Today is the day of Love! And for that reason I won’t give you all too much reading material, because I can think of a few better things you might want to do this evening

Source: MyLifesATrip.com

I just wanted to stop by to wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day! Enjoy time with that special someone.

And for those without a special someone; please accept this beautiful virtual floral arrangement from me. Pink tulips are my favorite! Followed by hydrangeas and white roses.

Source: FlowerMuse.com

I’ll let you get back to your day!  But before I do, tell us how you will be spending Valentine’s Day?

Happy Valentine’s Day! And Happy Friday!

Be Inspired!

If you have ever seen the TV show Hoarders, you will  see the down-side to collecting. This is where people are trying to fill some emotional void or fear in their life by accumulating stuff that overruns their home. According to some studies, in some cases, that same mechanism may be at work with people who have large collections of things. One example could be a grown woman who has an excessively large collection of dolls.This might suggest that she is trying to make up for lost play time when she was young, or maybe feelings of not enough love and attention

I am not suggesting that everyone who collects things have an emotional imbalance. Most people collect for the sheer joy of it…especially when it is tastefully displayed in their home. But whatever it is that you collect does say something about your personality at the very least.

There are so many fun things you can collect. I think it is a great hobby. Whether you are into dolls, action figures, stamps, buttons or white plates (like me) it is fair to say that everybody collects something, even if they don’t realize it

You may be drawn to a certain thing or object and seem to buy it every chance you get without realizing you are building a collection. No matter if you collect something strange, odd, unique, funny or rare, it says a lot about what you care about. How far you are willing to go to protect and care for your collection says a lot more about you.

I have seen everything from comic books, to salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, vintage tools, Betty Boop, to bobble heads, and each time I can see a personality trait that aligns somewhat with their collection.

So what do you think I collect?

I have always been drawn to white plates and platters with unique but delicate shapes and designs. They don’t have to be vintage necessarily, I just love details and the clean look of white. If I am out shopping and I spot one (or a few), I bring it home and put it away in a kitchen cabinet where it sits and really never gets used.

Recently during my move into a new home and a new design studio for my business, I realized that I have quite a bit of mis-matched plates and I need to find a way to use and display them. With a bunch of empty walls to fill in my design studio, I decided to hang a few where I can enjoy them instead of having them locked away in cabinets.

I started today and only got three up so far. It was harder than I thought and I now see that one of them is crooked  I will be sharing pictures when I get the rest up. Fingers crossed that I don’t break any

My design studio is actually an old historical Victorian house built in 1905 so the plates actually work perfectly for the vintage, shabby chic with an industrial twist approach that I am trying to capture.

The plates pictured above are three of my favorites. I especially love the one at the bottom with the birds.

I am also drawn to bird figurines & motifs and birdcages and always seem to buy them

In this picture that I shared on another blog post recently, you can see three of my many bird figurines.

I still am not sure what these items say about my personality, but I am open to hearing your thoughts

I also collect design magazines and design books…….I literally have hundreds. They are just sitting on the floor of my living room for now until I get my built-in bookcases done. I am hoping soon.

Now it’s your turn……

What do you collect and do you think it shows your personality?

Leave me a comment below because I know I am not alone

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

Planning your decorating project helps you to maximize your time and budget.

It helps to determine from the very beginning if you need the help of a professional Interior Designer. Even if you want to manage your own project and do the work yourself, hiring an Interior Designer on an hourly basis for a consultation and plan for your project will help you avoid costly mistakes. A good Designer can help you with  the best furniture layout, window treatment ideas, color schemes and shopping resources. Our Mail Order Decorator service does just that for you. For as little as $600, you can have a full design plan that you can manage and execute yourself at your own pace.

