What’s New At Casa Vilora Interiors

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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So I have been missing from the blogosphere for a while now….but with good reasons. While I enjoy writing meaningful articles with decorating tips and ideas……..and beyond, I had to make a decision to take a break from blogging just to maintain my sanity. I absolutely missed the wonderful comments and interactions with those who read my articles and took time to leave comments and questions. I am slowly getting back to normal as things slow down for the season. It has been a wild ride!

So why was I gone for so long? I have been blessed with several new projects – large and small and without a full time assistant, things just got a bit crazy (good crazy ). Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the projects I have been working on. Pictures taken with an iPhone, so professional pictures will follow soon.

Family Room

Family Room

Game Room

Game Room

Dining Room - Hsot chairs didn't arrive in time and two pieces of art arrived in pieces :-(

Dining Room – Hsot chairs didn’t arrive in time and two pieces of art arrived in pieces :-(

Drapery Panels For A Teenager's Bedroom

Drapery Panels For A Teenager’s Bedroom

I will update you through future articles about all the decorating projects I have been working on. But today’s post is really about a big decision I made recently about the future of Casa Vilora Interiors and No Naked Windows.

Well here’s a hint

Casa Vilora Interiors - New Design Studio

Casa Vilora Interiors – New Design Studio

What you are looking at is the new world headquarters aka interior design studio for Casa Vilora Interiors and No Naked Windows.

About two years ago I decided to move into a trendy side of Houston (The Museum District) to expand my niche and reach a different demographic in the market. My clientele was mainly mid to high income level suburban families, but I also wanted to reach young professionals who were very much in touch with fashion and home trends and culture. It felt like a great thing to do at the time, but fast forward two years later and it turned out not to be the right decision for my business. As I thought about moving back to Katy where most of my clients live, it seemed like an impossible thing to do. But with prayer and the determination I have, I pressed forward.

I happened to be on my way to pay a traffic ticket (of all things :-) ) when I noticed a “For sale” sign on a cute little victorian home (located on a busy street with several commercial offices). I made a quick U-turn and got the phone number displayed on the sign and immediately called the owners. We arranged a viewing of the property that same day! It had clearly seen better days, but I fell madly in love with it! I could see all the potential that dingey little structure possessed. It is designated an historical home in the city of Katy and that was very intriguing to me! It was built in 1905 as a rental property and was added on to in the 1950′s (based on the yellow bathtub ). It had really high ceilings and felt airy and light despite the horrific paint colors on the walls! There was even a back building where my daughter could do her painting and art. Even better, it was already zoned for commercial use, so setting up shop will be a piece of cake, right?! - Wrong! (I am still in the process of getting everything ready for inspections for the Certificate of Occupancy and signage) but so far, so good!

I wasn’t sure if I was ready to actually purchase the property, and I explained this to the owners, who explained that they would be willing to lease the property to me for a year with the option to purchase. They won’t try to sell to anyone else within the year! This was perfect! I happily signed the lease! And for almost half of what I was paying for the trendy location!

Casa Vilora Interiors Design Studio located at 5602 Franz Rd Katy TX 77493

Casa Vilora Interiors Design Studio located at 5602 Franz Rd Katy TX 77493

So, we are in the middle of getting some minor projects done, so I can move in and get down to business, right after inspections that is! Here’s my honey do list:

The driveway is going in – landscaping to follow
To keep costs down, I am only painting the blue trim to freshen up the facade (guess I’ll fully paint when I own the place)
The front doors and back door have been changed to more welcoming french doors (not shown)
I wish I could pull out that carport (just a thought )
painting the interior – what a relief!
Refinishing wood floors
Adding storage
Decorating! Yay!!! My favorite part!

I will defintely keep you all updated on the progress of my new design studio with more photos later.

I’ll try not to go MIA for so long in the future.

Don’t forget to connect with me on Facebook and Twitter where you’ll get up to date information on what’s new at Casa Vilora Interiors or simply click my about.me profile for all my social media and contact information

Have a blessed Thursday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Designer Thingies: What The Heck Is It?

