Home Tour | Mara Silber's Stylish Bedford Home

Interior designer Mara Silber focuses on clean lines and layered neutrals when approaching the design of a space—creating a dynamic design that evolves with her clients over time. When renovating her Bedford, NY home with an expanding family, she aimed for a warm, practical, and family-friendly design that didn’t sacrifice the distinct style and design-forward luxury that drives her as a designer.

Pictured above: The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen, The Hudson Daybed in Dusk Merino (email us to custom order this fabric combination) and The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman in Stone Tribeca Leather with Greywash finish.

Pictured above: The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen and The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman in Stone Tribeca Leather with Greywash finish.

We chatted with Mara about her overall approach to design, her recent renovations, and what's inspiring her as of late.

I’ve always been interested in design and fashion, so naturally I gravitated toward jobs in college that focused on both in some capacity. I got a taste of a number of different companies and industries before I settled into interior design. It was on one of my first design projects that it all clicked and I realized how impactful it was to create someone’s permanent retreat and living space. At the same time, a home can—and often will—endure multiple stages of a client’s life and I also love the balance of creating a dynamic space that can evolve with them.

Our house was a total fixer-upper. My husband always jokes that only a designer could have seen a house in the state it was in and still fall in love — but I did the moment I walked inside! It’s a mid-century modern ranch with an open floor plan and large windows, which adds a ton of natural light. My design aesthetic focuses on simplicity: clean lines and layered neutrals. I was pregnant with our first child when we were renovating the house, so I knew the design had to be warm, practical, and unpretentious enough for a young family to live in. At the same time, I did not want to compromise on the distinct style of design-driven luxury I’ve used throughout my career. We just welcomed our second child in October of last year, so this balance of function and design is really being put to the test!

Pictured above: The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen, The Hudson Daybed in Dusk Merino (email to custom order this fabric combination) and The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman in Stone Tribeca Leather with Greywash finish.

Pictured above: The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen and The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman in Stone Tribeca Leather with Greywash finish.

With two kids and two working parents, our house is always in motion. What I love about our open floor plan is that we can spread out as we need, while still always being able to keep an eye on the kids. Knowing we’re spending so much of our day at home, it’s been especially important to optimize space for function, without compromising style, comfort, or quality. This is such a unique time for all of us, so while it can be a bit overwhelming, Maiden Home has really helped make it possible to have it all. I’m proud to have helped create a safe, comfortable and beautiful environment for all of us during such a turbulent time.

In addition to a growing family, my parents and in-laws are always visiting (safely, of course!). The great room is the largest portion of the house, so it was important that the space be multifunctional and include plenty of storage, comfortable seating, and natural light.

Pictured above: The Hudson Daybed in Dusk Merino (email us to custom order this fabric combination)

The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen is the sofa of my dreams! Its perfect proportions, tailored details, and timeless design make it super versatile—not to mention it’s incredibly durable. It’s such a relief to have a Performance-backed material on the sofa with two little kids. It’s the kind of sectional you can hang out on all day (and we do, trust me) and the cushions still look full and fluffed. It’s comfortable, it’s elegant, and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a sofa.

The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman really brings our great room together. Its clean lines and modern design add a touch of subtle elegance to the space, and the movable table overlay is effortlessly functional—perfect for hosting or hanging. The Bowery's table is finished to protect against daily wear (think: water stains and drink marks) so I don’t have to worry when I see a glass missing its coaster. The Bowery is also offered in a ton of fabric and leather options, so I was able to completely customize the piece to fit the space perfectly!

The Hudson Daybed is such a perfect accent piece for my open concept living space. With its silhouette and sophisticated mid-century design, the Hudson gives a refined look without compromising on comfort. I often find myself admiring the craftsmanship on this piece—the hand-wrought steel frame is so sleek and elegant. When customizing the daybed, I opted for Dusk Merino on both cushions for a chic, monochromatic look.

Pictured above: The Thompson Bed in Polar Performance Boucle with Natural Ash finish and The Hayes Chair in Snow Hair on Hide with Beech finish.

I was 8 months pregnant when my pieces arrived, so needless to say Maiden Home’s White Glove Delivery service just about saved my life—I think I collapsed into the sectional for a nap as soon as the team finished up! It was reassuring to work with a customer service team throughout the process. They were very high touch and shared my mentality of never compromising on style, quality, and comfort. I’m sure I sound like a broken record when it comes to comfort and functionality, but it’s rare to find furniture that provide both—I’ve spent the majority of my career searching for quality pieces like these!

While I think we can all agree that this past year didn’t unfold as planned, I’m so grateful to have found the perfect pieces to make our extra time at home feel comfortable and safe. Whether we’re watching TV (for more hours than I’d like to admit) or FaceTiming with family & friends, everyone has their favorite spot on the sofa!

The design-driven silhouettes and customization options are what initially attracted me to Maiden Home, but the quality and consistent customer service has made me a forever customer! As any designer will tell you, we’re always inundated with questions from friends and family about their own homes, so I’m constantly recommending Maiden Home—thankfully, due to the customization options, I never have to worry about seeing my furniture in someone else’s living room. I feel confident sourcing from Maiden Home for timeless investment pieces that grow with you. They’re versatile and withstand trends.

Pictured above: The Crosby Sectional in Midnight Performance Velvet

Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but I’ve been really into moody, textured spaces lately. In particular, as the months grow colder, I’m craving comfort with luxe fabrics, plush seating, and neutral colors. As my clients spend more time at home, they’re seeing their living spaces from a different perspective. They’re looking for comfortable, classic pieces to invest in that they’ll have for years to come. I often find a lot of inspiration in my travels, so I’m hopeful I can safely visit some new regions in the coming months!

South Africa: My family has always had a love for Africa, South Africa in particular. My husband and I went on our honeymoon there. The people are so warm and inviting, which is definitely a pleasant departure from New York! We weren’t able to access WiFi while we were on safari earlier in the trip, and decided to keep our phones tucked away even after we landed in Cape Town. It gave us a new understanding of feeling present!

Marfa, TX: It is so much more than just “the town closest to that empty Prada store”. Located in a remote corner of Texas, Marfa is a modern art outpost featuring Donald Judd’s Block residence, The Chinati Foundation, and a collection of charming galleries and storefronts like Exhibitions 2D and Mirth Marfa. When in town, ask for Ranch Water.

Amangiri, Utah: While I haven’t visited Amangiri yet, it’s at the top of my list. My husband is an outdoorsman and loves exploring the American West, so I think this will be the perfect destination for both of us to explore, relax, and disconnect. The accommodations are incredibly sleek and minimal with a touch of desert flair, so I know it’ll be the most luxurious escape once we’re able to travel!

Mara's great room features The Warren Sectional in Putty Performance Linen, The Hudson Daybed in Dusk Merino (email us to custom order this fabric combination) and The Bowery Coffee Table Ottoman in Stone Tribeca Leather with Greywash finish. Design your ideal room layout with our Design Advisors—from space planning to furniture placement—we're here to help. Send us an email or give us a call at (888) 513-5754 to start the process with your dedicated Design Advisor.

Order your complimentary swatch kit with materials that Mara used in her home refresh—including Putty Performance Linen, Dusk Merino, Stone Tribeca Leather, Polar Performance Bouclé, and Flannel Performance Velvet to start your own home refresh for the season.