Meet Margaret Francis, our Director of Wall Décor and Outdoor Living.

Making art is a little bit like breathing for Margaret Francis. She’s simply got to do both.

Art has been an essential part of her life since she can remember; learning to use her mother’s vintage sewing machine at age six is one of her fondest memories. Because she’s responsible for curating Ethan Allen’s art offerings and developing our Home & Garden program, art invigorates her every day.

Margaret is coming up on her one-year anniversary at EA, having moved here last summer from Chicago with her husband, Tedd, an architect who grew up in the Midwest, and their children: Kate, 4, and James, 3. They live in a townhouse that she describes as “eclectic with midcentury notes.” It’s not far from where Margaret grew up. She’s a creative and clever maker who enjoys sewing, quilting, framing art, and felting—as busy as she is. Ask her to tell you the coolest thing she’s ever made and she’ll say it’s her two kids.

Margaret took a roundabout route from Boston University, where she earned degrees in psychology and women’s studies, to product development and merchandising, but she concedes she learned something every step of the way. (At one point she considered becoming a marine biologist but says taking chemistry was the game changer.)

After graduating, she did a little of everything—from working as a house mother for students at the St. Thomas Choir School in New York City to handling client services for a financial software company. Frustrated, she finally saw a career counselor, took a battery of tests, and was told unequivocally that she should study industrial design.

Margaret earned a master’s degree—in industrial design—from Pratt Institute three years later, and she took off on the career path that eventually led her to Ethan Allen. She worked in retail for more than ten years, where she especially enjoyed collaborating on home and garden merchandise and seasonal categories.

Because she has both a good eye and an understanding of the art marketplace, her position at EA is a perfect fit. Our art program is multifaceted—from custom framed and exclusive prints to sculptural and dimensional work—with so many opportunities for Margaret to put her stamp on it. She’s very skilled at choosing mats, frames, and details, so there’s no doubt that she’ll showcase each work in the best possible way.

And because she appreciates form and function, developing outdoor living ideas taps into her affinity for problem solving.

Keen to bring fresh ideas to the Home & Garden category, Margaret hit the ground running. She researched the market extensively and attended trade shows, looking for ways to “move the Ethan Allen needle” toward a more transitional and modern look, without overlooking our clients with more traditional tastes.

Some of Margaret’s additions include color-coordinated fabrics from Sunbrella for long-lasting beauty; mix-and-match pillows; umbrellas in two shapes; and rugs that look and feel fab underfoot. Two new furniture groups (coming later this summer) will showcase the trend toward bridging indoor and outdoor spaces; look for weathered teak and elegant resin wicker, both with timeless indoor appeal.

Along with versatility, quality, and durability, Margaret (ever the industrial designer) was determined that our new outdoor furniture would feel as good as it looks. One of her first directives: “Make me a more comfortable cushion!”