Mother's Day design secrets

In honour of mothers on their special day, we asked design people what decorating secrets they learned from Mom.

Sarah Richardson
Sarah Richardson Design
"It's hard for me to pinpoint exactly what I learned from my mom -- I feel the entire foundation of my design approach stems from her vision. She taught me to appreciate quality in interior design and furnishings. She made our home beautiful, chic and inspiring while juggling both a full-time career and being a single mother."

Margot Austin
Style at Home senior design editor
"I learned about fabrics and sewing from my mom. When I was little, I loved going to the fabric store with her -- it was a world of imagination and creativity. She taught me to appreciate high-quality, natural fibres like silks, wools and fine cotton. Now working with fabrics is one of my favourite parts of decorating."

Justin Ryan
Colin & Justin's Home Heist
"My mum taught me never to buy what I don't need: a bargain is only a bargain if it's something important. I also learned all about colour selection and furniture arranging from my very artistic mum, and I firmly believe that had this wonderful woman been any less interested in our family home as I grew up, I might not be where I am today."

Colin McAllister
Colin & Justin's Home Heist
"Growing up with my mum was all about Sunday afternoons spent watching classic black-and-white movies, evenings having dinner with Elvis playing in the background, and all the time in between spent dancing and laughing. Home for me is fun, escapist and exciting -- all things I learned from my mother -- elements that my partner, Justin, and I now include in all our designs."