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Home › Mom of the Month

Cortney Novogratz

By Shannon McKelden

Each month, iParenting.com spotlights a mother who inspires and moves us, who embodies the qualities that we all admire in a person, a woman and a mother. Above all, the Mom of the Month is dedicated to her children. Rich or poor, famous or not, she shines as an example of what mothering is all about.

In the last 12 years, Cortney Novogratz, along with her husband, Robert, have purchased somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 rundown buildings in New York City – one a former gun shop riddled with its very own bullet holes – and turned them into eclectic works of art worth millions. They've traveled the world in search of just the right touches of wrought iron sculpture and visited local flea markets for cast-off stained glass windows or the perfect mantel clock to complement the cheerful yet practical designs they create in each of their homes, which they often live in before selling.

Did I mention they did this all while raising six, now almost seven, kids?

When Cortney and Robert met at a party in North Carolina 16 years ago, it was love at first sight. The couple bought their first dilapidated, condemned townhouse in Manhattan in 1996 and set to work. "Even though we had no formal training, we put every cent we had into rehabbing it and actually did a pretty good job," says Novogratz. "It was a real challenge, but a lot of fun, and it made us realize that this is what we love to do, and we decided to keep doing it."

Business and Babies

And keep doing it they have. During the time they started building their family, they also built a business along with it. Sixx Design was named for their children, including son Wolfie, 11; twin girls, Tallulah and Bellamy, 10; son Breaker, 8; and twin boys, Five and Holleder – with a new baby whose sex is still a surprise (due in February 2009).

"[The children] are all very different from each other and we raise each of them as individuals," says Novogratz, who calls her kids her passion. "With this many kids, we see it all! One kid is a gifted athlete, another one hates sports. Some of the children are strong students while others really struggle. One has a huge personality and one is very shy; it's all a pretty amazing experience!"

You'd never expect this very suburban-like family, who can often be found playing basketball on their rooftop court, to be living a block from Little Italy and Chinatown, surrounded by homes owned by supermodels and movie stars. They're just too down-to-earth to seem at home in the heart of Manhattan, and yet they are.

Novogratz lives like any other mom, juggling family and business, up at 6:30 a.m., shuttling kids to school, then spending the day with her husband, meeting with contractors, magazine editors and dealing with business. After school brings sports and cheerleading practices, then family dinner and evening wind-down time. "It's a lot to pack into a day," Novogratz says. "But we love it! I guess we are what you might call energetic types."

Making Business a Family Affair

The Novogratz's biggest priority is their family. One of the ways they make sure their kids feel part of their extremely busy lives and successful business is by getting them involved.

The buildings they buy and renovate these days are all done with kids in mind. Very often the family lives in the homes they design before they are sold, turning them into a kind of testing ground. "We love designing family spaces," Novogratz says. "Homes are meant to be lived in, so it is mandatory that we find kid-friendly ways of creating great design. Having so many children has taught us how things function and what is important to family life at home."

Some of the ways in which they keep things practical is making sure the paint they use on their colorful walls is washable, and that most of their furniture is slip-covered.

Keeping close with their kids by involving them in the business is important to the Novogratzes also. "We do a lot of meetings and interviews at our kitchen table while the kids are in school," she says.

They also take the kids with them when they travel, exposing them to the rich world of art shows, flea markets, antique stores and even jobs, involving them as much as possible in designing their homes.

Once they sell a home, the family moves on to the next project, taking it from neglected to loved. "We do move often, but the kids stay in the same school, so that is a really stabilizing influence," Novogratz says. "They actually love the new experiences and we try to make it exciting for them. I think they catch on to our enthusiasm for a new project. We both feel that having the ability to adapt to change and constantly meet new people (and get along with them) makes for successful human beings. Also, it has helped us to teach the kids the belongings are only things, and that the important things in life go with you when you move – your family!"

Remembering Couple Time

Though they work together every day and spend time with their growing family, Novogratz and her husband remember to take time for each other. "We love to sneak out to go to the movies," she says. "We have dinner alone together once a week, and every year we go to Art Basel in Miami without the kids, just for us time."

And while, for now, their job sites are close to home, they anticipate travel in the future. "Robert and I have been offered jobs all over the world, but we haven't taken any of those yet," she says. "Maybe when the kids get a little older!"

Home Design on a Budget

"The most stylish places I have ever seen are the ones on a tight budget," says Cortney Novogratz. "You don't have to have a lot of money to be creative. You just have to have a good eye and a sense of adventure."

Ever willing to share her special touch of creating beauty in any home, Novogratz has co-authored with her husband, Robert, a new book to come out in April 2009. Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home: from Wreck to Ravishing (Rizzoli, 2009) is both practical and inspirational and will contain tips and ideas gathered from 10 of their projects.

"Places like Ikea, Target and Home Depot have amazing deals on really cool stuff, and I would say to those moms out there, don't go with the same old thing!" Novogratz says. "Try to shake it up a bit and do something different. Not everything works, but it's fun trying."

She suggests dealing with clutter first, which will make your space seem larger. Then hang out at flea markets and garage sales to pick up one-of-a-kind pieces. "Sometimes, the coolest pieces we've gotten have been inexpensive and picked up in the most unlikely places," she says. "You just never know what you will find and where, and that makes the whole hunt so much fun!"

Super Mom Tips

With almost seven kids, Cortney Novogratz has lots of experience with pregnancy of both singles and multiples! Here are her pregnancy tips:

  • Listen to what your body is telling you. "If you need to eat, rest or whatever, do it."
  • Don't feel you have to do everything by the book. "Women were having healthy babies before Lamaze classes!"
  • Do what seems right for you, as long as it is safe.
  • Don't eat more than you can lift. "I heard that one from Miss Piggy!"

"As for being pregnant and having six kids already, I just appreciate them every day and count my blessings," she says. "But that's me. Not everybody is cut out to be a mom to seven kids, so everybody should do what is right for them."



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