Mother knows best: Lessons from Mom for a happy, healthy home.
Friday, May 7, 2021
As we celebrate Mother’s Day, now is the perfect time to think about the best advice she gave when it comes to taking care of our homes.
They got it from their momma
Brian Patrick Flynn, contributor and featured designer for HGTV.com
“As far back as age six, I remember thinking of how boring my friend's houses were and wanting to redo them myself. At six, that was unlikely to happen. It probably stemmed from my mom always updating our house every two years or so with a new paint color, millwork tricks and new upholstery … That one small taste of design had me hooked. What's fascinating most about it is that I've gone the opposite direction of my mom: bold colors are my norm and I barely even use white. Maybe I was adopted?" HGTV
"My mom is the most selfless, giving person I have ever met, and I largely credit her for getting me started with interiors." HGTV
See Anthony’s historic firehouse renovation, complete with Schlage door hardware now.
Design lessons for real life
Mina Starsiak Hawk, co-founder/owner of Two Chicks and a Hammer, HGTV star
“The way I designed homes before I owned my first one was different. Now, designing the one that I’m currently in, that we filmed my forever home special about, we’ve been more driven by, ‘Okay we’re going to have a kid…’ I know babies have all the gadgets and the bottle warmers. So when I did my kitchen layout, I had a cabinet that literally sits right on top of the counter and has outlets inside of it. So, you can leave things plugged in and close the cabinet, so your counter doesn’t look cluttered. So just a lot of functional things like that, that until you’re in the situation, you don’t really realize that maybe you don’t have.” TV Insider
Heidi Klum, model, TV host, producer and businesswoman
"I'm not someone who [lives] like, 'Okay, this is a museum and you can't sit here and you can't touch this and everything has to be put in its place—[the kids] live here as much as we do. You come into our house and a giant elephant and lion are welcoming you. We have toys and things everywhere." Good Housekeeping
You get what you pay for
Coty M., Allegion Digital Workplace Administrator
“My mom always told me it’s your home, take care of it. When it comes to repairs, if you go too cheap, then you will have to fix it again. Before committing to a project or repair for your home, do your research. If you can do it yourself, then do it because you will have a much better appreciation for your home. If you intend to hire individuals to do the work at your house, negotiate. The worst thing they will say is no.”
Becky H., Content writer/Schlage blogger
“$20 isn’t too much to spend if it makes your life better. My family tends to be frugal, but my mom has reminded my sister and me more than once not to be too stingy with our wallets. It doesn’t matter if it’s patio furniture, a filter to help the dryer work better or a high-quality spatula. If it adds enough value to your life, it’s money well spent.”
Masters of the clean house
Craig B., Allegion Manufacturing Engineer
“After you shower, if you wipe your body down with your hands to remove the excess water before grabbing a towel, you reduce the amount of moisture on the towel and it stays clean longer.”
Tyler B., Allegion Director of Customer Experience Applications
“Does a lesson I was taught but clearly have never implemented count? My mother always tried to teach me that cleaning up a little bit every day helps you avoid the major interruption of having to clean up everything at the end of the week/month/<time period in between visits from adults>, and yet I don't seem to ever actually learn that lesson.”
Mom-work balance
“After you shower, if you wipe your body down with your hands to remove the excess water before grabbing a towel, you reduce the amount of moisture on the towel and it stays clean longer.” TV Insider
“After you shower, if you wipe your body down with your hands to remove the excess water before grabbing a towel, you reduce the amount of moisture on the towel and it stays clean longer.” Architizer
According to Architizer’s interview with Taylor and other woman architects, women start architecture careers in approximately the same numbers as men but leave the field in greater numbers. The American Institute of Architects’ Diversity in Architecture Survey found that 71% of women in the industry were concerned about work-life balance, compared to just 50% of men. Additionally, 70% of women, and 47% of men, found long hours make it difficult to start a family, thereby encouraging them to leave the field.
This and that
Mimi M., Allegion Executive Administrative Assistant
“My advice to my kids (and one of them in particular said it saved him several times) is, ‘If you have to ask yourself if you should or you shouldn't … you probably shouldn't.’”
Molly Williams, Apartment Therapy
“Take your houseplants outside in the summer (or at least open a window). This is a lesson I’ve taken to heart over the years! When I was a kid, my mom would drag all her houseplants outside once the weather started warming up. By the time it was time to bring them indoors in late September, they would have grown tenfold.” Apartment Therapy
"Don't do something to your home because you saw it on Pinterest. Your home should tell your story and be a soft landing at the end of the day. There's only one you, and you should celebrate that." Southern Living
We trust our moms with our homes, our own children, practically everything. With everything she’s given you over the years, wouldn’t it be nice to give something back to her? Find thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day at the Schlage gift guides and be sure to check out the newest guide for gardening mommas.