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Hello to you my loyal readers! Happy Thursday to you all. Today, let’s take a break from working and networking and have a bit of silly fun time!! Are you game? Good

Let’s play another game of “What The Heck Is It?”

Here’s how the game works: I post a picture of a product or tool used in the world of Interior Design, that may be unknown to you if you are not in the design trade, and you guess the name of the product or tool and what it is used for. Got it?

I will reveal the answer to “What The Heck Is It?” in my blog post for the next day (in this case on Friday) with special shouts out (including links) to all who guessed correctly!

Here goes today’s product or tool!!

Can you guess?

Please leave me a comment below with your best guess of “What The Heck Is It?” Who knows, there might be a surprise for the first person to correctly guess “What The Heck Is It?” You will have to come back to find out ;-) Have fun guessing, and be sure to come back to my post for Friday, July 12th where the answer will be revealed. Good luck!!

Before I go, let me remind you about our summer special on custom window treatments – Up to 20% off!! Please visit my online store for details.

As always, please contact me here for more information on my decorating and remodeling services and to connect with me on social media.

Please comment and share so others can take a short break from their busy day and join in the fun!!

Listen to John Steinbeck!

Wishing everyone a terrific Thursday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Great Furniture Finds

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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I love working on projects where I am sourcing furniture pieces for my clients. I enjoy finding some really great and unique pieces that fit my vision perfectly. I was working on a presentation for a new client recently, and I couldn’t help filing away some of these pieces for my own home or design studio.

Do any of these pieces speak to your decorating style? What pieces would you love to see in your own home? Take a look

Side Board from Lexington

Side Board from Lexington

Cabinet from Vanguard

Cabinet from Vanguard

Console Table - Oly Studio

Console Table – Oly Studio

Console Table

Console Table

Iron Bed - Oly Studio

Iron Bed – Oly Studio

Cabinet

Cabinet

Cocktail Table - Oly Studio

Cocktail Table – Oly Studio

Dresser - Halo

Dresser – Halo

Halo

Halo

Halo

Halo

Sofa - Gabby

Sofa – Gabby

Oly

Oly

Gabby

Gabby

Chair - Gabby

Chair – Gabby

Ottoman - Gabby

Ottoman – Gabby

Chair - Lexington

Chair – Lexington

Sofa - Bolier

Sofa – Bolier

Sofa- Fairfield

Sofa- Fairfield

Sofa - Duralee

Sofa – Duralee

Sofa - Owner's Select

Sofa – Owner’s Select

Well this is just the tip of the iceberg! There is so much more where these came from

Most of these pieces are customizable – You can pick your own finishes, fabrics, cushion comfort, and they even modify sizes in some cases! Talk about custom! Most pieces shown are available to the trade only, but you’re in luck…..you know a design trade professional…..ME!

I am always available to assist you with your decorating needs, whether you just need one accent piece, or a full on renovation. You can click here to find out more about my design services. It’s also a good place to connect with me on all my social media sites…..You don’t want to miss all the valuable tips, information and trends that I bring to you daily!

Of course if you prefer the do-it-yourself approach to decorating, please check out Mail Order Decorator to order your professionally designed mail order room that you get to put together with my expert guidance! Click here for details. And because we don’t believe in Naked Windows, check out our online store for our summer special on window treatments. There is still time to order your custom drapery panels with 20% off! Be sure to stop by!

Please comment and share, I just love hearing from you!

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Being A Strong Single Woman

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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I don’t know what it was about the 4th of July celebrations yesterday that triggered a bit of sadness in me. Maybe it was seeing all the families enjoying the day’s festivities and just having fun and my life is not so fun these days? But it was an overwhelming feeling of loneliness that I couldn’t quite ignore.

It is not very often that I even think about the fact that I am a single mother raising a teenager and a pre-teen, running an Interior Decorating business, and just dealing with every single aspect of life alone. I just know what needs to be done, and I get up everyday and do it. If I make a mistake, I learn from it, put it behind me and forge on. I never expect a reward or a badge of honor for doing what needs to be done, I don’t even expect to be called a strong woman. I’m just a woman doing the best I can with what God has blessed me with.

