May 2023 Featured Interview
Mother-Daughter Interior Design Team Makes the Most of
Mutual Talents and Interests
Interview with
Sherica Maynard
Creative Director and Lead Interior Designer of Interior Design By S&S
Sherica Maynard
Photo Courtesy: Interior Design By S&S
Photo Courtesy: Interior Design By S&S
About Sherica:
Sherica Maynard was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in Lithonia, Georgia. Architecture and design had always been a big influence in her life. At the age of 18, she moved to New York to pursue her modeling career. Fashion shows and photoshoots took Sherica around the world to places like Milan, Poland, Cape Town, and all over the Caribbean islands. Her international modeling career eventually landed her placements in Marie Claire, Essence, Cosmopolitan, and a winning season on Project Runway. This unique design exposure gave her an unparalleled advantage within the luxury interior design community.
While in New York, Sherica earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Design from The New School/Parsons School of Design. Ten years later, she moved back to Atlanta where she joined her mother, Sharon Falcher, as an interior designer, founding Interior Design By S&S.
Sherica Maynard was born in Toronto, Canada, and grew up in Lithonia, Georgia. Architecture and design had always been a big influence in her life. At the age of 18, she moved to New York to pursue her modeling career. Fashion shows and photoshoots took Sherica around the world to places like Milan, Poland, Cape Town, and all over the Caribbean islands. Her international modeling career eventually landed her placements in Marie Claire, Essence, Cosmopolitan, and a winning season on Project Runway. This unique design exposure gave her an unparalleled advantage within the luxury interior design community.
While in New York, Sherica earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural Design from The New School/Parsons School of Design. Ten years later, she moved back to Atlanta where she joined her mother, Sharon Falcher, as an interior designer, founding Interior Design By S&S.
About Sharon (Sherica’s Business Partner and Mother):
Owner and principal interior designer of Interior Design By S&S, Sharon Falcher has worked in the interior design industry for more than 20 years. She was born on the island of Trinidad and grew up in Toronto, Canada. Growing up surrounded by a creative family gave Sharon a creative eye for design and provided access to a wide range of high-end textiles, fabrication and construction that undoubtedly influenced her decision to become an interior designer.
In 1992, Sharon migrated to Lithonia, Georgia. With her knowledge of textiles and fabrication, she worked for a local interior designer fabricating window treatments. Later, she started a window treatment fabrication workroom, then added design consulting to her resume in 1996. She attended The Custom Home Furnishing School in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and after many years in business, she went back to school to earn a degree in interior design. She then worked at an interior design franchise and, after nine months, began her own franchise. After running a franchise for several years, Sharon and her daughter, Sherica, opened their independent interior design firm, Interior Design By S&S.
Owner and principal interior designer of Interior Design By S&S, Sharon Falcher has worked in the interior design industry for more than 20 years. She was born on the island of Trinidad and grew up in Toronto, Canada. Growing up surrounded by a creative family gave Sharon a creative eye for design and provided access to a wide range of high-end textiles, fabrication and construction that undoubtedly influenced her decision to become an interior designer.
In 1992, Sharon migrated to Lithonia, Georgia. With her knowledge of textiles and fabrication, she worked for a local interior designer fabricating window treatments. Later, she started a window treatment fabrication workroom, then added design consulting to her resume in 1996. She attended The Custom Home Furnishing School in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and after many years in business, she went back to school to earn a degree in interior design. She then worked at an interior design franchise and, after nine months, began her own franchise. After running a franchise for several years, Sharon and her daughter, Sherica, opened their independent interior design firm, Interior Design By S&S.
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About Interior Design By S&S: Sharon & Sherica are the award-winning, luxury interior designers behind Interior Design By S&S. Their signature aesthetic is, “Livable Luxury” which has led to noteworthy features in MyDomaine, Apartment Therapy and Modern Luxury Magazine. They are a mother-daughter team that has over 30 years of combined experience. Their curated designs allude to a mixture of comfort, quality and a streamlined process. They have a passion for serving their clients who range from high profile professionals to families within the Atlanta, Georgia area. Exclusive industry resources, charming hospitality, and a timeless design approach to each project are the roots of each design. |
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Karen Shan, co-associate editor, spoke with Sherica about how she and her mother established their business and what it’s like to be part of a mother-daughter company.
