Patient. Self-reliant. Selfless volunteer.
It’s a long way from sewing curtains on an apartment floor to becoming a successful interior designer. Just ask Lenore Pepper. She and “Eddie,” her husband of 65 years, are the power couple behind Edwin Pepper & Associates, a residential and interior design firm that was established in 1961.
Their story begins in high school, when Eddie proclaimed that he was going to marry Lenore, long before she even fell in love with him. At age 19, she walked down the aisle, taking the first step towards a lifelong marriage and career that she never anticipated.
“Eddie taught me everything,” explained Pepper, but it was her sewing skills that helped launch their first business out of a one-bedroom apartment, producing draperies and designing furniture. Today, the couple works with clients to create beautiful environments, each one proud of the other’s accomplishments.
Pepper’s three children and five grandchildren are the center of her life. Along the way, she served on boards for the Jewish Community Center, Logos School and Temple Israel, as well as working with the Jewish Federation, the Saint Louis Art Museum and St. Luke’s Hospital, among many others. In 2003, she was named a Woman of Achievement for Volunteer Leadership. Pepper is pleased to share what she’s learned about creating such a happy life that she “wouldn’t change a thing.”
Getting bullied was terrifying.
When I was 7 years old, a neighbor boy wanted to play with my toys, but I said, “No. You’re always mean to me and I don’t want to be friends.” Later, his parents came over, held my hands and feet, calling me, “Dirty Jew.” I didn’t tell my parents because I didn’t want them to think I was dirty. I just sat on the front steps crying.
My parents showed us what it meant to be giving.
My parents were very loving and helped people whenever possible. During World War II, my dad would pick up soldiers off the street and bring them home for dinner. Afterwards, he’d slip money in their pockets, even though things were tight. In fact, mother would pawn her jewelry when we needed something, or when I coveted some prized possession like a Betsy Wetsy doll.
There’s a right and a wrong in life.
I worked at Garland’s – a fashion store downtown – because they paid for me to go to college at night. There was a clerk who was having a hard time making ends meet. So, I offered to let her take credit for my sales. I was called to the office to explain why I wanted to help her and was told, “We don’t allow that.” So, I quit right on the spot!
I tell clients the truth.
If I don’t like a client’s house, I try to point out what’s good about it, but what would be better. I’m going to explain the difference between what you like now and what you won’t like after a while. For young clients, I tell them to buy one good thing at a time. Go for quality because it increases in value and brings you joy.
I never thought about a career… it just happened.
My husband started a business from our one-bedroom apartment and when he went into the service, I decided to keep it going. He designed furniture and I made drapes. The business grew organically. But I always remembered my mother telling me, “You can do whatever you want, just have confidence.” We had to build the business ourselves and take care of our parents. And if someone needed help, we gave it.
I have a passion for design and the happiness it brings.
Good design should reflect the people who live there. For clients, we build an environment that makes them proud. That makes them feel good, and it makes me feel good that I made somebody’s life happier. What could be better than that?
Pull yourself up by your boot straps and start marching.
There isn’t anything so horrible that you can’t get through it. Our house burned down and we lost everything. We needed clothes, furniture, dishes…everything. But Eddie brought me a beautiful gold bracelet. I thought it was extravagant because we had to buy the basics. And he said, “Sometimes people need food for the soul more than food for the body.”
