This Designer Inherited Dreamy Floor Tile When She Found Her Mexico City Home

The author shares her ongoing fascination with tiled floors, a passion that has influenced the decor of every home she has owned. This deep-seated affection began in East London, where she drew inspiration from the vibrant mosaic patterns seen on local mosques. For her first 'forever home,' she invested in custom-designed Moroccan mosaic tiles from Habibi, emphasizing their beauty and the significant statement they made, despite the unexpected costs associated with specialist tilers and the eventual realization that the home was not permanent. The author describes the aesthetic appeal and the personal attachment she developed to these unique, handcrafted tiles. Following this experience, her next home featured an earthy terracotta parquet floor from Floors of Stone, laid in a herringbone pattern. These tiles, hand-made and dried on Portuguese roofs, possessed charming imperfections, including visible paw prints and bird footprints, which the author deliberately highlighted during installation. While acknowledging that the uneven surface was not ideal for pristine cleanliness, she appreciated how it effectively concealed the daily mess of a household with animals and children, aligning with her preference for old, uneven, and uniquely patinated finishes, often to the dismay of professional tradesmen. Currently residing in a Somerset Long House, her latest home, she has embraced a different approach due to budgetary constraints. Unlike previous residences where major renovations were planned, this home, despite its charm and occasional leaks, requires a slower, more budget-conscious transformation. The existing kitchen floor, a practical yet aesthetically unappealing industrial grey speckled lino, reminds her of a veterinary clinic, a stark contrast to her dream of artful, handmade tiles from Otto Tiles or reclaimed encaustic tiles from Bert and May. These dream tiles, while beautiful, are currently impractical and financially out of reach. To satisfy her 'tile habit' without breaking the bank, the author has devised a creative, temporary solution: tiling the kitchen windowsill. She plans to use colorful, handcrafted Mexican tiles from Milagros, drawn to a minty green crackle-surfaced, antique-looking option. This small-scale project involves painting the existing dark brown woodwork in a pea green eggshell finish and then tiling the windowsill. This approach allows her to introduce color and pattern into the kitchen, drawing attention to these beloved tiles, without incurring the significant expense of a full floor installation. The windowsill project serves as a tangible, real-life Pinterest board, offering a taste of the impractical, yet desired, tiles she hopes to install more extensively in the future, while she continues to expand her collection of tile samples and daydream about a perfectly imperfect kitchen floor. #HomeRenovation #KitchenDesign #DIYProjects #BudgetDecorating #TileInspiration #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #CreativeSolutions #PatternedTiles

In 2021, graphic designer Victoria Herrera purchased her first home, a 900-square-foot apartment in Mexico City's Condesa neighborhood, with the intention of using it part-time and renting it out on Airbnb. The apartment's square layout with a central courtyard and numerous large windows, providing natural light in every room, were significant selling points. The existing architecture featured rounded elements, such as arched doorways and curved wall-to-ceiling transitions, which Herrera appreciated for their soft aesthetic against the industrial windows. Major renovations, including electrical and plumbing updates, had already been completed by the previous owners, allowing Herrera to focus her budget on decorating and selecting paint colors. Herrera aimed to infuse her home with a warm atmosphere that celebrated Mexican heritage, culture, and her Catholic upbringing. This inspiration led her to choose a yellow limewash for the bedroom walls, reminiscent of traditional Catholic convent walls. The apartment's entryway and hallway featured striking blue and black floor tiles. Although initially hesitant about these tiles, Herrera found that their integrated feel eventually inspired her to embrace bold color choices in other areas of the apartment. Her design philosophy successfully merges vintage and modern elements, exemplified by pairing a contemporary tulip table with antique chairs. A significant portion of Herrera's furnishing process involved frequent visits to Lagunilla Market, a large weekly furniture, vintage, and flea market in Mexico City. Over three months, she diligently explored the market every Sunday, learning how to navigate the vast array of goods, negotiate prices, and identify unique pieces. She developed a keen eye for spotting hidden treasures, often revisiting stalls multiple times to discover items that initially went unnoticed. Her finds included old artwork from Catholic convents, which contributed