To the Women Who Made Us: A Mother’s Day Letter from Pillows and Porches

Mother’s Day is a time to honor all the sacrifices, long days, and yes, even the ruined furniture, that our moms so willingly gave up for us. It’s a day to celebrate the women who raised us and to reflect on the quiet, powerful moments and memories we’ve shared with them.

At Pillows and Porches, those memories live in the details, wine stains on the dining table, blankets draped across the sofa, photos scattered along the hallway. But at the heart of everything we create is love. And the very first person who taught me how to create with love was my mom.

My love of design began on Sunday mornings, curled up next to her while watching HGTV. From House Hunters to Sarah’s House, those shows were more than entertainment, they were shared moments, a window into a world we both adored. Design became our language and a way for me to stay up later.

I grew up watching my mom turn our house into a home. Every room, every party, every tablescape was crafted with care. From rearranging bookshelves to setting the Christmas tree, even full-on renovations, she transformed spaces into something timeless, warm, and aspirational. With my dad as the muscle, she was unstoppable, pairing vision with heart, style with soul.

Known for being a mover and a visionary, my mom had a gift for spotting potential in the most run-down, outdated homes. She’d see what they could be and then bring that vision to life. Even though the moving process was often chaotic, it always felt like an adventure. And what I looked forward to most was the big reveal at the end. Just like every HGTV episode, you’d walk in and nothing would be the same. It felt like Christmas morning. But what you didn’t see on those shows, and what made it even more special, was the intention behind every choice she made. She poured thought, effort, and love into every decision to give our family a place where we could finally exhale. Where home truly felt like home.

Now, as we build Pillows and Porches together, I see her influence in every detail, from the way we layer textures to the care we take in helping others build homes that feel like theirs.

To every mother, every nurturer, every woman who makes a house a home, thank you. You are the reason beauty and comfort live side by side. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate you.

And to my own mom, thank you for showing me that the most important part of designing a home is centering it around the special memories made with love.