Four Hills Village in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is known for its luxury homes and owners with "discriminating taste." These architect-designed homes started construction in 1959 and were decorated with great care to match the quality craftsmanship. During this time, one expert interior designer stood out for her impeccable taste, Modesta Comeford.

Modesta Comeford's story began in Wisconsin, where she grew up and attended White Waters State Teachers College for her B.A. and the University of Wisconsin for her M.A. before completing two years of law school. She moved to Albuquerque at the beginning of her career and worked as the in-house design consultant for Builder’s Furniture Co. on South Girard in the 1940s. In 1948, she and her husband, Joe, opened their own furniture and interior design firm, Modesta’s Maple Shop, later called Designs by Modesta. The showroom was located at 108 Vassar, a building that still stands today. Throughout the early 1950s, she designed interiors for several home builders, including Dale Bellamah, and earned a reputation for her impeccable taste.

First design job with Builder’s Furniture Company. Albuquerque Tribune. September 28, 1949, page 6

Dale Bellamah home furnished by Modesta’s Maple Shop. Albuquerque Journal. October 3, 1953 page 20

The location of Modesta’s Nob Hills showroom. 108 Vassar S.E. in January 2023

Mossman-Gladden further solidified this reputation when Modesta served as the lead designer for several of their developments, with Stardust Skies being her most significant project. Ads for the construction ran in the paper from 1956 through 1967. In 1963, the Mossman-Gladden firm bought an interest in Modesta’s, from here on out, advertised as Modesta’s, a Division of Mossman-Gladden. The merger expanded Modesta’s advertising reach, showing up several times in the Santa Fe New Mexican. She opened a new showroom at 2720 San Mateo Blvd. to serve Mossman-Gladden homebuyers. The two-story space (now a Big Five sporting goods store) highlighted the possibilities for purchasing a fully furnished residence in Stardust Skies.

The location of Modesta’s Stardust Skies Showroom. 2720 San Mateo in January 2023

One of the first Mossman-Gladden developments advertising furnishings by Modesta’s. Albuquerque Journal. September 2, 1956 page 39

Mossman-Gladden invests in Modesta’s. Albuquerque Tribune. June 24, 1963 page A5

In 1965, Modesta highlighted her firm's rising interior design talents through photographs, including her husband and business partner, Joe Comeford. By early 1966, people new to Modesta’s understood Joe to be an integral part of Modesta's business, and his face was regularly published beside hers in ads as an owner of Modesta's. With Joe running the shop, Modesta could focus on civic matters. She was voted in as Regional Vice President of the American Institute of Interior Designers (AID), making her the first New Mexican designer to hold such a prestigious position. When the new Boy's Club in the northeast heights began construction, Modesta was called on to contribute expertise for Decorative Appointments.

Ad with photographs of Mr. and Mrs. Comeford. Albuquerque Journal. January 30, 1966 page 99

Modesta's firm continued delivering fine furniture to the Albuquerque region. She traveled far and wide to meet new suppliers and ensure her business reflected her design tastes. In 1964, she brought Provincial furniture, Contemporary and Contemporary American Classics. She introduced new flooring, drapery, and carpeting styles to Albuquerque homeowners and home builders.

By 1967, Modesta's work with the Stardust Skies neighborhood was complete, and several more home manufacturers and owners were looking to her for interior design. Stasey Homes was one of the first home builders outside Mossman-Gladden with the "designed by Modesta's" mark. Stasey Homes completed the "Castillion" model at 8800 Delamar NE, which Modesta designed and promoted.

Stasey homes with interiors by Modesta’s. Albuquerque Journal. April 28, 1968 page 63

Several examples of her custom work also show up in Four Hills Village. 1200 Cuatro Cerros was the first, as far as we know. She did the interior design for this Gold Medallion estate. It was a standard example of luxury in Four Hills. The home at the corner of Cuatro Cerros and Matador Place (now called Bernalillo Place) had five bedrooms and 3.5 baths, which for 1968 was quite a space! Modesta chose the luxury carpet in the 35-foot family room.

Ad for 1200 Cuatro Cerros. Albuquerque Journal. February 25, 1968 page 59

1316 Cuatro Cerros was the next one we came across. A five-bedroom custom luxury home decorated by Modesta.

After that, we discovered she designed the interiors for Harold Chaffee’s Garden Homes development in Four Hills. These are a series of “indoor-outdoor” houses that occupy the northern part of the street up Santa Ana Ave. The addresses include 905, 913, 929, and 933, but presumably more since Harold Chaffee built most of the houses on that side of the street.

Ad for 905 Santa Ana Ave. Albuquerque Journal. July 19, 1970 page H2

Ad for 929 & 933 Santa Ana. Albuquerque Journal. May 16, 1971 page G-6

Ad for 913 Santa Ana Ave. Albuquerque Journal. January 31, 1971 page G-7

Ad for 1316 Cuatro Cerros. Albuquerque Journal. September 25, 1968 page G-6

By the mid-60s, Modesta Comeford was a New Mexican trailblazer in interior design. She was the co-chair for “Interior Design of ‘67”, a charity event sponsored by Pi Beta Phi alumnae, which displayed vignettes at the Holiday Inn. Not too much later, Modesta went on to teach a three-credit course at UNM called “The House and Its Furnishings.” The following year, Modesta taught a 12-week course, "Your Home and the Professional Designer.”

All the while, business at Modesta’s was ongoing. Sales and trends came and went. They opened a second showroom in 1974 at 3109 Central Ave N.E. (It is now Yanni’s in Nob Hill). Modesta achieved another New Mexico design community win when she was voted into the Regional President seat for the American Institute of Interior Designers. With this new title, Modesta traveled the world in search of beauty, speaking as an authority in interior design. She represented Albuquerque on regional and national stages, including the Interior Design Convention in Santa Fe in 1972, where she presented alongside representatives from Los Angeles, New York, and more to over 160 designers and professionals.

Modesta’s husband, Joe, died in 1975. After that, she continued to run her business and stayed engaged with the community. By 1978 she had moved out of her two main showrooms and consolidated her business into one location, 2420 Monroe NE. The last ad we came across for Modesta’s was from 1987. It was for a half-off sale, so presumably, she was closing the business. From there, we see nothing until her obituary in 1997.

Albuquerque Journal. July 25, 1973 page B-1

We do know that Modesta lived a long and fruitful life of 92 years, born in 1905 and died in 1997, highly respected by her peers after having made her home in Albuquerque beautiful.

Modesta's impact on the world of interior design and her contributions to the Albuquerque community is undeniable. Her work with luxury homeowners and builders in Four Hills Village and beyond showcases her impeccable taste and exceptional talent. Her continual engagement in civic matters further solidifies her reputation as a leading designer and a respected professional in the community. Her legacy is an unwavering dedication to her craft and should continue to inspire future generations of interior designers.