BHG – Kitchen
In honor of Mother’s Day this weekend, I’ve been reflecting on where my love of beautiful homes began. It’s clear now that it came from my mother. She created warm, welcoming spaces where our family could grow—through thoughtful decorating, special holiday tables, and numerous home remodels. Her influence is everywhere in the houses I’ve lived in and the ones I design today.
She taught my sister and me many small but meaningful habits: how to polish the bathroom sink after each use, how to set an elegant table for a sit-down dinner, and the value of hanging full curtains so windows feel generous and luxurious. She always prioritized light, adding windows whenever possible so rooms would feel bright and inviting. Those lessons quietly shaped the way I care for and create home environments, and I’m grateful to still have her in my life, sharing that same love of home. Now I’m passing those traditions on to my daughters.
We have some exciting news: my oldest daughter Kylee and her husband Lance just bought their first home.
After years of living in a dark basement apartment, they’re thrilled to begin a new chapter. They just received the keys, and we’ll be sharing photos and updates soon. Their new place is a small three-level townhouse in Seattle, and it will be a great opportunity to explore creative ideas for compact living—how to make the most of limited square footage, improve natural light, and create cozy, functional rooms.
If you’re thinking about helping a young couple settle into their first home, consider simple updates that have big impact: fresh paint in light tones to amplify brightness, well-chosen window treatments to maximize light and privacy, thoughtful storage solutions to reduce clutter, and a few personal touches that make a house feel like home. Small remodels or cosmetic changes—like swapping lighting fixtures, adding open shelving, or retiling a backsplash—can transform a space without a major renovation.
Mother’s Day is a good moment to remember the small rituals and practical lessons that shape our homes and relationships. Whether it was teaching you to tidy a surface, host thoughtfully, or prioritize comfort and light, these habits become a meaningful part of family life and design sensibility.
What are some homemaking lessons your mother passed on to you?
Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and daughters celebrating this weekend.