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RIGHT HOMEAT

photography by CHARLIE JULIET PHOTOGRAPHY

Ashley Stark, mother of three, Creative Director of STARK, and the namesake behind Ashley Stark Home, invites us into her stunning NYC home to talk parenting and creating practical, polished spaces.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING US INTO YOUR HOME! WHERE DO YOU SPEND THE MOST TIME HERE? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE WAYS TO KEEP SPACES BEAUTIFUL YET PRACTICAL FOR YOUR FAMILY?

I spend the most time in the kitchen; it’s the heart of my home. I cook while the kids are hanging out and they love being involved.

NOW LET’S TALK KIDS ROOMS. WHAT WAS YOUR INSPIRATION WHEN CREATING SPACES FOR YOUR MINIS?

I created a space for them that allows them to grow, nothing too childish. Their rooms are sophisticated, whimsical. My daughter’s room has floating book shelves styled with things she’s interested in, making it easy to switch them out when she grows out of them. My son’s room has an Ashley Stark Home rug (the Aziza rug) and right now he likes to race his cars across the eclectic patchwork design, but the rug’s hues and timeless style will be ideal for each year as he matures. The best advice: use performance fabrics and natural fibers, such as wool rugs, which are easy to clean. Stark has a SPA Collection that is luxurious and also stain-resistant, UV resistant, and spill-proof. We can have beautiful homes that are also practical. But, the most important thing to remember is to not stress about it because it’s a home and it’s meant to be lived in!

IS THERE A MISCONCEPTION YOU THINK EXISTS WHEN IT COMES TO FAMILY FRIENDLY DESIGN?

There are a few misconceptions on family-friendly design, and the first is that you have to sacrifice on style and design by keeping it inexpensive. The second is the idea our homes must be perfect when the truth is family homes are meant to be lived in and it’s okay to have wear and tear. The most important thing is to be together and utilize the space, or else what’s the point?

HAS YOUR STYLE CHANGED SINCE BECOMING A MOM?

It hasn’t changed all that much. I don’t try to decorate around them. I created big play spaces so they can keep their toys in one area and having a designated area makes a big difference.

AS A MOM OF THREE, TELL US WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT MOTHERHOOD THUS FAR.

The first few years it was hard to navigate the mom life and personal life balance. Once I got into the swing of things, though, I learned that no one can do it all and all the time. It’s important to remind yourself of this.

WHAT IS ONE THING ABOUT MOTHERHOOD NO ONE PREPARES YOU FOR?

People don’t tell you how hard it is to always think about somebody else first, and to then realize it needs to be a balance.

WALK US THROUGH YOUR MORNING AS A MOM OF THREE AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR.

Being a mom of three comes first in my morning routine, and after waking up and making the kids breakfast and packing their lunch, I’m out the door and rushing to drop them off at three different schools. After that, I’m rushing to my first meeting at which point I have my own coffee. For creative work, I like to take a walk through Central Park and find inspiration in nature and everywhere around me.

WHICH TRANSITION DO YOU THINK WAS MORE DIFFICULT: ONE TO TWO KIDS OR TWO TO THREE?

One to two kids was more difficult because I didn’t realize how much juggling was involved, and I was still figuring out the work and home life balance. Three kids felt like one more and wasn’t that different, because by then, I had a good system in place.

WHAT CAN OUR READERS FIND AT ASHLEY STARK HOME?

Ashley Stark Home offers amazing rugs— the Danika and Piri rugs are two of my current favorites. I collaborated with Diane James to offer beautiful faux florals and we just expanded with new florals in modern vases and hand-tied bouquets. Each season, I curate a new collection and my holiday collection offers so many wonderful tabletop pieces for entertaining, but also lovely gifts like jewelry boxes, ornaments, cozy throw blankets, and candles. Another big favorite of mine is the Scalamandre tigre pillows that add so much pop to one room!

ANY HOME DECOR TRENDS YOU’RE INTO RIGHT NOW?

I try not to follow trends so much and my own style is more timeless with an edge, but I’m loving plush, textural elements in a home as well as beautiful molding that’s a little more ornate. My love for textural and ornate has translated into a lot of the wallcoverings at Ashley Stark Home and offerings that give the look of panel molding, metal stamping, and linens, giving a textural warmth to a room.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST CAREER MOMENT TO DATE?

Launching my own company, of course! Ashley Stark Home launched in Spring of 2022, and the launch and success we’ve already experienced is definitely my proudest career moment to date.

WE ALL HAVE MOM GUILT. WHEN DO YOU FIND IT CREEPS IN? ON THE CLOCK

Ashley Stark shares her favorite kids book, movie, and coffee order.

FAVORITE KIDS BOOK Harry Potter.

NOW PLAYING “Anything from the ‘90s.”

IN MY FRIDGE “Lots of healthy snacks.”

COFFEE ORDER “Decaf Frappuccino with almond milk.”

FAVORITE KIDS MOVIE The Incredibles.

DATE NIGHT “Early sushi with my husband.”

NOW READING “My latest book, The Queen’s Fortune.”

FAVORITE RESTAURANT Amaranth.21 East 62nd Street, New York NY

It often happens during bedtime when everyone wants me all at once. As a veteran mom of three, I do my best to ignore mom guilt and remind myself that if I don’t take the time for myself, the family won’t work.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RAISING YOUR KIDS IN NYC?

I love the access to culture, and I love how cultured my children are. They all love going to different museums and often beg to see new exhibits specifically at the Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt, and the Met. We try to take full advantage of Central Park every weekend at least twice.

HOW ARE YOU SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILY?

We only moved into our home two years ago and we had always hosted a tree trimming party before the move, but it’s been tricky with Covid. This year, we’re bringing our tree trimming party back and for the first time, it will be in our new home. I’m excited to host our closest friends and family and to return to this tradition.