Here are some tips to help get you started

• Know your design aesthetic. Please do not feel the need to give your style a label. Being able to identify with a certain design style makes choices easier and gives you confidence, but having no particular style category and making your choices more of an evolved or collected feel, may reflect more of who you are and how you live
• Use furniture catalogs and design magazines for inspiration. Don’t necessarily try to mimic exactly what you see, but make sure you can see yourself in those spaces
• Don’t fall victim to trends. Keep your home style flexible because tastes are bound to change
• Stay focused and set attainable goals.
• Measure everything and create a floorplan and furniture layout. Measure all the furniture that will remain in the room. And take your floorplan and tape measure with you when shopping. You can use graph paper to create a scaled drawing or use a basic consumer software available through many furniture retailers
• Collect and organize your ideas in a “look book” for easy reference. Ask for samples of items like fabrics as much as possible while you are out browsing
• Create a realistic budget and spending plan. Know what the overall project will cost and what you can afford to buy and when. Purchase in phases, starting with items that will have the biggest impact. Avoid impulse buying
• Have a shopping list. This also helps you avoid impulse buying. “If it ain’t on the list - it ain’t coming home with me” is a good motto to adopt
• Consider some DIY projects and hacks to help stretch your budget. I have recently become a fan of Ikea. There are several pieces available that you can easily alter to give them a more custom look. Check out O’Verlays Decorative Fretwork for some ideas

Source: My Overlays.com

• Most importantly, have fun and don’t get overwhelmed. Rome wasn’t built in a day! Enjoy the process of finding those unique treasures.  It’s wonderful when each piece in your home tells a story. There’s nothing wrong with the Story being “The awesome Decorator Veronica Solomon hooked me up” but don’t forget to relax and enjoy.

Now, go forth an decorate my friends!  :-)

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

I can’t believe how fast the weekend went by! It seems the work week just drags along and the weekend goes by much too quickly. Anyway, this weekend, though short and very cold, was filled with some wonderful news! Not just for me, but for the artist I am about to feature: Courtney Morris, who also happens to be my 16 year old daughter.

Well, the big wonderful news is that one of Courtney’s pieces was selected to compete at the state level for the Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) Art Competition 2014. We are so very excited!

Here is the piece that was selected:

“Isolation” by Courtney Morris

“Isolation” is done in mixed media and in Courtney’s own words “it represents all the people who are hiding themselves away from what society expects of them”

About V.A.S.E.

The Texas Art Education Association has sponsored the VASE since 1994. It is the only art event of its kind in the nation. Only academically eligible high school students in grades 9-12 from throughout Texas can participate in VASE

VASE provides students the opportunity to bring artwork created in their art classes to regional and state events for evaluation by certified jurors. Click here to read more about VASE

About The Artist

Courtney Morris is a 16 year old high school student who lives in Katy, Texas. The daughter of Veronica Solomon, an Interior Designer, Courtney definitely has the creative gene. She has been drawing and painting since she was very young, and has spent a lot of time assisting her mother at her design studio.

Courtney draws from some of her own experiences and the inspiration she finds in other artists she admires, and even her friends to create her pieces. Her favorite type of art to create is portraits. She  feels that you can learn so much about someone’s life and experiences by the emotions on their faces.

Courtney works in all types of media – Acrylic, oil, charcoal, color pencils, watercolor and has completed and submitted many pieces for local art competitions through her Junior High and High schools.

Courtney is currently in 11th grade and is planning to pursue a career in the Visual arts field. Some of her other interests are: Fashion, makeup and photography.

Courtney is a very active teenager – She works as a babysitter and volunteers at our church and is an avid basketball player. She is also the vice president of her school’s Fashion Club

Here are a few more pieces from her portfolio

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

By Courtney Morris

I am extremely proud of Courtney and I continue to encourage her creativity.

Here she is:

Courtney Morris

In the near future, she plans to open an Etsy shop and offer reproductions of her original works for sale.

Thanks for taking the time to view my daughter’s work.

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

How about a fun and super easy craft idea for Valentine’s Day?

