"Your
environment shouldn’t reflect what other people appreciate, it
should reflect what you appreciate," Teresa Manns says. A
favorite spot in her Wauwatosa home is the banquette at the
dining room table where she can sit with her feet up Sunday
mornings reading the New York Times. |
 |
Only one thing
could tear Teresa Manns away from a globe-trotting design career in
New York City working for the renowned Steven Gambrel — true love.
After marrying her former high school classmate whom she met at their
20-year reunion and commuting from Wauwatosa to NYC for two-plus
years, Manns decided to make Milwaukee her home base at Peabody’s
Interiors in Brown Deer.
JR: What can
Milwaukee learn from New York design-wise and otherwise?
TM: I actually
find a lot of similarities between Milwaukee and New York. The arts
are really supported and encouraged. New York has a reputation of
being cold and unfriendly but in fact the sense of community is very
strong. I didn’t really know Milwaukee, but I’m very happy here
the more I get to know it. Interiors here skew a lot more traditional
in style. I like to take a look inside a person’s closet to see the
colors, textures and shapes they gravitate toward. People don’t
necessarily translate those bolder fashion choices to their homes.
JR:
What’s a favorite design trend?
TM: I like the
trend of people adding fireplaces in their kitchens. I love banquette
style seating. People’s lives are so busy. It’s nice to have a
sense of occasion and take an hour or two to relax and connect with
each other instead of being distracted. We do that at home a lot with
the kids. They know when the candles are lit it’s at least an
hour-long sit-down dinner.
JR: What
elements are often overlooked in design?
TM: It’s
really important that every space be lived in and on, and used.
Nothing is unapproachable. Life’s too short to worry about dirt and
pet hair. When you are in your home everything should help you enjoy
that one hour a day you get to relax. Have beautiful linen napkins
that you use at dinner; a cloth napkin just elevates the experience.
Have nice hand soap — the little luxuries that aren’t necessarily
expensive. Light a candle when you walk in the house or cut a branch
and stick it in a jar on a table. Those little steps make such a huge
impact.
JR: What is your
favorite city in the world?
TM: New York is
my favorite city. It has everything.
JR:
What inspires you?
TM: When I
travel I love to visit older cities that have interesting
architecture. I’m fascinated by Prague — even the street lights
have interesting architecture. I love traveling and seeing different
color combinations. I find myself taking photos of this corner of this
table — not taking a picture of the grand room. I look at that
marble with this marble and never would have thought of that
combination. It helps me to remember at that moment I reach for that
fabric that isn’t the obvious choice — just put things together
until something starts to gel.