Table Of ContentDESIGN MOM
54053txt001t288.indd 1 1/21/15 10:42 AM
54053txt001t288.indd 2 15-02-06 10:28 AM
DESIGN MOM
HOW TO LIVE WITH KIDS: A ROOM-BY-ROOM GUIDE
GABRIELLE STANLEY BLAIR
NEW YORK
54053txt001t288.indd 3 15-02-06 10:28 AM
Copyright © 2015 by Gabrielle Stanley Blair
For photography credits, see page 288.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced—
mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including
photocopying—without written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Blair, Gabrielle Stanley.
Design mom : how to live with kids : a room-by-room guide
/ Gabrielle Stanley Blair.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-57965-571-6
1. Interior decoration—Human factors. 2. Families.
3. Interior decoration. I. Title.
NK2115.B53 2015
747'.1—dc23 2014038734
Design by Naomi Mizusaki, Supermarket
Artisan books are available at special discounts when
purchased in bulk for premiums and sales promotions as well
as for fund-raising or educational use. Special editions or
book excerpts also can be created to specifcation. For details,
contact the Special Sales Director at the address below, or
send an e-mail to
To Mike and Donna, my own Design Parents.
Thank you, Dad, for introducing teenage me to Macintosh
computers and “desktop publishing.” Thank you, Mom, for
allowing me to make design decisions at an early age, and
for showing me that it doesn’t take deep pockets to create
a beautiful place where your family can thrive.
54053txt001t288.indd 5 1/21/15 10:43 AM
CONTENTS
Introduction | 8
The Entryway
Create a command center to keep the day running smoothly.
11
The Living Room
For adults. For kids. For quiet. For conversation.
47
The Kitchen
Where food and chores are an opportunity for family bonding.
87
54053txt001t288.indd 6 15-02-06 10:28 AM
The Kid’s Bedroom
The place to focus on sleep and dress.
137
The Family Room
Everyone in the family should feel like this space was created just for them.
175
The Laundry Room & the Bathroom
Rooms meant for cleaning and brightening should be clean and bright.
215
The Family Offce
A space where creativity can grow and paperwork can do its job.
251
Afterword | 284
Acknowledgments | 286
54053txt001t288.indd 7 15-02-06 10:28 AM
INTRODUCTION
you asked me to describe myself in a few frst thing in the morning. I remember the art in my
IF w ords, I’d tell you that I’m a designer and a childhood home (oh, the prints in that oversize
mother of six. If you gave me a few more, I might Norman Rockwell book!), and then consider the art
tell you that I’ve been a blogger called Design Mom in my current home and wonder what sort of
since my ffth child was born—almost nine years impact it’s having on my kids and if I should change
ago!—writing daily about all those areas where it up to create a new or different sort of impact.
motherhood and design intersect. There’s also Alt Since our frst son, Ralph, was born seventeen
Summit, a business conference I cofounded for years ago, one of the biggest things I’ve learned is
pioneering and rookie bloggers and creatives of all that design doesn’t have to disappear when kids
kinds, as well as Olive Us, a video series created by appear. You can defnitely, absolutely have a
my husband, Ben Blair, and me, that features our beautiful home that works for both kids and adults
kids—Ralph, Maude, Olive, Oscar, Betty, and Flora (and babies too!). It’s totally possible to take the
June—having adventures and learning new things space you live in right now and fgure out how it
and being good to each other. But my favorite can best serve your family’s needs. I’m 100 percent
words to use to describe myself are the ones I confdent that you can create a place where every
wrote frst. member of the family feels right at home.
I love the topic of this book: how to live with To my mind, a thoughtfully designed home is
kids. And not just how to live, but how to live well. one of the greatest gifts you can give to your family.
How to create a home that appeals to you as a The items you’ve chosen to surround you, both the
grown-up, and suits your kids at all their ages and practical and the decorative, tell your family’s story.
stages. This topic is on my mind daily—no They foster important conversations. They infuence
exaggeration. I think about the kids’ bathroom, and the likes and dislikes of your family members. They
how if I would simply stock the drawer with a have the ability to prevent or cause frustration. They
couple of extra hairbrushes, wails of “I can’t fnd the form the backdrop to your child’s childhood.
hairbrush and I’m going to be late!” during the I also know that the practice of living a
morning rush might be avoided. It’s a little thing, well-designed life with kids—one or six or however
but it could prevent the day from going downhill many happen to be running through your house—
8
54053txt001t288.indd 8 1/21/15 10:43 AM
is a continual effort. The system that works for children. Every week, I’m shocked at the fresh
your family today might not work tomorrow, inspiration. It never ends!
when the piano-lesson schedule changes, or when So if you asked me to describe this book in just
summer vacation starts. I fnd that incredibly a few words, I’d tell you that I’m a designer and a
comforting. It means there is no due date for my mother of six and that my husband and I love to
house (or your house) to be “done.” There is no imagine and work hard at designing our home
to-do list of tasks I have to accomplish right away environment, that this is how we strive to live well
to make sure my home is wonderful. I can together. If you gave me a few more, I might tell
implement one idea today, solve a recurring you that I wrote this book to inspire you and give
problem tomorrow, and over time create an you some stylish, simple solutions for your own
inviting haven that makes for the best sort of home. But the truest description of this book is the
family memories. one I wrote frst. I’m a mom and I’m a designer, and
Design isn’t some froufrou gloss or shiny some of my best family memories are made when
veneer on life, it’s insisting on a solution those roles collide. I’m so glad to be able to share
(preferably an elegant one) and working carefully with you the secrets I’ve learned along the way.
to make sure that solution works within whatever
constraints you have—architectural, fnancial, or the
fact that children live in your home. I know for a If you glanced at the contents, you
fact that you can use design to solve problems in P.S. may have noticed that there’s no
your home. I’ve had a million (well, technically, a chapter on the master bedroom. That’s intentional.
lot less than a million) conversations with readers You don’t need my advice here. The master
and other parents about how to make their nitty- bedroom is not a kid zone, it’s your zone, and you
gritty, day-to-day duties more intentional, more can make it as fabulous as you please. But it
stylish, and, dare I suggest, way easier. And every wouldn’t hurt to keep a favorite storybook or two
week on DesignMom.com I feature a peek into a in your nightstand, and perhaps an extra blanket
home somewhere in the world to showcase how and a foor pad under the bed for middle-of-the-
others are living well-designed lives with their night visitors who had a bad dream.
9
54053txt001t288.indd 9 1/21/15 10:43 AM
