About a year ago, after much thought and prayers, I decided to move forward with my dream of opening a design studio where my clients could come to (if they chose to) and be inspired with everything that they see. The design studio is more of an “idea studio” instead of a retail storefront. I wanted to create a welcoming, comfortable environment, that felt more like a well appointed home with beautifully designed room vignettes for my clients to get ideas and be inspired. The space is about 1050 square feet and the space plan will accommodate two living room vignettes, a dining room vignette, a bedroom vignette and the work areas and sample/resource library in the rear. It is located in a beautiful building called Chelsea Market built in the 1980′s in the middle of Houston’s Museum District.
The dream so far has been very slow to become reality. In fact, the studio is still very much a work in progress. It is partially furnished and doesn’t quite resemble the vision in my head just yet. Because business has been a bit slower than anticipated, I am waiting or the financial resources to get the dream back on track without having to compromise on the vision. In the meantime, I work hard, and network a lot to build business. I know the big pay off is somewhere on the horizon 
A shot of the studio entrance from the beautiful courtyard
The space before I got my hands on it
The space After
Another “After” shot
My design studio was also meant to feature the work of “starving artists” whose wonderful creations sometimes go unnoticed by the major art galleries here in the Museum District. This was my way of giving back – by helping someone to get a running start at their creative dream. Eventually I will have “Art Nights” twice a month to feature pieces from a few artists and have them meet and greet patrons and give a bit of background information about their creations.
One such artist is my very good friend Aimee Chaison. She is a fabulous artist who works in acrylic, oil and resin. She is very creative and does everything from jewelry design to canvas to wall murals. Some of her work can be found on her Etsy shop RedNCKDebutante. She is the wonderful talent behind this beautiful wall mural in my design studio. Take a look
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This mural was done by painting the walls in a gold metallic house paint from Ralph Lauren’s Regent Metallics Collection. She then made a grid on the wall using painter’s tape (the grid gets the proportions and scale just right) and then sketched out branches in pencil and then she painted away. The mural took her a couple of weeks to finish, painting maybe an hour or two a day. Everyone who walks into my design studio swears it is wallpaper! She did a fabulous job, and these pictures do not do it justice!This area will be the dining room vignette in the near future.
Meet my friend Aimee Chaison:
Aimee Chaison working on the wall mural
Aimee Chaison and Veronica Solomon at Fashion Week Houston
She has been a very great encourager and supporter of my dream and I am happy to call her a friend.
I will have wonderful pictures of the completed space hopefully in the very near future.
Here are a few of the quotes that keep me going even in tough times:
Thanks for taking the time to read today. I appreciate every one of my loyal readers. Please leave a comment below with any questions or if you need information about my design services. You may also contact me here. And as always, please share this post.
Have a magnificent Monday!
Be Inspired!
Very pretty! Just like you Veronica!
Yvonne Brown
Thank you Yvonne!
Veronica, you rock girl! You are an inspiration to many, and you keep on working towards that awesome goal! I LOVE the “artist night” idea, so fun and a great way to help artists and get people into your showroom. I love the quotes that keep you moving forward! Keep on keeping on!
Thanks Deanna! Your encouragement means a lot
So honored to be a part of your dream:)
Thanks girl!
Any Time! The bug pic project is next:)
I love that you have someone by your side that is helping you and supporting your dreams. Your studio is a great concept to help your business. Congratulations!!!!
Thank you Don!
I love the mural.. Its very inviting..
Thank you Kelly
I am very happy for you Veronica. I love your design and hard work.
Thank you Dov!
I love reading about your dream and can hardly wait to see it. In my dreams I jump on planes and fly anywhere I want anytime I want so I would visit your lovely location and buy a whole bunch of your ideas and things you offer. Your friend who is an artist does beautiful work and I love how you support her. I have another artist I would like to introduce you to who is a minister and paints prophetic works. If you would like to see his site message me and I will give you the link.
It will, Veronica — hard work always pays off for those who don’t quit. Quitting is the easiest thing in the world to do, that’s why so many do it. Stick to what you’re doing and success will find you.
That is awesome that you achieved your dream! The place looks great!
I love that mural and what a great idea. At first when you said you were wanting a design studio I was thinking you bought a house and used each room to show off your skills lol. but this is more creative because since they are not actual rooms in a house, it makes you think and improvise bringing out more creativity
I did that too Marilyn!! A house and a studio in a year!!! Call me crazy!
Just beautiful!! Keep going/doing and you’ll get there!
What a great space! I can’t wait to see your vision realized. The mural is exquisite too. It looks like an oriental painting.
Best to think of how far you have come .. because that is amazing. Business will come because you have the KNACK !!
Veronica, I am so happy for you that you are living your dreams! You are awesome and it makes me smile! What a great space you have for your designs! You rock!
Obviously, I love your quotes Veronica. There’s something very comforting about the murals. Aimee does lovely work!
Seems to be a beautiful studio.
I am so excited to learn about your dream. Keep moving forward. It will happen. If your personality even closely resembles your online persona people will love you and your work. I know I love reading your posts and wish I could come see your studio. You are special.