Returning to Art Later in Life: The Painting That Reminded Me to Begin

In a quiet corner of my studio hangs the only acrylic painting my mother ever created. Surrounded by objects that bring comfort and memory, it reminds me that creativity is enduring and deeply rooted within us. Even during seasons when life asks for our full attention elsewhere, the instinct to create remains quietly present, waiting for the moment we are ready to welcome it forward.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 12, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

Styling a Place Setting Around a Single Antique Piece

An antique aqua and gold porcelain bowl anchors a layered place setting styled with linen, etched glass, and roses. A study in how antique and contemporary pieces can come together to create an elegant and thoughtful table.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 6, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

A Formal Table for Fifteen in a Small Washington Condominium

When fifteen friends gather in a small space, intention becomes essential. From layered greenery and French bistro flatware to a carefully paired menu, this evening reveals how creativity shapes atmosphere and memory.

Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyMarch 3, 2026intentional gathering, layered table design, creative entertainingComment

The Warmth of Becoming: The Climb That Shaped Me

For many years, my life was defined by the climb. Strength was rewarded. Softness was rarely acknowledged. I learned to endure, to lead, and to hold everything together. What I did not realize was how much of myself I had carefully kept within the lines. It was not until I stood before the turning sea and its fearless spectrum of color that I understood balance was not about dividing my time, but about reclaiming space to see myself clearly again.

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean

Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, I encountered a landscape defined by layered color, shifting current, and bold coastal contrast. What began as daily walks along the California cliffs became a season of creative clarity, restoring my eye for depth, structure, and disciplined observation.

Mixing Old and New: Designing a Blue and White Table That Feels Like Home

Learn how mixing old and new decor creates a blue-and-white table that feels layered, personal, and timeless. Discover how heirloom pieces and modern accents come together to design a table that truly feels like home.

Mary Madore-HickeyFebruary 18, 2026mix old and new decor, heirloom decor, layered tablescape, French inspired table setting, timeless table design, how to style a tablescape, layered table design, home decor inspiration, intentional gathering, gather with intention, intentional entertaining, heritage at the table, women gatheringComment

When Women Become the Village

Women often become the village through experience, awareness, and care. This essay reflects on creativity, heritage, and home as a place of restoration and return.

Women and BecomingMary Madore-HickeyFebruary 10, 2026creativity and women, intentional living, creative restoration, thoughtful living, editorial lifestyle writing, home as a place of restoration for women, creativity as a return to self, how women find balance through home, intentional living inspired by heritage, women and becoming, ambition and balance, personal evolutionComment

The Rise of Lived-In Beauty

Beauty feels different when it is lived with rather than preserved. In the return to antiques, natural linens, and hand-crafted materials, our homes are once again becoming places of warmth, memory, and belonging.

Women and Becoming, Home and DecorMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 26, 2026heritage decor, collected interiorsComment

A Valentine’s Season of Gathering, Design, and Intention

A thoughtfully curated collection of French-inspired Valentine’s Day gatherings, from brunches and intimate dinners to cocktails, desserts, and tables designed to linger.

Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 21, 2026gathering with intention, intentional entertaining, meaningful dinner party, friendship and community, celebration and meaningComment

Celebrating Valentine's Day with Cocktails, Chocolate, and Roses

A Valentine’s celebration centered around cocktails, chocolate, and roses, designed to create a romantic, indulgent atmosphere with thoughtful detail.

Gather with Intention, RecipesMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 21, 2026halter ranch vineyard, central coast vineyard, central coast wine tasting, Paso Robles wine tasting, Hygge Design, celebrating valentines day, cocktails for valentines day, Romantic Valentine’s ideas, Romantic gathering at home, seasonal recipes, dinner party recipe, gathering with intention, celebration with meaning

Valentine's Day Fondue Charcuterie Board

A Valentine’s Day fondue charcuterie board designed for gathering with friends, featuring chocolate, fruit, and thoughtful table details that make entertaining feel warm and intentional.

Galentine’s Day Party with Coffee, Raspberry Scones, and Linzer Cookies

Galentine’s Day table styling, Valentine’s entertaining ideas, raspberry scones, Linzer cookies, thoughtful gatherings, French-inspired table design.

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Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 19, 2026Galentine's Day Gathering, galentine's day celebration, Galentine's Day tablescape, Galentine's Day Party tips, heart shaped linzer cookies, gathering with intention, intentional entertaining, friendship and community, celebration with meaningComment

Love in Bloom: Designing an Intimate Valentine’s Day Table

An intimate Valentine’s Day table layered with roses, candlelight, and French-inspired details, designed to feel warm, personal, and quietly romantic.

Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyJanuary 14, 2026interior design beyond trends, Generation Change: What Our Daughters Are Now Seeking in the Corporate World, women's empowerment, empowerment, women in corporate america, what do women want in business, women in business, pride vs collaboration in interior design, competition in interior design, Ego doesn’t belong in interior design, mastering the art of communication in interior design, the art of communication in interior design, the art of listening in interior design, stop the competition in interior design, so you want to be a consultant, consulting, Love in Bloom: Designing an Intimate Valentine’s Day Table with Merze Lifestyle, Love in Bloom, Expert ideas for designing a valentines table, gather with intention, intentional entertaining, meaningful dinner party, friendship and community, tablescape design, layered interiorsComment

A Christmas Table Designed to Linger

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Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyDecember 29, 2025Living with imagination, Living with grace, Everyday beauty, Storytelling through design, Women and balance, French inspired lifestyle, tartan, Ralph Lauren Christmas, Tartan holiday tablescape, Elegant Christmas table decor, Classic holiday design, Red and gold holiday table, Romantic pink and gold Christmas, Moody tartan tablescape, Holiday design ideas 2025, Heritage-inspired Christmas, DIY holiday napkin ideas, Holiday entertaining inspiration, Reimagined traditional decor, Holiday centerpiece inspiration, Layered holiday table design, Connecticut Travel, Fall in New England, Litchfield Hills, Scenic Drive, scenic fall drive, Litchfield Hills Connecticut, Farmington River Trail, New Preston Falls, Connecticut travel, New England foliage, french lavender soap, organic soap from provence, natural french skincare, handmade soap provence, luxury organic soap, pure lavender cleansing bar, french country lifestyle, slow living inspiration, french artisan gifts, french holiday gifts, luxury holiday gifts, organic christmas gifts, spa inspired holiday gifts, holiday hostess gifts, elegant hostess gift ideas, handmade gifts from Provence, sustainable hostess gifts, French café Connecticut, Galette au sarrasin, Café au lait, French onion soup, Le Gamin Sharon CT, French heritage cuisine, Buckwheat crêpes ployes, Litchfield Hills dining, French inspired food travel, New England countryside café, Cozy café Connecticut, Heritage and food story, Simple French meals, quiet luxury tablescape, cream tablescape, traditional table setting, layered table design, sterling silver flatware, sterling silver flatware waterford crystal, modern classic table, heirloom table decor, neutral holiday tablescape, pantone color of the year 2026, subtle color tablescape, luxury table styling, textured table linens, floral centerpiece design, holiday table settings, traditional table settings, holiday entertaining, heirloom tableware, holiday tablescape ideas, classic holiday decor, elegant holiday entertaining, seasonal entertaining, refined entertaining, tablescape design, layered interiors, heritage decor, vintage chinda, vintage china, seasonal table settingComment

Quiet Grandeur Traditional Design

Home and Decor, Gather with IntentionMary Madore-HickeyDecember 8, 2025Living with imagination, Living with grace, Everyday beauty, Storytelling through design, Women and balance, French inspired lifestyle, tartan, Ralph Lauren Christmas, Tartan holiday tablescape, Elegant Christmas table decor, Classic holiday design, Red and gold holiday table, Romantic pink and gold Christmas, Moody tartan tablescape, Holiday design ideas 2025, Heritage-inspired Christmas, DIY holiday napkin ideas, Holiday entertaining inspiration, Reimagined traditional decor, Holiday centerpiece inspiration, Layered holiday table design, Connecticut Travel, Fall in New England, Litchfield Hills, Scenic Drive, scenic fall drive, Litchfield Hills Connecticut, Farmington River Trail, New Preston Falls, Connecticut travel, New England foliage, french lavender soap, organic soap from provence, natural french skincare, handmade soap provence, luxury organic soap, pure lavender cleansing bar, french country lifestyle, slow living inspiration, french artisan gifts, french holiday gifts, luxury holiday gifts, organic christmas gifts, spa inspired holiday gifts, holiday hostess gifts, elegant hostess gift ideas, handmade gifts from Provence, sustainable hostess gifts, French café Connecticut, Galette au sarrasin, Café au lait, French onion soup, Le Gamin Sharon CT, French heritage cuisine, Buckwheat crêpes ployes, Litchfield Hills dining, French inspired food travel, New England countryside café, Cozy café Connecticut, Heritage and food story, Simple French meals, quiet luxury tablescape, cream tablescape, traditional table setting, layered table design, sterling silver flatware, sterling silver flatware waterford crystal, modern classic table, heirloom table decor, neutral holiday tablescape, pantone color of the year 2026, subtle color tablescape, luxury table styling, textured table linens, floral centerpiece design, gathering with intention, tablescape design, seasonal tablesettingComment

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