard’s work. I forgot about him. He was destined for great things as his dad, Jim is also an awesome designer.
Thank you Laurel!
Laurel, I just love you
To Olga: Jean Stoffer. It’s her design.
Jean Stoffer. It’s her room.
Laurel, that’s a LOT of water. Maybe start weaning Joe off the bottle gradually….it’s almost always better to water once a week/10 days so that water runs out if the bottom of the pot. Some potting mixes contain a lot of peat, and are very hard to rewet once dry. In that case, it’s best to soak the pot in a bucket of water so that the whole rootball gets saturated. Then let drain thoroughly – never let a plant sit in water; the roots die. Unless it’s a papyrus plant…..Good luck with Joe!
Please could you tell me who I should get in touch with. Thank you.
I am just gaga over the last picture with the blue couches; these are exactly what I want. Would you please tell me where these came from and what they are called, as well as, the great rug. All of the rooms are spectacular – all of it is me if I could do it. Thank you so much.
Hello Laurel,
Thank you for yet another beautiful, inspiring post. It is such a treat to sit down and scroll through all your hard work – it does not go unappreciated!
This post finally gives me the chance to ask something about couch cushions I’ve always wondered. In the second picture of Lauren McGrath’s apartment the chair cushion and couch cushions look so puffy – how is that accomplished? Surely it can’t be an entirely down-filled seat cushion? Is it foam with a down topping of some sort? I would love some furniture with puffy seat cushions but have no idea what I would ever ask for. Thanks and enjoy your stay in Northampton, best to Joe.
Hi Martha,
Yes, that one looks to be down and feather that was plumped up before the shot was taken. 95% of time, I did spring down, which is a spring core with an outer layer of down and feathers. It gives that down-filled look with a high crown on the cushion, but won’t ever need to be fluffed.
Oh, I forgot about the rug. Thank you so much. Olga Morgan
I love all of the designs but at this time I’m redoing my living room and the blue couches in the last picture are absolutely the color and style of couch that I want. Please, Please tell me where you got them (and perhaps a price) and what they are called and any other information that would help me purchase the same. Please, Please
Wish I could help you, Olga, but it’s not my room.
Great post of some beautiful spaces. wonderful to share the passion with your child. I know of one Mother/Son team: Chris Briger and her son Charles Peed. Check out
Casa Gusto in West Palm Beach.
Happy Mother’s Day to you, Laurel. Here’s my thought about the very shallow fireplace in the McGrath interior that you think might be a faux fireplace: In my area (the San Francisco Bay area), the air quality management district now requires when a house is sold, that the fireplace be made inoperative. Ours is a 1905 house and we wanted to keep the look of the old fireplace surrounds. In anticipation of this, my husband & I had the chimney removed and the chimney sweep filled in the fireplace with firebrick so that it’s just as shallow as in your photo. My next project is to paint a fireboard (aka chimneyboard) that will fit inside the opening to hide the ugly firebrick. There are antique ones in New England museum & the V&A Museum. Also take a look at this decorative painter’s website: http://www.alasdairpeebles.com/projects#/chimney-board for a spectacular design. If you know of other examples, I’d love to see them! Take care!
Hi Laurel,
I wanted to wish you a Happy Mother’s Day. And I think it’s great you’ll be seeing your older son. As I’ve gotten older I’ve come to realize all I want to do is spend time with my daughter. Nothing else makes me as happy.
Thanks for the lovely post today. The talent of these designers is extraordinary. If only to have one of them design a home for me.
Hi Tracey,
He’s a little evergreen. His brother died after a few months. But, at that time, Joe was nice and healthy. I did transplant him about 17 months ago and he seemed to like that. Once in a while, I cut away his dead parts. I give him about 4 ounces of water every night. And maybe once every 3 weeks or so, a drop of plant food.
My sentiments exactly!
Beautiful post Laurel and I also love the story and how you feel about ‘Joe’. Happy Mother’s Day.
1. Wonderful! I suggest everyone consider going somewhere. I think we have all figured out the necessary precautions and considerations. Enjoy!! 2. Cluttered is a negative connotation-but I’m not sure “an abundance of charm” works either! 3.Chairs backing up directly to the fireplace? I thought the fireplace was rather attractive. 4. Your Racing Heart bedroom is perfection..IMO.
Happy Mother’s Day, Laurel! Oh, this is such a perfect post for Mother’s Day – or any day! These women are so gifted. I’d never have paired emerald green sofas with soft slate blue walls, but that tells you how little I know. I’d like to order that room ‘To Go’! Enjoy your long weeks with your son; you deserve it. Please wave to my daughter who’s just 120 miles east, in South Hamilton.
Happy Mother’s Day, Laurel! Absolutely stunning post. Every picture is perfection and gave me those sped up heart beats, too! Thank you for sharing the work of these talented mother-daughter design teams. I’m going to spend a lot of time checking out their work! I hope you and Joe have a wonderful (and safe) trip to visit your son!