to the sense of tradition and beauty she sought to incorporate into her home. Beyond Lagunilla Market, Herrera also sourced items from other local establishments in Mexico City, such as El Resplandor Vidrio for blown glass, Pericon for artisan pottery, and Utilitario Mexicano for market-inspired decor and kitchenware. She also demonstrated creative resourcefulness, making custom throw pillows for the beds from "jerga" fabric, a common, inexpensive material typically used for cleaning, which she repurposed due to its graphic stripes and diverse color options. Among her most cherished market discoveries was a sun sculpture, initially found hidden in a pile of junk, which a friend later identified as a collectible Emaus Talleres piece. After completing the design, Herrera's plan to rent the apartment on Airbnb was put into action for about a year. However, she ultimately realized that she had furnished the space not as a temporary rental, but as a deeply personal home designed for her own living. This realization led her to move into the apartment herself, acknowledging that her design choices were intrinsically tailored to her own preferences and lifestyle rather than those of short-term tenants. #HomeTour #MexicoCityDesign #VintageDecor #SecondhandFinds #InteriorDesign #CulturalInspiration #GraphicDesignerHome #CondesaApartment

Amy Mitchell, a New Hampshire-based interior designer and owner of Home Glow Design, discusses her unconventional path into the design industry and her unique business approach centered around the concept of a 'forever home.' Initially pursuing a career as an opera singer, Mitchell transitioned through PR and marketing before discovering her passion for interior design, inspired by her childhood home's emphasis on quality and lasting design. Her parents, despite a blue-collar budget, invested in well-made furniture, instilling in her a belief that one's environment significantly impacts emotional well-being and that thoughtful purchases should endure. Mitchell's personal journey of decorating her own 'forever home' in New Hampshire highlighted a gap in the market: clients who desire quality and character in their interiors but aren't looking to spend exorbitant amounts or engage in frequent, trendy makeovers. She observed that many homeowners, particularly those in their 30s and 40s in her region, become disillusioned with disposable furniture as their families grow. These clients are ready to invest wisely but often lack the guidance to create cohesive, high-quality spaces. This realization led her to establish Home Glow Design, catering to this mid-priced market segment. Her services are designed to help clients make informed, long-term decisions about their homes. One notable offering is the 'Forever Home Road Map,' an online consultation service. This program helps clients align their personal style with their home's architectural style, especially when the two might seem disparate. It also addresses budget constraints by assisting clients in prioritizing spaces and creating a multi-year spending plan to achieve their design goals without feeling overwhelmed. This approach reflects Mitchell's own experience of renovating her home room by room over several years, guided by a clear vision. The Road Map aims to provide clients with a solid foundation and initial ideas for their priority spaces, enabling them to confidently tackle subsequent rooms. Mitchell also offers 'Forever Room Design Master Plans,' which she describes as a more personalized version of e-design, moving beyond the 'cookie-cutter' aesthetic often associated with such services. She emphasizes sourcing from a diverse range of suppliers, including trade brands and online resources, and provides detailed presentations and source lists. For clients who prefer hands-on project management, this service offers comprehensive guidance. For those seeking a fully managed experience, her 'Full-Service Design' option handles all aspects of a project. Operating in a rural New Hampshire setting presents unique challenges, such as limited access to design centers and manufacturer representatives. Mitchell compensates for this by relying on self-education, networking with metropolitan designers, and her blog, 'The Saturday Blog.' The blog, which she consistently updated for four years, has been instrumental in establishing her authority, sharing tips on investing in quality, and fostering a 'forever mentality' among readers. She uses it to address common homeowner dilemmas, such as updating knotty pine paneling without erasing a home's history, encouraging readers to balance personal style with architectural integrity. Mitchell also navigates the local 'Yankee frugality' mindset, where people often prioritize cost-saving over quality or aesthetic appeal. She combats this by emphasizing the long-term value of investing in durable, well-designed pieces and the positive impact a thoughtfully curated home has on emotional well-being. She advises clients to overcome 'money guilt' associated with discarding old, unloved items, viewing such decisions as sunk costs that free them to create a home they truly enjoy. Her pricing model, involving an hourly rate and a markup on products, is explained as a way to provide clients with high-quality results within their budget, while also covering the inherent risks and administrative efforts involved in sourcing and managing design elements. She reflects on her personal growth, prioritizing her family life and client satisfaction over an endless pursuit of more credentials or industry accolades, finding contentment in helping clients create homes they love. #InteriorDesign #HomeGlowDesign #ForeverHome #NewHampshireDesign #DesignBusiness #Edesign #HomeRenovation #YankeeFrugality

