By Mi-Ling Stone Poole –

Chapel Hill, N.C. Elizabeth Edwards’ Legacy includes her passion for design.

During the month of December I visited my daughter in the Raleigh -Durham area when on December 7 Elizabeth Edwards died.

The love and support she was shown by the folks of North Carolina upon her passing, for her good deeds, many charitable contributions, her work as an attorney and her public battle with breast cancer was heartwarming.

Many said they admired her because she refused to be the victim of breast cancer and infidelity after her husband, former U.S.  Sen. John Edwards admitted to having an affair which resulted in a child.

As a resident of Chapel Hill and a former graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Elizabeth Edwards gave back to the community and was touted as the force behind her husband’s political career.

What I didn’t know about her is that she had a passion for design, and in 2009 she opened a furniture store called the Red Window in Chapel Hill as a tribute to her late mother’s shop, the Red Door, a thrift store she started in 1950 while on the Marine base where they lived in Japan. 

Edwards’ shop, at 400 W. Rosemary Street., focuses on high- end furniture found at a deal and passed down to the customer. The store carries Highland House, Capel,   British Traditions and Chelsea House among others.

Before leaving North Carolina, I headed over to the 700 – square- foot shop to buy something for my home, but it was open by appointment only.  The windows were full of comfortable sofas and interesting tables, chairs and other accessories.  Red Drapes framed one window.  A note was posted stating new hours of operation. Just a few days before my visit reporters had been camped out at the Red Window.

The press reported that just prior to her death Edwards made sure her family home was fully decorated for the holidays even though she was nearing the end of her life.  I can only speculate that she felt these long standing family traditions would provide some comfort to her children upon her passing.

Although she will be missed, she left behind a legacy to her and her mother at the Red Window. And during the next few months her shop will continue to bring comfort to the community of Chapel Hill and a reminder of her passion for living to her family and friends.

What legacy would you like to leave behind?