One of my favorite posts! Thank you! I’ve admired the McGrath team ever since I saw a home in a magazine they’d decorated near me in northern NJ. Both these remarkable duos blend sophistication with livability – and touches of color. I find their color schemes very soothing but not dull – and I’ve learned my husband and I both like the comfortable neutrals they do so well. I could easily live in their rooms albeit with my considerably messy family. I’m not sure how to explain it but in some designer homes I suspect they’d look the worse for wear after my family moved in. But not with these designers. The rooms can take some regular folk wear and tear, and maybe look more lived in and even better? Does this make sense? Happy Mother’s Day, Laurel and everyone. Thank you for all your hard work and inspiration over the years, Laurel. Enjoy your son and a change of scenery.
Love today’s post! Do you know anything about the bedside lighting in the bedroom with the green velvet bed? Also, the overhead lighting in the living room with the green velvet sofas? They’re just what I’ve been looking for. Thanks and Happy Mother’s Day!
Hi Rachel,
I found the bedside lighting which is actually a sconce. Looking at it quickly, I didn’t realize that. So, I linked that in the post now. Still working on the living room crystal chandelier. Now I have a bee in my bonnet. haha
Okay. I found it. Hang onto your hat. This is gonna be good.
Love, love, LOVE!
I love your blog. This one is PERFECT.
Thank you for the quickened heartbeats: I had them too!
Kara
I love the look of “pickled” wood. Happy Mother’s Day everyone!
Happy Mother’s Day Laurel! Wanted to let you know how much I enjoy & learn from your blog. It really made me happy today. Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day Laurel! What an amazing post with truly gifted design duos. I am stunned by the Stoffer kitchens as well as the rest of their interiors. With no disrespect to DeVol, I think the Stoffer designs take it to the next level. That’s truly some of the most beautiful kitchens I have ever seen. With all of their designs, I love the delicious deep jewel-toned fabrics that are juxtaposed against light walls. Dark walls are contrasted with light furnishings. Just stunning! Thank you for sharing.
Oh Laurel 🙏
Please tell us where to find that beautiful cream and gold rug from that gorgeous bedroom with the green bed. I NEED that rug! Thank you!
Happy Mother’s Day to you
I’m sorry, I don’t know where it’s from.
Happy, Happy Mother’s Day Laurel. You put a smile on this Canadian’s face with each and every post. Hug your sons!
Such the perfect post for Mothers Day! I am so pleased to meet these mother daughter teams. Their design work is so elegant and lovely. They have very lucky clients. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Mother’s Day Lauren! Enjoy your getaway with your Son! Lovely post…as usual. Thanks!
Loved, loved this post. But we all want to see a picture of Joe!
What a treat to find this post this morning!
Great idea to feature mother/daughter designers. I viewed Jean Stoffer’s website after reading about her in the post last week. Such a feast for the eyes! She and her daughter are supremely talented, as are the McGraths.
Lucky you to be spending so much time with your son; I’d love to see my children, but one is in California and the other in Virginia. (I see a road trip down south in my future!) Wishing you and Joe a safe trip.
Thank you for this terrific post. It was especially nice to learn about Jean Stoffer and her daughter Grace Start, the team from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Just goes to show there are great designers in all parts of the country. Of course I loved the photos from the McGrath II projects, whose work is some of the best, but it’s really great that you also found and featured an amazing design team that is less well known and based in a smaller, midwestern city. So cool! Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to you–and enjoy your break in Western Massachusetts! Thank you for sharing both these wonderful mother/daughter design teams. I go for the restrained look and was especially taken with Stoffer/Start.
Oh my gosh, what a great way to start out my day! I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved this post and these designers. Thank you so very much. I love wallpaper and just started to take some down during this Pandemic. It was outdated. But now I want to put more up after having gone through all your white paints and picking one. Oh my gosh. There is just something that screams cozy when you see these wallpapers above. You made my day. Happy Mothers Day to you Laurel. I am new to your blog and have become addicted. You make me laugh so hard some days in a time when so much suffering is occuring.And you avail me the gift to dream when I see all these fabulous posts. God Bless you and thank you…
Laurel, thank you for the Mother’s Day gift! I loved this post. The McGraths are phenomenal.
I live in an area of Northampton called Florence. We’re about three miles from Smith College, my alma mater and where I worked for 35 years. For 25 of those years I worked as chief gardener for their renowned botanic garden. I’m wondering about Joe….do you know what kind of plant he is? And why ‘half dead’? If you send a pic I may be able to diagnose a problem.
I hope you enjoy your time in Northampton!
Yay for Northampton! I went to Smith! Anyway, great inspo in today’s post. I’m just bothered a little (ok a lot) by the first duos apparent habit of putting furniture in front of the fireplace—fake or not. Why do people do this?! Do you not find this offensive?
Hello Laurel, Both sets of designers produce high-quality yet quite different interiors. The McGraths have done a virtually unique thing that gives them lots of brownie points with me–they have placed a picture over a bookcase without obscuring any books.
For a mother-son duo, do Cris Briger and Charles Peed count? I am not sure if they are exactly designers. I only recall them because of the incongruity of that surname.
–Jim