I realized quickly that my sadness yesterday was tied to the fact that I am single, and have been for a while. I have done a great job of convincing myself that I don’t need a man to feel fulfilled and complete, and this is true. But there is that God-given sense of companionship that is there within each of us and we can’t just brush it aside as if it doesn’t exist. The key is how you handle that need for companionship.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying my life is painful, but being single is getting really old, and fast. Even my last relationship that lasted three years still felt like I was single. I mean, he was a wonderful guy who I believed loved me very much, but it was a long distance relationship (I mean another continent!) and so we hardly saw each other. We ended up just being friends…that was best for us I think.

Then there is the ex-boyfriend who didn’t quite deserve my love, but I still can’t seem to get over? Who still calls me up for advice and support even with relationships, and who clearly realizes that I am “the one that got away”.

So I haven’t been that lucky in love.

Why does it have to be so complicated?!

So instead of feeling sorry for myself for being single, and resenting other people’s happiness, I am embracing the fact that no matter what, I am living life to the fullest and loving my family with all that is in me. I will keep moving forward with my life and won’t settle for less than I deserve. I will continue to hold myself to the highest standards and will expect the same from a man. I won’t worry about the future especially where relationships are concerned. I believe that in time and with prayer, everything will fall right into place. I’m sure there will be days that I will feel alone and sad, but it’s amazing the joy that comes from being with your children and immersing yourself in a hobby or even work. Lucky for me, I get to do what I love everyday – designing beautiful and comfortable spaces for my clients!

Yes, I can honestly say, I am a strong single woman who doesn’t need a man to feel fulfilled or complete.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my minor emotional breakdown :-) I promise to get back to the business of interior design in my next post. There are big things on the horizon for Casa Vilora Interiors and No Naked Windows, so please stay tuned to find out. As always, you can contact me here for more information about my decorating service or visit my online store to purchase custom drapery, bedding and pillows.

Please comment and share!

Click my About.Me page to connect with me on all social media sites

Have a fabulous Friday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Home Decor Show

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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A few years ago I did a home décor show called Katy Home Décor and Remodeling Show. This was at the height of the economic down-turn, so the results of doing the show were not what I had hoped for, but I did meet two of my greatest clients there. I’ve been thinking about doing another show for Spring 2014, so I have been looking back at photos of my booth from the previous show. Here are a few photos that I’d like to share with you.

I decided to do a living room vignette in this small 8′x8′ space to make it inviting for my patrons. I had a wall built from 2×4′s and plywood as a backdrop for my custom drapery panels and art to give it the feel of a real living room. Much better than the blue and maroon polyester draping that came with the booth. I then added the upholstery, rug, cocktail table and accessories to finish the look. My booth was a hit at the show! In fact one patron referred to it as the “sexy” booth

Here are a few more pictures.

My sister Staci and my two children Courtney an Joshua - My support system

My sister Staci and my two children Courtney an Joshua – My support system

My friend Aimee also came to lend a hand

My friend Aimee also came to lend a hand

So here’s the big question: If I decide to do the show for Spring 2014, what room vignette should I do? A dining room, a bedroom or another living room? I’d love to get your opinions. Please leave me a comment below and share this post.

Please contact me if you would like more information about my design services, and visit my online store to purchase custom drapery panels, pillows and bedding.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

What DoThe BackStreet Boys Have To Do With Interior Design?

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Recently I found myself humming to a song that I used to listen to over and over but hadn’t heard in a while. My 11 year old son Joshua, was a bit curious and asked what song I was “attempting” to sing. I replied “BackStreet Boys – Shape of My Heart”. His first response - ”Who are the BackStreet Boys?”. Of course I had to give him a bit of education on one of my all time favorite boy bands. That education of course started on YouTube, and from there we were rocking out to a bunch of their older and newer songs. He was hooked! Seriously! I think he is now the biggest BackStreet Boys fan! :-).

Why did I tell you about that story? Well it got me thinking about Interior Design (like everything else seems to. Inspiration comes from any and everywhere :-)) What always amazes me is how what’s old can become new again, and appreciated by a whole new generation. The BackStreet Boys’ careers may be extinct, but a brand new appreciation for their true talent has developed in my home, and will certainly be shared with friends at school and through social media. Who knows? Maybe there’s hope for the BackStreet Boys being the number one boy band again!

Case in point – the watercolor trend for 2013. You can find watercolor patterns everywhere from the fashion runway, high end interior fabrics and furnishings to accessories. Click here to see a guest article I wrote recently for Refined Life Luxury Lifestyle Magazine about this trend.

Watercolor pattern was really big in the 80′s! I recall as a young girl seeing the floral chintz fabrics in all their “beauty”. Sure, when an old trend is back en vogue, it is usually with some improvements and definitely more updated. These days, those watercolor patterns are done on some of the most beautiful linens and silks; not so much chintz anymore.

Another new trend is grasscloth wallcoverings, (and wallpaper itself). These were pretty popular back in the 70′s. These days, grasscloth is back and bigger than ever!

A Project I Completed 2 years Ago - Grasscloth Wallpaper on Main Wall

A Project I Completed 2 years Ago – Grasscloth Wallpaper on Main Wall

Grasscloth is one of my favorite wallpaper treatments. In fact, it will be on a few walls in my new home. I just love the wonderful natural and rich texture. The picture above is a project I completed about 2 years ago with grasscloth wallpaper on the main focal wall. It definitely adds depth and warmth to this space.

Another trend from a few years ago that is really hot these days is jewel tones, especially in fashion. Jewel tones are rich saturated colors inspired by gemstones like sapphire, emerald, ruby and amethyst.

Photo: Zillow Blog

Photo: Zillow Blog

These days, emerald green is the new color trend. In fact, it was named by Pantone as the color of the year for 2013 and can be seen in everything from fashion to furnishings to home accessories.

What was old is new again is certainly true for fashion. My daughter, who is a budding fashion designer has been very curious about what my style was like as a teenager and what the fashion was like back then. I am quite certain I will be the inspiration for a future runway collection from her

Well the Back Street Boys have nothing to do with interior design, but they are certainly a great example of something that was great in the past providing inspiration for the present. True art form never really dies – “everything old is new again”

il_fullxfull_320024246

What “old” idea or thing have you noticed is new again?

Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for - announcing the WINNER from my blog post contest than I posted over the long weekend “What’s Wrong With This Picture?” where you, my wonderful readers were asked to guess what’s wrong with this picture? The prize, of course, is a beautiful pair of 18×18 decorative throw pillows.

Before I get to the winner, I’ll tell you what was wrong with the picture: A few of you got it right – What was wrong is I had moving containers from two competing moving/storage companies! PODS and PackRat. Both were 12′ containers (although one looked slightly smaller to me). It is Quite a bit unusual, but believe me there is a long story behind it. Notice also that one container was even sitting at the curb instead of the driveway, which is deep enough to accommodate both. Moving is fun! NOT!

Ok, time for our WINNER: Three…Two….One…..

Debbie Conner come on down!!!! You are the lucky winner of the fabulous pair of pillows!! Congratulations!!!! Please click here to send me a private message on Facebook to claim your prize I am positive that you will enjoy them!

Thanks to everyone who participated!!

Please remember to comment and share!

Click here to contact me.

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

A Monochromatic Dining Room Makeover

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Hello All! It’s already Wednesday! Can you believe the week has been racing by so fast? I’m still hard at work packing like crazy, and man, I am getting such a good workout!

Ok, so today’s post will be one of those short but sweet ones I mentioned in a previous article. The picture you are looking at is a project I completed about two years ago. This room belongs to some really awesome clients that I have been working with now for several years. I have done pretty much every room in their home – one project after another. In fact, I have 2 fans and a custom iron bed to install in the near future. I’ve seen them through marriage, 2 beautiful babies and one more on the way, the upcoming wedding of an older daughter, and many other moments in between. I think I’m a family member at this point, and they were a referral! (The power of referrals :-))

Ok, so back to the room……This I believe was project #4. They wanted a calm, serene dining room for when they entertain. They are a devout Jewish family, so alot of their meals and prayer time happen in this dining room. The room is very small…..the smallest dining room I have worked with, but they needed as much seating as possible and storage for prayer books. Tall order for a small room!

