12 Designers Share Their Favorite Decor Item Gifted From Their Moms (Or Mother Figures)

Few decor items supply more sentiment and charm than a vintage piece gifted from a loved one. No surprise then that designers have an affinity for decorating their own homes with decor accents that they inherited from their mothers. “Antiques tether us to not only our personal history but also to a more significant shared global history,” interior designer Kendall Wilkinson explains.

Curious to learn what kinds of heirloom decor items interior tastemakers like to display in their personal spaces? From influential artwork to silver serving trays, 12 designers share the most treasured antiques they received from their moms (or a motherly figure) ahead. 

“My mom was born and raised in South America, in Colombia, and she gave me these Columbian terracotta figural sculptures that are from there. I keep them on a shelf in my home, styled with a mix-up of a lot of different objects collected over the years. They’re a little chipped and beat up, but I love that they remind me of my mom and where she comes from.” — designer Michelle Zacks of Michelle Zacks Designs

“A few years ago, my mother gifted me with a set of eight Portieux Vallerysthal French Blue Opaline wine goblets. Little did I know that this sweet birthday gift would become a much more extensive collection. I added chargers, decanters, and candy dishes — I even branched out into reproduction votives and ceramic birds in the same shade of robin’s egg blue! They have become my favorite go-to table setting for special dinners!” — designer Kendall Wilkinson of Kendall Wilkinson Design

“A few years ago, my mother gave me two of her Elizabeth Catlett prints. She’s had four of them for at least 43 years and they are such a large part of my memory from childhood. My mom purchased these prints in the mid 1970s at one of her National Association of Black Social Workers conferences.

The fact that Elizabeth Catlett was born and raised in Washington, DC adds to this creative lineage. I would go so far as to say that my core black and white palette has a lot to do with this foundation. As I write this, I recognize that the subconscious way I decided to hang them illustrates this so clearly. They are flanked by my own pieces, so there is an intimate relationship displayed between her work and her influence on my own.” — Black Artists + Designers Guild member and designer Hadiya Williams of Black Pepper Paperie Co.

“The dresser in our guest bedroom was in my mother’s childhood bedroom. It needed a little update when I first inherited it, and she was on board with me painting it and changing out the hardware. It’s the perfect size for our guest room, and the larger drawers make it great for storing extra bedding.” — designer Abbe Fenimore of Studio Ten 25

“When I got married, my grandmother gave me a few pieces of her Lladró china figurines that she collected throughout her life. They were particularly sentimental to me, because she used to keep them in a breakfront cabinet in her house, and we would stand in front of them when I was a little girl and make stories up about them, so having them in my own home is so special to me.” — designer Ariel Okin

“My two favorite heirlooms from both my mother and grandmother are antique, vintage decor items. My mother passed down a beautiful 1960s teapot from her grand-aunt (my great-grand-aunt) that has beautiful little ivies and diamonds decorated throughout the base, and it is simply so elegant.

I also adore my antique 1950s silver serving tray that my grandmother passed down to me. The roses in the center of the tray make for a nice touch. Whenever I look at the tray, I think of how my grandmother hosted her guests in the family room years ago.” — designer Dominique Brielle Fluker of DBF Interiors

“My mother handed down a vintage brass vessel that I have had in my home for years. It is such a beautiful vessel with intricate designs all over it, and it adds the perfect vintage touch to my modern home. This piece is very special to me, because it represents my mother and our heritage. Every time I look at it, I think of her. I love to display it on my coffee table and switch out different florals in it, adding a touch of nature to my home.” — designer Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design

“My silver service and the family portrait that hangs above it were both handed down by my mother-in-law. The silver service is special because it goes back four generations in my husband’s family. It was used in his great grandmother’s home in York Harbor, Maine during the summer.  It has beautiful details, and their family crest is on each piece. The gentleman that hangs above it is my husband’s great, great… (several greats) grandfather. I cherish pieces that tell a story about the people who live in the home.” — designer Gray Walker of Gray Walker Interiors

“My grandmother loved collecting jewelry holders. She had one that was a porcelain hand-painted floral vanity bowl that, when I was a kid, I dreamed of owning and putting my own rings in one day. My mom ended up giving it to me after my grandma passed away. It sits on my dresser and brings me joy every single day.” — designer Kirsten Grove of We Three Design

“My favorite item left to me by my mother is her Franciscan ‘Sputnik’ pottery she received as a wedding gift.  It is such a classic mid-century modern pattern that I use regularly when entertaining.

Although these classic dishes were considered ‘everyday,’ my mother typically used them for dinner parties or holiday lunches throughout the year.  It made me happy whenever she brought these out because I knew my parents would be entertaining, and I loved to watch and listen to the “grownups” when they were over.  Whenever I use these dishes now, I can recall their great dinners and also our family holiday dinners with my grandparents.”  — designer Mark Lavender of M. Lavender Interiors

“My mother was not only an interior designer but also a collector (they often go hand-in-hand), and when our family lived in Japan in the late seventies, my mom stocked up on things she loved. One of my most treasured pieces of hers, a vintage Japanese tansu — a traditional mobile storage piece indigenous to the country and its people — is one of the things I would grab in an emergency (you know, after knowing my kids and pets are safe).

Growing up, my mom had them configured in all of these ways based on different needs in the different houses we lived in. Today, I use mine stacked in my living room with pottery, a lamp, and art above to store candles in the top drawers and my boys’ giant, floor-sized chess set and mat in the lower drawers. I had it stripped and refinished for a drier, more natural finish, but I think my mom would be so proud to know I not only love it, but actively use it in everyday life.” — designer Liz MacPhail of Liz MacPhail Interiors

“My mom has loved the Lennox brand as long as I can remember. It was her go-to gift for special occasions, and she loved filling her display cabinet with interesting pieces. I especially love this decorated elephant that is playful, fun, and colorful. It’s definitely a conversation piece!” — designer Tina Ramchandani of Tina Ramchandani Creative