Blessed as a mother of twin girls, Megan works as a part-time architectural historian in North Carolina. She is the voice behind Restoring The Roost, her creative outlet for recording her journey with historic places. Megan loves designing, antiques, architecture, homesteading, and her sweet little flock of chickens. She also loves creating a sense of place in an old home, and proving that new is not always better.
For Mother’s Day, we invited Megan to impart stories of her mother, and share her thoughts about being a mom herself.
Describe your mom in 3 words.
Ethical, thoughtful, organized.
Describe what your mom means to you in one sentence.
My mom is my comforter, friend, and always someone I turn to for advice. I am beyond grateful for her love and selfless devotion to me over the years. I don’t know what I would do without her. She always shows through her actions how much she loves and cares for me.
What’s your favorite activity to do with your mom?
Shop!! My mom has a great sense of style. She often picks out things for me that I wouldn’t have picked out myself, but which would turn out to be what I would like as well.
What are you most grateful to your mother for?
Allowing me and supporting me in pursuing my dreams, interests, and countless activities growing up that gave me such a rich, fun childhood and strong foundation for college and the real world.
What’s your favorite way to show your mom that you care?
Surprising her with something thoughtful and meaningful.
Are there small things your mom does for you that lets you know she cares?
Oh yes — she always sends us little packages or brings us thoughtful gifts. She often plans fun things for us, and provides for us in different ways. As a child she was always extremely involved in and supportive of everything I did. Now that I’m all grown up with a family of my own, she takes the time to come down and stay with me (we live about 8 hours apart) to help out whenever I need her to.
On being a mom.
What is your favorite part about being a mother? What is the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of it?
Wow, there are so many wonderful parts of being a mother that it would be hard to narrow down just one! I think one of the most amazing things is watching my twin girls (18 months) grow and change. I hate seeing them grow up and leave the baby stage for the toddler stage, but I also know that every age will be fun and wonderful. Their little personalities are so adorable and it is exciting to see them develop. I am addicted to loving them – I can never get enough kisses and cuddles!
Has motherhood changed how you decorate your home?
Yes, it certainly has in that any decorating I do now is pretty scaled down and simplified. It has to be practical and functional, in addition to being something we love. We can’t have a lot of small pieces or breakable things sitting around lest the girls would get hold of them. Comfort has also become more of a priority. For example, I chose a new wool rug in the family room because I wanted something soft, and a natural fiber for the girls to play on, instead of the seagrass rug we used to have in that room.
Has your mother influenced how you decorate and entertain in your home?
My mom has always been a great decorator and tends to like a classic but updated sense of style with high quality furnishings. I would describe her style as “classic cottage” or “sophisticated casual.” Her inspiration comes from sources like Ballard Designs, Pottery Barn, and small boutique home décor shops. I too tend to like these sources of style in addition to antiques and primitives, and I would have to say that more and more I find myself leaning towards the type of furnishings she has picked out for herself. My mom is a very organized person, and her house reflects this. She and my Dad recently moved to a new house (after 33 years in the house I grew up in) and before moving day she went in and marked with painter’s tape the outlines of where all the furnishings would go in order to plan a furniture arrangement. This is just one example of how methodical, analytical, and organized she is! I think organization skills is definitely an area where she has influenced me the most, as she often helps me get organized if I need help on a big house project.
What advice has your mother given you that you would also like to give to your children?
My mom has taught me to have a strong work ethic. She provided sound financial advice, and has always supported and encouraged me to pursue my passions and interests throughout my educational career. I think she taught me a love for history and local heritage without knowing she was doing so. I hope to pass these wonderful qualities on to my children too.
Is there an activity you do now that still reminds you of something you did with your mother as a child?
We loved going to the 127 Yard Sale together (World’s longest yard sale) finding all sorts of fun antiques and treasures. Some great memories also include going to various plays and theatre performances, ballet performances, and of course swimming in the pool during summer.
Do you have any springtime traditions you would like to pass on to your children and grandchildren?
I love to go berry picking in the springtime and I look forward to sharing this fun activity with my girls soon. At our house spring planting in the vegetable garden and raising new baby chicks are always a yearly activity and I hope they come to enjoy these too.
How do you and your family prepare your home for spring? Is there a specific piece of decor you put out that signifies spring has arrived?
I like to do a big purge in the early spring and just clear the house of any extra visual clutter sitting around. Planting in the garden is a huge responsibility in our house during spring, and usually our seedlings and grow lights take over the living room until they are ready to be transplanted outside! We have a potting bench that we made from free wood pallets on our porch, and once this bench fills up with potting supplies, transplants, seedlings and even supplies for new chicks — that’s a signal that Spring is indeed here!
What’s your idea of a perfect Mother’s Day celebration?
I think a nice Mother’s Day would be one where we spend the whole day with mom, perhaps doing a fun activity like visiting a neat historic site, famous gardens or museum, or perhaps going somewhere unique to shop. Then at some point sitting down to a nice meal and simply enjoying each others’ company.
Check out Megan’s blog post to see how she decorated her home with Balsam Hill’s Mountain Meadow Kissing Ball, Blue Dupioni Ribbon, and Globe Cafe String Lights!