We decided on a monochromatic blue/gray color scheme. The walls were painted in a Ralph Lauren Regent Metallic and has a subtle, soft shimmer. My clients enjoy the juxtaposition of rustic with refined, so they were quite excited when I found the perfect size dining table, made from reclaimed wood in Indonesia. The side chairs were custom upholstered in a wonderful blue/gray fabric and the host/hostess chairs are actually occasional chairs turned dining chairs. They were also custom upholstered in two different fabrics for a unique and luxurious touch. The zig-zag bookshelf was the unexpected element in the room, and was the perfect size to fit that small space. And who can ignore the beautiful drapery panels, made from a luscious stripe silk fabric. Even better looking in person!

Fabric Selection For Dining Room

Fabric Selection For Dining Room

My favorite part…the fabric selection. My client loves fabrics as much as I do, and I always get to use the finest on her projects :-). She was completely in love with this beautiful selection of silks and silk blends, velvets, and cut velvets. Notice the beautiful textures?!

I also added an area rug and the beautiful crystal drum chandelier, and very minimal accessories – adding a pop of orange in the table setting. My clients and I were really excited about this room!

Here a couple more shots for your viewing pleasure.

Ok, so maybe this article again wasn’t so short, but I love to tell the story behind my projects. I am so fortunate to work with wonderful clients

You too can become a client of Casa Vilora Interiors for your interior design needs and No Naked Windows if you’re interested in custom drapery and bedding. Contact me here!

Please don’t forget to comment and share

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Murals Instead Of Art

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Hello All! Happy Monday!

This week will be spent packing up my 4300 square foot home, deciding what to take with me to the much “cozier” home, what to donate to Katy Christian Ministries, and what to trash. I am being pretty ruthless with the trash pile. I’d say if there are any dumpster divers in my neighborhood, they are going to score big time!

My posts this week will probably be pretty short snippets; but short and sweet is good…right?

Please enjoy the before and after shots of the fireplace wall of a wonderful client I had the honor of working with late last year.

Before Shot Of Fireplace

Before Shot Of Fireplace

My clients just moved to Houston and purchased a beautiful home with some great architectural features, but they were just a bit too plain for her as well as for me. She is an avid art collector with some very spectacular pieces that she had collected over the years. It is quite an impressive collection of beautiful framed oils of landscapes and architecture! She wanted the fireplace to be a focal point in the room while complementing the rest of the space. The fireplace is a cast stone, so it was much too blah for me, and with such high ceilings and the fact that the alcove was pretty much defined above the mantle, I didn’t think that a piece of art would be the best option. Besides we already had quite a few pieces of art in the room. I suggested we do a mural above the mantle and faux paint the fireplace surround to look like travertine or limestone….something more natural looking. She loved that idea!

After showing her a few ideas for the subject, we both fell in love with the beautiful peacock perched on a branch. My faux painter and muralist were very excited about this project, and so we set to work creating a masterpiece. I wanted the colors to be subtle and almost have an aged appearance, as if the mural was there for centuries – but still being very elegant and complementary to the updated traditional look of the rest of the space.

During

During

During

During

As you can see from the during shots, it was quite a big job that required scaffolding. My client later admitted to me that her husband would come home each evening and look at the unfinished work in progress, and was a bit nervous about the colors. Of course, she shared my vision from the very beginning, and did a great job of assuring him to just hang in there for the finished product.

After Shot Of The Fireplace

After Shot Of The Fireplace

Another After Shot Of Fireplace

Another After Shot Of Fireplace

Voila! This is the finished fireplace! You may notice that the actual fireplace surround was given a glaze treatment to age it just a bit (very subtle but a huge difference). We also added a glaze to the moldings that surround the art niche above the fireplace to make them blend in a bit more. It took a little less than 2 weeks to complete and is simply gorgeous…..expecially when seen in person! My client (husband included) were quite pleased and very excited with the finished product. The entire room came together beautifully. Stay tuned for pictures of the rest of the room in future posts.