Pink Glitter Letters……

What a wonderful way to communicate your love (and other emotions) to your sweetie this Valentine’s Day!

Recently I came across this idea on Crazy Little Projects Blog and I just had to try it. These days it’s very difficult to find time to do any DIY or craft projects, but this one is very quick and easy. It literally took me 15 minutes

So with my son, Josh as my photographer, I decided to share with you my version of Valentine’s glitter letters

Here’s what you need for the project

• Wooden letters spelling out the word, name or initials you desire. I purchased these at Hobby Lobby for $1.29 each. I was in such a rush that I picked up the number 1 instead of the letter I. I didn’t even notice until Josh pointed it out. Haha! I told him it’s because your sweetie should be #1, so let’s pretend that I meant for that to happen
• Acrylic paint in your choice of color – I went with pink instead of red
• Glitter dust in your choice of color. It is best to keep the paint and glitter colors very similar
• A small soft brittle brush
• An old container for the paint
• Foil paper to lay out letters to dry
• Old newspaper or butcher paper to cover your work surface. Glitter will get everywhere if you’re not careful

My Process…..

• Lay each letter facing up on the foil paper
• Paint the letters one at a time. Do a really thick coat of paint because the wet paint will act as the glue for the glitter to adhere to. Be sure to cover all the edges with paint.
• While the paint is still wet, dust on a really thick layer of glitter. Be sure that all edges are covered.
• Leave the letters to dry before moving them
• When dry, clean up the edges and check that they are fully covered with glitter
• Voila! You are done
• There will be lots of excess glitter. Simply pour it back into the container

The Finished Product……

Here are the glitter letters in this cute little vignette.

Create a similar vignette on your nightstand and I bet that your sweetie will not miss this hint

You can spell out the word LOVE or XOXO, or your sweetie’s name or initials or whatever your little heart desires

Display on your mantel or in a bookshelf, or staple ribbons to the back and hang them on a wall.

Here it is using a picture editor app called InStatus

Have fun creating your version of Valentine’s Glitter Letters.

Would you try this Valentine’s Day craft idea?

Be Inspired!

I am a tropical weather girl. I grew up in Jamaica and moved to the United States at age 24. It is no accident why Ft. Lauderdale Florida was my city of choice to set up my homestead. The weather was very much like it was back home.

Fast forward 17 years later to today and I am practically freezing my buns off here in Houston – which by the way, I also chose for its mild climate. Mild? Not feeling that this winter.

Anyway, besides layers and layers of clothing and running the heat all day, I have been looking for inexpensive ways to bring in some warmth and cheerfulness to my home and studio for the winter.

Source: HGTV.com

Bringing in fresh flowers is a great way to add a sense of warmth and cheerfulness in your home for the winter. Click here for instructions from HGTV.com in creating the beautiful arrangement pictured above

When plant life becomes dormant and lifeless during the cold season, a touch of greenery and vibrant color inside can lift your mood.

One of my favorite flowers to decorate with are orchids. They have such a sculptural beauty, yet soft and exotic. They always catch my attention. I have never walked into a room with orchids and not notice them

I also love succulents, especially for those with a black thumb like me. They require very little attention and yet reward you with beauty and texture.

And if succulents aren’t low maintenance enough, but you still want colorful flowers in your home for the winter, you can always go with a faux floral arrangement

Source: NDI.com

Yep, I said it! Faux flowers have come a long way since your grandma’s plastic red roses

They look so real these days. The arrangement pictured above is proof of just how beautiful they can be in your home.

If flowers are not readily available in your neck of the woods, you can still bring a bit of nature in with twigs, branches and berries

They offer a very casual and effortless feel.

And for a really dramatic and sculptural effect…….

Source: Southern Hospitality Blog

Now it’s your turn……

What are some of your favorite flowers to decorate with during the winter?

Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

It is published at the beginning of the month and features decorating articles, paint color selection for the month, a craft or DIY idea, recipes and promotions for the month.