Ceramic tiles offer a versatile and colorful alternative to standard home decor elements, moving beyond traditional applications like kitchen backsplashes and bathroom floors. This design approach integrates tiles into various aspects of home decoration, providing opportunities for personalization and artistic expression throughout a living space. For instance, ceramic tile house numbers introduce a vibrant and distinctive facade to a home, contrasting with conventional options and complementing other ceramic elements in exterior design. Functional ceramic pieces, such as trays, combine utility with aesthetic appeal, making them practical additions to any room. These items serve a dual purpose by offering both visual interest and everyday functionality. Similarly, ceramic plant stakes with playful sayings or designs, like those encouraging watering, infuse a touch of whimsy into plant displays, whether indoors or outdoors. This thoughtful integration of ceramic art elevates mundane items into decorative statements. Decorative ceramic tiles can be collected over time and displayed as an evolving art collection, particularly in spaces like kitchens where they can be appreciated daily. Many such pieces are sourced from specialized galleries, allowing homeowners to curate a unique and personal collection that reflects their taste. The flexibility of ceramic art also extends to wall decor, where framed tile murals featuring nature themes or other motifs add a unique dimension and texture to walls, transforming them into focal points. Beyond standalone pieces, ceramic art is incorporated into more permanent installations, exemplified by custom tile fireplaces. These installations serve as central features in a home, reflecting the homeowner's individual style and the artist's craftsmanship. The permanence of such installations is often cited by artists as a rewarding aspect of their work, allowing their creations to become integral parts of a living environment. Artists like Laurie Eisenhardt specialize in creating unique ceramic pieces that blend functionality with a whimsical, fairytale-like aesthetic. Her work includes intricate welcome signs and wall sculptures that incorporate practical elements such as vases, adding both color and texture through floral arrangements. Eisenhardt also demonstrates a layered approach to decorating by displaying her work alongside other ceramic accents, creating dynamic visual arrangements. In her own home, she mixes tiles from various artists, including framed Motawi pieces and mosaic tiles by Marcia Hovland, to create a rich and eclectic display. Another example of personalized tile integration is seen in ceramic nightlights with intricate cutouts, such as those depicting landmarks like the Mackinac Bridge. These pieces offer a subtle yet engaging source of light and decoration. Tiles with regional themes also make thoughtful gifts, especially for hosts in areas like northern Michigan, providing a locally inspired souvenir or decorative item. Ceramic flower frogs further exemplify how small ceramic pieces can add flair to floral arrangements, whether used in indoor vases or outdoor planters. For homeowners, collecting decorative tiles over time allows for the gradual development of an extensive and personalized collection. This approach can be seen in homes where tiles gathered over years are displayed together, contributing to a unique and evolving decor. This highlights the adaptability of ceramic art in creating a home environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply personal. #CeramicTiles #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #TileArt #FunctionalArt #PersonalizedHome #WallDecor #ArtisticInstallations #WhimsicalDesign

