Today is my mum's birthday--she's twenty-nine again! Everything I know about taste and class, I learned from her. With an unerring eye and an innate sense of style, my Mum is my final word on fashion and interiors. And nothing gets her heart racing like a clean, spare, neutral interior such as the one above...
Mum has elevated 'getting cozy' to an art form. Her bedroom is a haven of luxe linens and downy duvets. I gave her an ultra-soft robe from Matteo, and she loves to sink deep into its comfy folds.
Though she's never had formal training, Mum's skills in the kitchen rival those of any restaurant chef. Whether making us Sunday morning waffles or whipping up a fancy-pants leek souffle for New Year's Eve, Mum knew the way to our hearts was through our stomachs!
One of Mum's more recent obsessions? Tea and coffee! She loves the ritual of a hot cup in the morning, lovingly crafted and delivered with a kiss. When guests come over she pulls out her special tea cups, and she serves Earl Grey infused custards or green matcha biscotti.
Of course eating and drinking is as much about presentation as it is about taste, and my Mum needs no excuse to indulge her fetish for beautiful tablewares! An haute cuisine meal prompts her to lay the table with her best Astier de Vilatte, whereas a rustic tortilla soup calls for the terra cotta bowls. She has a dish for every dish!
Even in the bathroom, my Mum doesn't skimp on those special little touches. She designed and built the whole room, hand-tiling the intricate marble mosaic in the shower herself. She definitely passed on that DIY gusto to me, and we love to dive in and get our hands dirty together!
Mum has a passion for antique rugs and textiles--something she shares with her own mother. She can spot a quality Kilim from a mile away, and the warm wood floors of her house are covered in the pieces she's collected over the years.
Mum's talents extend outdoors too. Her garden was even featured in a book
But perhaps the greatest things I got from my mom? My determination and my sense of humour--though I cannot accept responsibility for the cat-on-a-leash incident ;) Happy birthday, Mum. I love you!
Image Credits: 1, 2, 4, 8. Marie Claire Maison 3. Atlanta Bartlett
So sweet and what a gorgeous set of images. Hope she had a lovely birthday and know you've done her proud!
Posted by: Jane Flanagan | September 01, 2009 at 07:49 PM
I want to move into that dream house!
Posted by: Erin | September 04, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Fantastic photos! I had to look through twice :)
Also, I hope your Mom had a lovely, lovely day celebrating her birthday...
Posted by: Sarah Klassen/Haute Design | September 04, 2009 at 03:09 PM
happy birthday mom!!!you're the sweetest anne..
Posted by: shilvia | September 07, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Awww wonderful post and I LOVE the creme fills stand!
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