Below is our February or Valentine’s issue. The layout is a bit distorted from transferring it to WordPress from Campaigner, but I just wanted to give you an idea of what content you can expect each month

To subscribe to Pocket Decorator, please fill out the form below and please remember to look for the confirmation email to complete your subscription.

Your email address is private and will never be shared. You can unsubscribe at any time

Here goes!

In the meantime, click this link to be directed to Pocket Decorator

February 2014 Pocket Decorator                               By Casa Vilora Interiors  Welcome to this month’s issue of Pocket Decorator. In this issue we will focus on Valentine’s Day – the day of love and romance. We will be exploring some wonderful ideas and tips for a romantic day and creating a romantic space. We will feature clever and creative crafts and gift ideas. And I hope you’re hungry, because we will be showcasing a wonderful cupcake recipe. And in recognition of Black History Month, we will be honoring African American Interior Designers who helped pave the way for us.So sit back and relax and enjoy this month’s issue of Pocket Decorator. Hopefully you will find inspirationIdeas For Valentine’s Romance and Creating A Romantic SpaceCreating romance should not be reserved for just a designated holiday, but Valentine’s Day is definitely time to go all out. We lead very busy lives, and romance often gets pushed to the back burner, but with these great tips a romantic space can be yours all year round.-Use plush fabrics as much as possible throughout the room-Incorporate lots of candles-Create a romantic mood with ambient lighting, and using dimmers -If you have a large bedroom, use a large bed or try using a canopy bed with sheer draping panels -Incorporate a small seating area -Use warm colors With these simple tips, you can have a romantic space all year round. Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas For Her   The usual flowers and chocolate are always great V-day gifts for her. But here are a few more ideas to delight her this Valentine’s Day-A romantic get-away to a bed and breakfast -Hiring a maid service for a year or taking on most of the chores for a while -A gift certificate for an interior design consultation or one day makeover and organizing -A romantic evening out on the town (minus the kids). A horse drawn carriage ride is always a nice treat -Creating a romantic  master bedroom retreat (get professional help if needed) -Upgrade her wedding ring or give her a nice piece of jewelry. Diamonds are always nice For Him Guys are usually not very picky, but they need love too on Valentine’s Day. Here are some gift ideas for the man in your life -Concert tickets to his favorite band -A romantic get-away to a swanky hotel -A trip to a beer brewery -Upgrade his man cave or study (Get professional help if needed) -A trip to Vegas Hopefully this list will provide you with some great ideas for Valentine’s Day, and knock the socks off your sweetie Read my recent blog post that pokes a bit of fun at Valentine’s Day gifting. Click here to read “Your Guide To Getting Exactly What You Want For Valentine’s Day” Raw Vegan CupcakesAbout 8 months ago, I decided to fully embrace the “almost” raw vegan lifestyle. With this drastic change in my eating habits, it is often very difficult to find delicious treats like cupcakes that will be healthy and of course, as raw as possible. So I took to Pinterest to find some inspiration for delicious cupcake treats for Valentine’s Day. I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. There were tons of beautiful photos and definitely great inspiration. Some of my favorite recipes were from the Rawdorable Blog. These wonderful cupcake treats are pictured above, and if your mouth is watering like mine was…you can click here for the recipes  Let me know how they turn out. Valentine’s Glitter LettersIf you love glitter, then this Valentine craft idea found on Crazy Little Projects Blog is perfect for you! It is simple to