Growing up as the only child of an artist specializing in watercolor, Mary Charles Smith developed an appreciation for art and architecture at an early age. With lively critique discussions between artists in her home, Mary Charles learned the importance of value, scale, composition and color through osmosis. In 2008, she left the worlds of Advertising and Real Estate Development to pursue her love of whimsical, colorful interiors and architecture.

“Summer vacations were spent strolling through sunlit historical districts, peering into secret gardens and alleyways delighting in the architectural details of grand old homes.”

A graduate of Meredith College, and Interior Design professional, Smith created May I Suggest in response to designs “gone wrong”. Realizing that good design is functional, beautiful, and cohesive, Mary Charles has often toyed with the idea of leaving homeowners notes starting with, “May I Suggest...”