I’m Paige Wassel. WAS the Newsletter is your weekly dose of design inspiration, where I will admit my mom does have great interior taste.

This week, we’re handing over the mic to Susan (MY MOTHA): design enthusiast and unapologetic champion of pink. If a room could talk, Susan would probably be the one asking it a hundred questions—and then rearranging the furniture her way anyway.

What first sparked your interest in design?

My Motha, Jean. She was a lay artist who loved to sketch and draw – and decorate.

Was there a home, room, or place from your childhood that still influences your taste today?

The kitchen. My mom always matched the kitchen wallpaper to the curtains over the sink, and in my formative decorating years, I thought that was so clever. To this day, I have a matching problem. What can I say? I like a match.

Who are some designers, artists, architects, or creatives who inspire you?

My brother, Jeff, is a retired architect and had a huge influence on my taste in design and fashion. He worked for Helmet Jahn, a big name in architecture, and had a hand in designing several Chicago landmarks. He had chairs you just admired, never sat in. He bought me my first Coach bag back when nobody knew who Coach was. He didn’t just appreciate design and craftsmanship; he lived in every little detail of his life.

What’s your favorite part of the design process?

Ok, this isn’t really part of my process but here’s a little-known fact about me. I love to go to stores and put items together. I merchandise things when nobody is looking. I go to Goodwill and put outfits together and hang them on the end of the rack. I put place settings together from the various dishware. In fabric stores, I move bolts of fabric so the complementary fabrics are next to each other. Omg, this gives me such a thrill! You know all the little squares they have for people who quilt? Well, I don’t quilt but I do love shopping the squares and putting different patterns together. Apologies to all the store employees who have had to return my creations to their original locations. I hope my efforts have positively impacted sales.

What’s the best design purchase you’ve ever made?

Mostly things Paige told me to buy haha. I do however, have some Barbara Barry pieces – a loveseat covered in linen, a chocolate brown leather wingback chair, and a slipper chair I love. We don’t even use the loveseat anymore but I remind my people this is “forever furniture” and the right place will pop up one day. Oh, and also our Chicago condo. Best. Purchase. Ever. It’s located in a row house built in 1896 and the architecture both inside and out is extraordinary (in my humble opinion).

What are you loving lately – in design or in life?

I am loving being retired! I have never been happier in my whole life (I mean births of children were incredible but hard as hell!) I am having so much fun working on the novel I’ve been writing for 20+ years hahaha, sewing things with my new sewing machine, going to the ballet, art exhibits, scouring vintage shops, street festivals – oh and enjoying rosé and gin and tonics with friends now that summer is here. On the design front, our Michigan lake house is busting my ass (thanks, Paige, for all your help) but almost done!

What’s one design rule you always follow—and one you love to break?

A recent design rule: Do not go for the gold when decorating. I’m not talking Olympic gold, I’m talking gold light fixtures, hardware, coffee table bases, bar carts. Not to be confused with brass, which I love. All you gold diggers will be sorry as this trend is already headed to the gutter. One rule I love to break is saying I hate something and then changing my mind.

 What design trend do you think we’ll look back on and laugh about?

Those amoeba-shaped cloud chairs and couches. Ew.

What’s one piece of design advice everyone should know?

Never pay full price. I’m cheap.

A LIL RAPID FIRE PORTION…..

Favorite color?

Pink – it’s a layover from childhood and my pink French provincial bedroom. I defines me.

Vintage or new?

New mattress. Vintage night stand.

Pattern or solid?

Pattern – plaids, stripes, florals, not so much polka-dots.

Dream house location?

A pied-a-terre in Paris (although when I put on Edith Piaf in our Chicago place, it’s like I’m sipping champagne on the Seine).

A room you could redesign over and over again?

Once I get a room the way I like it, it stays that way for awhile – until Paige tells me, “time for that to go!”

xx,
P