make and great for kids as well. Click here for the step by step instructions. These can be any letters…example the initials or first name of your sweetie, or the word LOVE or KISS….anything Valentine related really. Decorate with them above your mantel, or as part of a vignette on a console table. Why not give this one a try!Decorating Tips For Valentine’s Day As an Interior Decorator, I love to decorate seasonally and for holidays. Valentine’s Day is no exception. Here are a few ideas for decorating for Valentine’s Day without going overboard or breaking the bank -It’s great to decorate with hand made crafts-Add a wreath to your front door or above the fireplace-Arrange a collage of plates on the wall that are decorated with Valentine’s Day graphics -Add throw pillows and a throw using Valentine colors -Bring in real flowers in reds and pinks – tulips, roses and hydrangeas are great options -Add details to upholstered dining room chairs using ribbons -Create a table top vignette including flowers, picture frames, candles -Lots of candles, preferably wickless candles This photo from Positively Splendid Blog is a great example of a Valentine Mantel. Click here for article Color CueI have been so inspired this month by tons of colors that I have helped my clients choose for their homes. One color that is my absolute favorite is Benjamin Moore Silver Lake (1598). Here it is in a room setting. What do you think? This is a great color for any room really. It works great in a bedroom for a serene and calm mood.  Honoring African American Interior Designers Who Paved The WayThese days we sometimes take for granted some of the struggles that occurred in the past that has helped to make our futures brighter. As an Interior Decorator, I am so blessed to be able to do what I love everyday. It is very rewarding when a client’s home is transformed into their dream home and the look of gratitude that they always seem to have. From 1954 when the late Norma Merrick, who was the first African American woman to receive an Architecture license, to Designers like Sheila Bridges, Cecil Hayes and Preston Bailey – all very accomplished Interior Designers whose contribution to the industry cannot go unrecognized. Read article from The Examiner honoring these three Designers’ contributions to Interior DesignThe good news is that there has been a sharp uptick of African Americans enrolled in an Architecture or Interior Design program in college. The prospect of minorities in The Design Trade looks brighterIt is truly an honor to be a member of this great professionFebruary PromotionsChoose between FREE shipping on any order of $250 or more OR receive $50 off your purchase of $500 or more!Use coupon code VDAYLUV to receive free shipping and coupon code VDAYLUV50 to receive $50 off Coupons apply to products only. Design services not included. Products are: Pillows Custom Drapery Panels Area Rugs Doggy Styles Drapery Hardware Bedding Purchase a Casa Vilora Interiors Gift Certificate and receive a separate gift certificate FREE for a one hour design consultation (a $95 value). No coupon code necessary. You can keep the gift certificate for yourself or gift it to someone else Receive a FREE 30 minute Skype session with any purchase of our Mail Order Decorator service. SHOP NOW Receive a FREE consultation and a FREE furniture layout for a separate room with any HappyNest One Day Makeover purchase. SHOP NOW BILL ME LATER IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A PAYMENT OPTION Receive 20% off any window treatment order including draperies, shades, shutters, blinds, woven wood shades (Does not apply to online orders) All offers expire February 14th Let’s Get Social Click to VeronicaSolomon.com to view my full profile. You can connect with me on social media, contact me via email, view my portfolio and shop my online store.   Please call 281-751-7552 to schedule a design consultation for your next projectHappy Valentine’s Day! ​     CASA VILORA INTERIORS5602 FRANZ RD, KATY TX 77493281-751-7552 | [email protected]