I guess this post isn’t so short after all but hope you enjoyed it!

If you would like a custom mural or paint treatment, or any help with your decor, you can contact me here.

Feel free to leave me a comment with your thoughts on the finished fireplace.

Be inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Simple Things I Adore: Skirted Tables

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Designer: Amanda Nisbet

Designer: Amanda Nisbet

Would you believe that the beautiful skirted table pictured above probably started out life as something like this?

Or this?

This not so attractive table is called a decorator table. Mostly made from particle board, this table usually comes in sizes of 24″, 28″, 30″ and 36″ in diameter, available at big box stores, and usually come with a piece of glass cut to fit the table top. As you can see, despite the name, there is nothing decoratory (that’s not a real word :-)) about this table, but it can be a great avenue for some real creativity with the help of some beautiful fabrics.

Personally, I prefer to use a more heavy duty option like a conference table since the particle board tables can be rather flimsy. Also the glass that comes with the cheaper version is usually very thin. A thicker piece of glass makes for a stronger table and of course, will hold up a lot better over time

Photo: Newly Wed Diaries

San Francisco Designer Grant K. Gibson

Grant K. Gibson

Grant K. Gibson

Skirted tables can be a beautiful asset in a room. They add a certain romantic elegance, especially when draped in beautiful silks or linen fabrics. They look absolutely luxurious when tailored with inverted box pleats and embellished with beautiful trimmings or a contrast fabric. If not done well however, a skirted table can look like a sloppy mess, so choose your fabric type, pattern and color carefully. Also, be mindful of how the items are arranged on the table top. Please see my recent blog post about creating beautiful vignettes for some great tips

Photo: Tom Scheerer

Photo: Tom Scheerer

They make wonderful vanity tables or sink skirts in a bathroom, and work great as nightstands, consoles tables, kitchen cabinet skirts, sidetables, or in the laundry room to disguise the washing machine and dryer. They are also wonderful for hiding wires or stereo equipment in a living or family room. I especially love the rectangular skirted tables with a very tailored cover and thick glass on top. Used in an entry hall, it serves as a great place to set up a wonderful vignette of special mementos. Another great use for a skirted table is in a dining room – as a dining room table. Yes, this is where I usually get the most resistance, especially from male clients. The softly draped fabric over a plain box adds instant warmth to a dining room, and is a wonderful addition in a room with alot of wood pieces. It is a great way to add some softness and richness. When a dining table has no real architectural interest or has seen better days, a skirted table can be a wonderful solution.

The Clifton Home

The Clifton Home

Photo: Bear Hill Interiors

Designer: Jan Showers

Photo: Gretchen Leigh Clark

Photo: Gretchen Leigh Clark

Photo: Scot Meacham Wood

Photo: Scot Meacham Wood

Cote de Texas Blog

Cote de Texas Blog

The preferred fabric is a heavy weight linen or silk. The heavier the fabric, the more luxurious the drape; just like a wonderful drapery fabric. Avoid using really thick upholstery fabrics. Skirts should be lined and preferrably interlined. The best lining to use is blackout lining. This adds to the weight, which adds richness, and the sun won’t shine through and expose what’s covered underneath. A 3″ puddle is ideal unless it is a tailored inverted box pleat skirt – in which case a 1″ floor break works fine. The puddling allows you to pull the skirt up with your hands and let it fall to the floor in graceful, effortless folds – such a beautiful effect!

Photo: Alamodeus.net

Designer: Mark Lohman

The Lennox.com

Kelley Interior

The design possibilities are endless for skirted tables. You have the ability to pick your own fabric for a well coordinated look in a room, and even change fabrics to your hearts desires, or decorating seasonally. But just in case you are not yet convinced, here are some more images of beautiful skirted tables.

Photo: Lonny Magazine

Photo: A La Mode Blog

Jenny From The Little Green Notebook Blog

Jenny From The Little Green Notebook Blog

Photo: Elements Of Style Blog

Palmer Weiss

Wisteria.com

Wisteria.com

How about a skirted table that is a bit more unique and fun?