How did you and your mother come to establish your firm, Interior Design By S&S?
I moved back to Atlanta from New York in 2016 to work with my mom (Sharon Falcher) and partner with her in her interior design firm. Sharon was previously with a franchise interior design firm. In 2020, we decided to challenge ourselves to the next level, and that's when "Interior Design By S&S" was born.
Can you tell us about the firm and what it offers?
We are a full-service interior design firm. We do everything from new builds all the way to laying the last pillow on a sofa. This consists of floor plan review, renovation, and full-service interior design services: design concept and presentation, ordering, tracking, receiving, inspection, assembly, installation and styling.
How did you and your mother come to establish your firm, Interior Design By S&S?
I moved back to Atlanta from New York in 2016 to work with my mom (Sharon Falcher) and partner with her in her interior design firm. Sharon was previously with a franchise interior design firm. In 2020, we decided to challenge ourselves to the next level, and that's when "Interior Design By S&S" was born.
Can you tell us about the firm and what it offers?
We are a full-service interior design firm. We do everything from new builds all the way to laying the last pillow on a sofa. This consists of floor plan review, renovation, and full-service interior design services: design concept and presentation, ordering, tracking, receiving, inspection, assembly, installation and styling.
Did either of you have any experience in running a business before establishing your firm?
Sharon had several businesses prior, including a lingerie store in Toronto, Canada, so she was familiar with the inner workings of a business.
Sharon had several businesses prior, including a lingerie store in Toronto, Canada, so she was familiar with the inner workings of a business.
Sharon Falcher
Photo Courtesy: Interior Design By S&S |
Did you create a business plan together? How did you decide who would do what?
Yes, we came up with the concept and brand of "IDBYSNS" (Interior Design By S&S) together. Our roles are very similar. Sharon is the big boss, so she's more involved with the money and logistics; but I'm the mini boss, so I have input in those areas as well. We both are the main firm designers where we collaborate on big projects, but we have our own individual clients as well. What are some of the positive aspects - for both you and your mom – about working together with someone you also have a close personal relationship with? We love to have a dependable partner. We can always rely on each other, and that's a very comforting feeling when running a business. It’s great to have someone to bounce ideas off of during our design process. What are some of the challenges? In the beginning, there were some adjustments because our roles as parent and child would often clash [with our roles] as colleagues. But we quickly worked out those kinks and now have clear boundaries. |
How do your separate skill sets support each other and the business – yours in architecture, design and modeling and your mother’s in fabrics and design?
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My education in architectural design has helped me with layout, function and practicality within the space. [My modeling background] has helped me with our public relations, because in modeling your image is everything, and you’re constantly visible, whether in magazines or on the runway. So, in the same manner, it was very important that our brand image was very clean yet relatable, because we are constantly being seen in the press through articles and features and/or at events.
What Sherica loves most about interior design is her ability to change someone’s life. Whatever the space may be – residential or commercial – Sherica loves transforming spaces to feel peaceful, comfortable and inviting, with a touch of edge of course. |
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Sharon's knowledge of textiles has allowed us to be well-versed in texture play and unique fabrication use. Although Sharon did not go to school for architecture [and didn’t complete her design degree until she had years of professional experience], she was always very knowledgeable of structure and space planning. She understands flow and livability along with the inner working of interior structures.
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What Sharon loves most about being an interior designer is her ability to work with many different people and help them achieve their personal style that reflects their individual likes, values and culture. |
What advice would you give other mothers and daughters who are considering going into business together?
Establish boundaries early on. Understand how to leave the family titles at the door when you enter a workplace environment.
Where do you find sanctuary? Your mom?
We both find sanctuary/peace in the morning during our quiet time with God. During this time, we are restored and ready to take on the day.