So let me know your thoughts on our Valentine’s issue of Pocket Decorator by leaving a comment below and please feel free to share . Be sure to click to the actual article for the proper layout.

Click to VeronicaSolomon.com to view my full profile where you can contact me, connect with me on social media, view my portfolio and shop my online store

Have a marvelous Monday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

I enjoy getting your questions and just being able to help someone solve a design problem or simply point them in the right direction.

I decided to do a Friday Q and A series here on The Naked Decorator, where my readers will have the opportunity to post a question in the comments field and I will do my best to answer. Your question and my answer will be visible to others, so everyone can benefit from each other’s questions.

Your questions can be anything from my role as an Interior Decorator, my business or a project I’ve worked on, a decorating question or challenge, a question on a product or vendor, a general industry question such as standard fees, best practices etc.

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I will do my best to answer to the best of my ability. Please keep in mind, however, that there are certain specifics that I cannot discuss, or get very in depth about, but rest assured that all questions will be answered as quickly as possible

Please know that your questions are always welcomed here at The Naked Decorator, any day of the week, but I just wanted to set aside a day focused on interacting with my readers, and personally addressing any questions you may have.

It’s quite ok if you don’t have a question, simply leave a comment as you normally would. My goal is to make Friday Q and A engaging, where we can all learn from each other, inspire some creativity and hopefully help you make your home the beautiful and comfortable haven it is meant to be.

So whether you are a DIY-er, or looking to hire a professional like me, or have just been curious about what we do, you will find some answers to your most pressing decorating questions. So ask away……..

Ok, so Friday Q and A starts NOW!

In the meantime, please enjoy this shot of a dining room I completed a couple of years ago. You can view more of my work HERE

Design By Veronica Solomon – Casa Vilora Interiors
Photography by Diana Simonetta

Please click to VeronicaSolomon.com for my full profile where you can contact me, connect with me on social media, view my portfolio, and shop my Ecwid storefront

Wishing you all a FANTASTIC Friday!!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com

Casa Vilora Interiors Gift Certificates are available for our design consultations as well as for design services.

You can purchase a gift certificate for as little as $96 which can be used towards a one hour design consultation. If you desire more than one hour, simply increase the quantity to the hours needed.

Casa Vilora Interiors gift certificates are also available in other dollar amounts up to $10,000 and can be purchased for any one of our design services, including Mail Order Decorator, which is a design service available to those who live outside of the Houston area.

Of course if you need to purchase a gift certificate above $10,000, simply increase the quantity to equal the dollar amount, or use the special text box for special instructions.

Design by Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
Photography by: Diana Simonetta

Give the gift of a beautiful design similar to the one above to the one you love. To see more of my work, please click here to view my portfolio

From now through Valentine’s Day (February 14th), I am offering a complimentary one hour consultation with every gift certificate purchased! (a $95 value). This will be sent as a separate gift certificate along with your purchase. You can choose to keep it for yourself or re-gift it to someone else.

Starting February 1st through February 14, I am also offering $50 off plus free shipping on any purchase over $300.00 on my Ecwid storefront. Bill Me Later is now available as a payment option

A Casa Vilora Interiors gift certificate is a great way to give your sweetheart a lasting and beautiful gift that he or she will use and enjoy every single day.

Please contact me with any questions about my design services. Click VeronicaSolomon.com to view my full profile. You can also connect with me through social media

Have a Terrific Thursday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

But mirrors are still a great design trick for creating the illusion of a larger space especially in a small room.

Mirrors add an instant sparkle and depth in a room. What’s great is that it reflects light and enhances a beautiful vignette or feature that it is reflecting

Now here’s an example of how to properly do a mirror in a room

Source: HGTV.com
Design By: Erica Islas
Photography By: David Young-Wolff

• Add a floor length mirror wherever possible, especially in a bedroom
• Use a framed or beveled mirror
• Use mirrored furniture, but sparingly
• Hang a wall mirror at the proper height
• Make sure the mirror is reflecting something pretty
• A wall of mirrors is great if it is done in an artful way

Source: Cococozy.com

Now go forth and decorate with mirrors without fear. If you need inspiration, click here to view a cool post I wrote a while ago featuring some gorgeous mirrors.

Hope all is well in your world, and best wishes for a great Tuesday!

I have slipped a few notches down to #51 on Top Mommy Blogs, so please continue to vote by clicking the icon below. This takes you directly to the Top Mommy Blogs homepage and it automatically counts as a vote for me. You can also rate and comment by clicking the Home and Garden category from the list on the right. Look for The Naked Decorator and click a cupcake to vote and leave a comment. Thanks so much for voting!
Please click to VeronicaSolomon.com for my full profile, where you can connect with me, contact me, view my portfolio and shop my Ecwid storefront
Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon