As a Residential Interior Designer, there is so much beauty that I get to experience everyday in home fashion and styling. My personal taste constantly changes, although there are the classics that I will always love. My personal decorating style can change from one week to the next. This is what makes me different from other Designers; I don’t necessarily embrace just one signature look – I love and appreciate every design aesthetic, and I am very flexible to each client’s unique needs. So from a mountain lodge to a beach cottage, and everything in between, I craft each space to suit my client’s lifestyle and taste.

Having rescued a 1905 Victorian cottage that is now my design studio, and refreshing it to its former glory, has also allowed my personal design aesthetic to evolve – from traditional with dark cherry woods to light & airy cottage style with a hint of industrial.

During the planning phase, and now adding the finishing touches to this turn of the century gem, I have realized that there are a few things that I am really into, and had to have in this space.

Here is a list of 5 things I am really into (currently, because I know this will change pretty soon )

1. Large Scale Horizontal Striped Walls

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors – Horizontal Striped Walls

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors – Toddlers’ Bedroom with horizontal stripes

I don’t know what it is about large scaled horizontal stripes on walls that totally get my attention. Maybe it is the fact that it is such a big trend at the moment, but still has a very timeless appeal. It could also be because it is simple to do, not very expensive and adds a certain je ne sais quoi. I especially love the more subtle tone-on-tone version, but I also like a bold contrast in certain settings.

2. Shades of Gray

Source: Décor Pad.com

Source: Usestack.com

For a very long time, I was into the Tuscan look with warm neutral colors accented with red and burnt orange for my personal home. But these days I have made a 180 degree turn to cooler, more relaxed and monochromatic color schemes in shades of gray…… all 50 of them . Ok that was a bad joke. I just love the calming effect of gray – especially in a bedroom. Don’t get me wrong. I still love a punch of color. But this is what makes a gray neutral back drop so great. You can then accent with whatever color you enjoy.

3. Open Shelves In Kitchens

Source: TheInspiredRoom.net

Source: Centsationalgirl.com

Source: HammersandHighHeels.blogspot.com

Look at the amazing photos above and you can see why I’m really into kitchens with open shelves. This is a great way to highlight a beautiful collection (which is one more thing I’m into) and a wonderful way to break up the look of a bulky bank of cabinets, and lighten up your kitchen just a bit.

In my Victorian cottage, there is a small kitchen that I am sure is original to the house. My landlord painted the cabinets in a really yucky shade of red and they just don’t look that great. The layout of the kitchen is also very poor and it is sorely lacking in storage. Since I am leasing this property for now (hoping to purchase it next year), and won’t even use the kitchen that much since I am not living there, I was looking for ways to freshen up the look on a very tight budget. Open shelves came to mind immediately and of course repainting the cabinets. I will also add a subway tile or mosaic tile backsplash that I may even cover the entire wall with.

Here is a BEFORE shot of the kitchen.

This is a BEFORE shot of the kitchen in the design studio for Casa Vilora Interiors

Can you see that it needs urgent attention? Right now it is a catch all for all the things I have no idea what to do with. I literally close my eyes as I walk through it to get to the back office sample room.

AFTER pictures will hopefully be coming soon. It’s on my list of projects to get to soon.

4. Collections (White Plates and Ironstone)

Source: RosemaryOnTheTV.com

Source: Burlap and Blue.com

Source: Indulgy.com

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors

I love collections! Whatever is placed in well thought out groupings always look fabulous to me. Blue and white porcelain, a collage of mirrors, family photos in great frames, you name it; grouping them in a collection always has a bigger impact in a room.

I have a weakness for white plates, especially hanging on walls. I have had quite the collection for a very long time, but have only recently started to hang them. My obsession has brought me to the world of collecting ironstone. I only have a couple of pieces so far, but I am really enjoying the hunt.

I am making room in my design studio for future pieces. I had my carpenter build me this plate rack that I hung in the kitchen, and will be painting in white next weekend. I will slowly be adding new pieces in, along with some of my older pieces. Exciting! Take a look

Here is a post I wrote not long ago about my love for plate racks. Click here

Plate Rack for white plates collection for Casa Vilora Interiors

And in case you are wondering how I hang plates on the wall……..

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors

6. Skirted Tables

Source: Casa Vilora Interiors

Source: SoHauteStyle.com

Source: Chic and Glamorous

Source: House Beautiful

I just love skirted tables. They add such a feminine element to a room. I especially love the very tailored box pleat versions. To think that underneath the beautiful facade is probably a particle board skeleton of a table, shows just how a bit of creativity and a fabulous fabric can change the look of a piece of furniture. Click here to see the article I wrote a while ago about my love for skirted tables.

And here’s a BONUS of one more thing I’m really into

6. doTERRA Essential Oils

doTERRA Essential Oils

Many of us are searching for a more holistic approach to self care, aroma therapy, and staying healthy. Essential Oils are gaining in popularity and mainstream acceptance.

doTERRA Essential Oils are certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils. I made the decision over 8 months ago to take charge of my own health and find a better alternative to mainstream medicine and my diet. I switched my diet to almost raw vegan and I never looked back. doTerra Essential Oils is a natural choice for me. It complements my lifestyle in a wonderful way. I recently signed on as a Wellness Advocate for doTERRA, and I am very excited about this opportunity to share my experience with using these amazing essential oils, and hopefully help influence others to take charge of their health with this natural alternative. Click here to find out more about doTERRA Essential Oils and to try them for yourself. I will be talking more about doTERRA in great detail in a future post, so please watch for that.

I have enjoyed sharing 5 things that I am really into. Let me just add that I am REALLY into YOU the readers, commenters and followers of The Naked Decorator. Your support means the world to me

Now it’s your turn! What are some of the things you are into?

Have a fabulous Friday and an amazing weekend! It’s finally Spring, so get out there and do something fun this weekend!

Be Inspired!

Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com