Bryan Ferry via Pinterest

Bryan Ferry via Pinterest

So the next time you are looking for a simple solution to add a strong design statement or just to fill the corner of a room or entry hall, consider a using a skirted table. As you can see, they are definitely not your grandma’s polyester tablecloth.

To satisy the DIY weekend warrior in some of you, I wanted to share this article by Maggie Rose Interiors that guides you step-by-step to creating a no-sew skirted console table. Enjoy!

Please don’t forget to comment and share!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

Quick Update On The New Home

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Veronica Solomon

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Hello All! For those of you who have followed the progress of my big life change of downsizing my home at age 40, I thought I’d give you a quick update on how things are progressing. If you are interested in reading the previous articles I wrote about this, you can find them here, here and here.

The sale of my current “mansion” is still pending and should be closing escrow in two weeks. The new buyers are gracious enough to let us stay in the home for another two weeks until we close on our new home being built! What a relief to not have to move twice in one month! The new buyers are very excited to be be moving into this great home and community….they even already have mail coming here! . I know they will be happy here just as we have been for the last seven years.

Ok so I know you all are ready to see some pictures, so without further ado, here goes!

It definitely looks like a family home now! the exterior has been completely painted and stained. Landscaping installed and the light fixtures (which will be replaced for sure) have been added. They actually forgot to add brick to the floor of the front porch, so that remains to be done. As you may be able to see, I do have electrical wires behind my home (not the junction box), but it was s small price to pay for not having back neighbors. I love neighbors as much as the next guy, but sometimes in the confines of my own home and backyard I do take “The Naked Decorator” thing literally! Just kidding…or not

The cast stone fireplace has been installed. This is actually an upgrade from the one in my current home. I love the rough texture of this one, which will go very well with the updated country french direction for the new decor. Notice that my ceilings are low….I have 20 foot ceilings in my current home which was actually a great feature when I was buying the home. I wanted cozy instead of volumnous ceilings in this new home. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make them appear just a tad bit higher…..but you will have to stay tuned for that :-). I plan to add hand-sawn faux wood beams to really play up the fireplace. Of course, the handscraped hardwood flooring will also be a nice feature when it is installed soon.

Kitchen cabinets are in! I wanted a lot of storage since this home is half the size of my current home. I plan to convert the big walk-in pantry behind the white door into a butler’s pantry with glass fronts for even more “pretty” storage. I went really dark with the cabinetry (which wasn’t my first choice) because the other choices in my budget range had red undertones (no more red!). These dark stained maple cabinets will be a nice contrast to the white travertine backsplash and granite countertops and the rest of the decor, which will be in soft shades of grays and mossy greens….very cool color palette

This is the smallish master bathroom (really filthy now, but that’s construction :-)). This bathroom is less than half the size of my current bathroom and I’m happy! Why? I don’t enjoy cleaning bathrooms! :-). My existing master bathroom has separate dual high-low vanities… I am single, so I just need one! No more jetted tub (I hardly use the one I have now), and now the wall tiles aren’t the 6×6 white ceramic tiles with a gazillion grout lines to clean! That’s definitely an upgrade

This is the big compromise that we had to make here. This small bathroom will be shared by my daughter and son and guests (when we do have them). They now share a very large jack and jill bathroom, so at least they have a bit of privacy. There is also a separate guest bathroom (that never gets used but somehow always ends up dirty :-)), and a powder room. My daughter was really looking forward to her own bathroom, but oh well, she’ll live!

There is so much left to be done, and I am actually a bit worried that they will not make the deadline of end of month. Fingers….and toes crossed please?!

We are definitely looking forward to the move. I am especially happy that with this move, in about 10 years….maybe eight if I stop buying shoes :-), I will be completely financially free, mortgage included. Downsizing is definitely worth that!!

Thanks for reading my story….as boring as it is

Please don’t forget to leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you think about the “quick” update on the new digs!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon

Veronica Solomon

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