Designer, mother, and NFL wife adds entrepreneurship to the rustic-luxe mix
Portrait by Rachel Pressley
At this point, Mercedes Cotchery barely has a moment to take a breath — but it appears she wouldn’t have it any other way. The über-focused wife of former NFL wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery is the mother of five, an enthusiastic Christian, and owner of Design Avenue in Fletcher. She thrives on meeting her ambitious goals and living a faithful, focused life.
Cotchery was raised mostly in Eastern North Carolina, but born in Bermuda (her dad was in the military). There weren’t any official designers in the family, though her mother had great homemaking instincts. “I grew up in humble surroundings, but my mother, an incredibly kind and gentle woman, knew how to do a lot with a little; she was also a great organizer, which is critical to creating a pleasing environment,” shares Cotchery.
The Cotcherys met as students at North Carolina State University and married 15 years ago, the day after Jerricho’s graduation. He played for the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Carolina Panthers during his career, which led them to set up homes in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and back in North Carolina. Though Mercedes’ business is in Fletcher, their current home base is still Charlotte — Jerricho is now the assistant wide-receivers coach for the Panthers.
She paused recently to reflect on how she maintains balance.
Did your work on your own residences put you on the path to design?
I was exposed to lots of creative people up North, and we did a light renovation on our 1906 historic home in Pennsylvania. It’s cold there, so I tasked myself with creating a warm, comfortable outdoor space where the kids could play. That meant creating a plan with features like stone benches and a fire pit. It became very important to me that each of our homes was comfortable and beautiful before we moved in. I wanted my family to feel welcome from day one, not like nomads. Then I did some casual projects for friends and my work grew from there.
So the more design projects you got under your belt, the more you could imagine it as a career?
Yes. When Jerricho retired [from playing], we talked about business-ownership ideas and worked with an acquisitions-and-mergers firm. Design Avenue came up on my radar, we came to investigate, and met the previous owner, Jackie Teague.
Was that an important connection?
It was. Even though she and I were at different places in life, we hit it off. We ended up acquiring Design Avenue last September. I marveled at how Jerricho got to do what he loved — football. Now this work is that for me.
What does Design Avenue offer?
We have high-quality American-made furniture, rugs, and lighting that suits a broad range of tastes, at reasonable prices. I offer design services, and my aim is to help people live graciously in their homes.
Where do you start with a client?
I get inspired by looking at the client’s property or new construction plan and learning about their aesthetic. I give clients design boards so they can see what we’re building. I create a design plan that’s specifically tailored to them, never cookie cutter. The most significant focal piece is where I build from, usually the sofa. I also love what comes next: accessorizing, the finishing touches.
Any job that took on a surprising twist?
Recently I ordered an entry table and chair for a Texas client, but the table was better suited for the living room. I’d ordered an extra living room end table which my store manager, Tracy Casey, waxed and distressed. We didn’t know how it would end up, but it worked perfectly with the foyer painting and chair frame, and the client loved it!
You make the trek from Charlotte to the store 2-3 times a week. Wow!
It sounds crazy, but I love it. Tracy and I work incredibly well together. During the drive, I pray and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
What’s your own home like?
We live in a Craftsman-style home. My taste is rustic luxe — a little French Country, but with bold color and fabulous textures and finishes. I’ll put rustic wooden candleholders next to a golden vessel on a table, for example. I love rich colored velvet pieces, too, and that’s what our sofa is. Two tables in front of the sofa have tufted ottomans underneath them; I need high-functioning pieces. In my own and my clients’ homes, I try to create timeless spaces, but I’ll also mix in a bit of trendiness, without overdoing it.
You do all this while homeschooling five kids, tending your household, and building “PheMom,” your inspirational parenting, marriage, and lifestyle blog? Whew!
Jerricho’s hands-on; I don’t do it alone by any means. Football has been the catalyst for what our life is now, and all the wonderful things that have happened for us are definitely by the grace of God.
Design Avenue Home Furnishings, 3 Design Ave., Fletcher, 828-687-3690, design-avenue-asheville.com. For more information about Mercedes Cotchery, see mercedes-cotchery.com.