This feature is in our March '24 "Next Wave" Issue. Click here to subscribe.

From the wallpaper to the vibrant art, the entry of this Smyrna, Ga., home was full of charisma. PHOTO BY SCOTT JOHNSON

In 2024, Interior Design by S&S is elevating its offerings with expanded vendors, new construction consulting services and a home decor product line, S&S Studios. The launch includes mix-and-match feather-down pillows in 24 colors and patterns to infuse any space with character.

This Atlanta-based mother-daughter design team brings expertise in assessing layouts and interior design for maximizing functionality and connections between spaces. Their signature “Livable Luxury” style delivers lavish quality infused with practicality, and the experience begins with understanding each client’s lifestyle, desires and dreams.

Sherica Maynard and Sharon Falcher, the dynamic mother-daughter duo at Interior Design by S&S PHOTO BY RASHUN/FOCUS MINDED PHOTO

At the heart of it all is a shared passion between co-founders Sharon Falcher and Sherica Maynard. Though their tastes slightly differ—dating shows vs. cooking competitions—their commitment brings clients’ visions to life with grace and understanding. Here, we ask the dynamic duo to share how they create homes as unique as the people within them.

How does your mother-daughter dynamic benefit your work style?

SM: Working with family is no easy task and was not for us in the beginning since I had just returned home to Atlanta after living in New York for 10 years. I think it was hard for Sharon to understand the parent/ boss role and the difference between the two. Even today, it’s ‘Sharon’ at work and ‘Mom’ outside of work. For people working with parents, this is a good tip to mentally differentiate that the person you address at work and the person you address outside of work are two different people. Now, we are moving like a well-oiled machine. The benefit is having someone you can trust and comfort, knowing that we are pushing toward the same mission and goals and equally committed to our company. It’s great working with someone else who values what is being built just as much as you do.

The entertainment space in this Buckhead home in Atlanta was designed with pops of color and an edgy, sophisticated vibe. PHOTO BY SCOTT JOHNSON

Can you go into more detail about how you achieve “livable luxury” with clients?

SF: Our No. 1 request from clients is always a comfy space with functionality and style. With our signature style of Livable Luxury, we ensure they don’t have to choose one or the other because, with our experience, they can have it all. Livable Luxury means executing a livable space that still delivers luxury quality and experience. When it comes to livability, we must first understand the client’s lifestyle. Once we get to know the lifestyle of the client, we can assess necessary material choices and layouts and understand how to connect our client’s desired emotions/ feelings to the space (this means, do you go to this space to relax, do you go to another to feel inspired).

The luxury aspect comes in two areas: the quality and the experience during the process. We do a lot of research and invest a lot of time to make sure that we have an expansive vendor list that can accommodate our clients’ needs. Along with product quality, we offer a luxury service, and for us, that means delivering ‘Full Service.’ Our clients can go about their lives without having to deal with all the moving parts, from ordering to styling. … We offer our clients the luxury of taking the back seat while we do the long-distance driving.

the “edgy meets feminine” vibe continued in the living space of the Buckhead home. PHOTO BY SCOTT JOHNSON

What design trends are you looking forward to trying in 2024?

SM: I won’t say that there’s a specific trend. Every year, we are always open to pushing the boundary, whether that is with a specific design element or using a color combination that we have never explored before, but it is always our goal to push the next project further than we did the last.

A horn-inspired graphic wallpaper PHOTO BY SCOTT JOHNSON

Tell us about your new construction design consulting services.

SM: We’ve been wanting to move into the build space for a while. Sharon is a beast at layouts and space planning, and I have my BFA in architectural design from Parsons: The New School in NYC, so I have an innate love for material selections and architecture. We met a builder on-site at a client’s home, and he asked if we’d look at the plans for a $7 million modern home that he was about to break ground on. So, we came in as design consultants on this project. We are now about a month and a half to completion and we really love what we all created—truly a beauty.

“THE BENEFIT OF WORKING WITH MY MOM IS HAVING SOMEONE YOU CAN TRUST AND COMFORT, KNOWING THAT WE ARE PUSHING
TOWARD THE SAME MISSION AND GOALS ANDEQUALLY COMMITTED TO OUR COMPANY.” –SHERICA MAYNARD

Many don’t fully understand the benefits that an interior designer brings to the very beginning stages of a new-build project. This service, when working with a developer, allows them to get a different perspective on how the home will actually function once the homeowner moves in, and stops them from making practical mistakes.

This primary bedroom suite in Brookhaven, Ga., makes a statement with a pattern-on-pattern moment with the wallpaper and custom headboard. PHOTO BY SCOTT JOHNSON

What was the inspiration behind the launch of your pillow line?

SF: Our goal was to create a product line. A ‘home apparel’ line has always been our long-term dream because this would allow everyone to have a little piece of S&S in their home. We had to figure out the right product to start with. We needed something small that everyone owns... pillows! We decided to launch 24 colors and patterns with a mix-and-match collection so that you can make every combination customizable to fit the vibe that you’re feeling at the moment.

What is up next for S&S?

SF: We have three home fragrances launching this spring. Arabian Sunset is our signature scent inspired by our travels to Dubai. … All the fragrances that we smelled while there exuded luxury, and this scent has that same vibe with a blend of wild rosemary, amber, eucalyptus. It’s sexy, it’s unisex and it definitely sets the mood.

After a long workday, what do you like to do to unwind?

SF: Binge-watching a dating show, my favorite being 90 Day Fiancé, or watching action movies.

SM: Spend time with my husband. We also watch some dating shows; my favorite is Love Is Blind (I was never really a fan of dating reality shows, but my mom put me on to this one!) or a cooking competition show; right now, it’s Hell’s Kitchen—we love Gordon Ramsay!