The article describes the transformation of an old Mexican house into an artist's retreat for financial adviser Dorsey Gardner, located in San Miguel de Allende. Gardner initially sought a small studio but acquired a significantly larger 19th-century cottage, which was later expanded to 12,000 square feet. The property, built in the late 1700s, was surrounded by high walls and presented several challenges. Upon acquiring the property, Gardner faced initial issues, including a dense "cactus farm" on the premises. Hundreds of cacti, including a large candelabra cactus, were carefully relocated. The house also featured numerous false ceilings installed in the 1950s in its oldest section, which architect Sebastian Zavala removed to restore the original height and appearance of the rooms. Zavala also enhanced some ceilings with grand wooden crossbeams and refinished existing 1950s wood doors and windows with a light whitewash. During the renovation, a hand-painted frieze in the primary bedroom was uncovered and preserved. Gardner, who had previously undertaken remodeling projects on his own homes in Boston, entrusted the design of this Mexican property to Zavala and Paris-born, San Miguel–based designer Anne-Marie Midy. Gardner expressed a preference for a neutral aesthetic, distinct from traditional Mexican decor. He provided the designers with inspiration from magazines and gave them "carta blanca" for the project before embarking on an extended trip. Midy, along with her partner Jorge Almada, founded Casa Midy, a design firm specializing in furniture and accessories. Gardner's house became their first major interior design project. He had discovered Midy and Almada at their former bistro, Plum, known for its distinctive all-purple decor, which Midy noted was an effective way to attract clients. Zavala converted the original structure into a three-bedroom, five-bathroom artist's retreat, maintaining the house's Spanish Colonial architectural elements, stone walls, and archways. He added a spacious studio and installed robust columns on the patio, using locally quarried stone. A new second-floor guest room was also added, offering views of the 17th-century parish church's Gothic-style tower, an 1880 addition inspired by European postcards. Midy and Almada adhered to Gardner's request for a more understated Mexican interior design. They avoided extensive use of decorative elements like talavera tiles, except for a minimal application in the kitchen, and chose muted colors. However, they integrated rich local decorative resources, using jute from Yucatán for curtains, linens from local cotton mills, and furniture sourced from regional antiques shops. Even the traditional lime-and-pigment paint was mixed with San Miguel dirt to achieve a warmer tone. Midy and Almada also designed furniture and accessories for the house, such as iron sconces, a leather cocktail table, and bed linens. They collaborated with Zavala to create trench-like fountains inspired by hacienda horse troughs. The project concluded after a year, with Gardner expressing immense satisfaction, declaring the house fit for a king. #MexicanDesign #ArtistStudio #SanMiguelDeAllende #HomeRenovation #InteriorDesign #SpanishColonial #ArchitecturalRestoration #CasaMidy #LuxuryHome

Twin Cities interior designer Emily Pueringer views tile not merely as a decorative finish but as a medium for storytelling, a perspective she developed from a young age. Her childhood home's red tile countertops and Mexican Saltillo floors, which even featured tiny kitty paw prints, instilled in her an early appreciation for the imperfections and unique character that can be embedded in a home's design. This early exposure to the soul and story within architectural elements continues to influence her design philosophy today. Pueringer's professional journey further solidified her expertise and passion for tile. After college, she worked at a high-end plumbing and tile showroom in Denver, immersing herself in a world of exquisite tiles. This experience was followed by a role at Mercury Mosaics in Minneapolis, where she gained a deeper understanding of the artistic and manufacturing processes behind handmade tiles. Subsequently, a position at Kohler enhanced her technical knowledge, providing her with a comprehensive appreciation that blends both artistic and practical aspects of tile design. Currently, tile is a significant component in almost all her projects, and it remains one of the most enjoyable aspects of her work. In an interview, Pueringer elaborated on her enthusiasm for tile, describing it as the convergence of art and utility. She highlights its tactile, enduring, and expressive qualities, emphasizing its potential to convey a narrative. This narrative can be personal, such as a handpainted motif that holds special meaning for a client, or contextual, like a color palette that reflects the surrounding natural environment. For Pueringer, thoughtfully selected tile becomes an integral part of the home's architecture, weaving a story into its very fabric. Her approach to using tile has evolved from purely decorative to one that treats it as an heirloom—a timeless element that appears to have always belonged and will continue to endure. She is particularly drawn to tiles with imperfect edges, painterly glazes, and artisanal craftsmanship, favoring selections that are quieter yet richer in texture and depth. Her current focus is on evoking a sense of feeling and patina rather than relying solely on patterns. While she generally avoids fleeting trends, she appreciates the current resurgence of textured, earthy, handmade tiles, and a preference for muted, natural palettes and materials that feel grounded and storied. This aligns perfectly with her design philosophy of creating soulful spaces. For homeowners looking to make a statement with tile, Pueringer advises starting by defining the desired mood for the space—whether it's grounded, romantic, playful, or old-world. She stresses that tile's impact goes beyond color or shape; it's about the emotion it evokes. She also encourages embracing irregularity, noting that the 'wabi-sabi' charm of handmade tiles brings a warmth and authenticity that machine-made alternatives cannot replicate. For those unsure where to begin, she suggests starting with a small area, such as a powder room backsplash, a hearth, or a pantry wall, and allowing the design to expand organically from there. Pueringer also emphasizes the collaborative nature of tile work, involving the designer, maker, and installer, considering it a magical process when all three elements are harmoniously aligned. She views tile as a timeless way to infuse beauty and permanence into a home. #EmilyPueringerDesignStudio #InteriorDesign #TileDesign #HandmadeTile #HomeDecor #DesignPhilosophy #ArtisanCraftsmanship

This article highlights how designer Suzanne Costa transformed four units in the Parkview at Cambier development, all sharing the same 3,900-plus-square-foot floor plan, into distinct living spaces tailored to each homeowner's unique taste. Costa's initial work involved selecting hand-poured Kinon Surface Design panels for cabinetry and Cambria quartz surfaces, among other high-end finishes. The subsequent challenge arose from the diverse preferences of the well-traveled and culturally astute clients, each desiring a personalized interior. The design process involved an artistic collaboration, with Costa working to integrate existing art collections and homeowner aesthetics into the uniform layouts. For units 201 and 202, she cataloged homeowners' art to inspire design motifs. For unit 301, Costa incorporated the client's appreciation for nature and local art, helping him build a collection of vibrant, biophilic works from Naples artists. Across all units, art served as a central theme, influencing material choices, color palettes, and the overall mood. The prevalence of white walls and a strong emphasis on lighting were consistent features, creating gallery-like settings. Custom kitchen cabinetry, designed by Marcus Jelley and inspired by Japanese pottery, provided a unifying element across the units, yet Costa's approach allowed for significant personalization. Unit 301, dubbed "Where Nature and Art Collide," features a top-floor design rooted in local Naples art, with pieces by Juan Carlos Collada, Tom Manziano, and Diane Whiting. Collada’s *Let the Sun Shine* greets guests in the foyer, while his sculptural totem blurs the lines between natural and man-made elements. The condo heavily utilizes wood, with dark tones like high-gloss rosewood adding a "rich, smoky opulence," contrasting with typical coastal light hues. A custom wine and bourbon bar with Cristallo quartzite, salmon Kravet chairs, and a Vanguard bed with Kelly Wearstler fabric contribute to a luxurious yet natural ambiance. The lanai patio extends this natural theme with a live-edge dining table and cedar ceiling details, reflecting Southwest Florida's sandy palette. Unit 202, titled "The Old World Goes Contemporary," presented the challenge of merging diverse elements from world-traveling owners, including Balinese carvings, Parisian oil paintings, and heirloom furniture, into a cohesive contemporary design. The great room blends a hand-woven Pakistani rug with a Kravet acrylic coffee table and a curved sofa. A stone fireplace displays Asian objets d’art and Murano glass sculptures. Costa meticulously staged the client’s global art collection, using elements like an intricately carved piece on tigerwood shelving and a sustainable fiber wallpaper. The Luxe Light & Home PIRELLI Chandelier 30 in the foyer exemplifies the focus on lighting to highlight artwork. The office combines Parisian oil paintings with an antique desk. The primary bedroom evokes Art Deco glamour with crystal pendant lighting, Spanish hand-embroidered Gianti drapery, and a Kravet Versailles velvet bed in turquoise blue, complementing gold-framed paintings, notably *Romeo and Juliet* from Azerbaijan. Finally, unit 201, a "Black-and-White and Bespoke All Over" design, caters to a Canadian homeowner's modern art and masculine aesthetic. This unit features extensive black wall coverings and large backdrops for a spectacular art collection, contrasted with white furnishings and finishes. The foyer immediately establishes this contrast with an ivory-white grand piano set against white-on-black abstract figurative works. The dining area includes black Phillip Jeffries wall coverings with a technicolor abstract expressionist painting by Arthur Potts. White cerused oak kitchen cabinets by Marcus Jelley and white fabric Barbara Barry chairs maintain the minimalist color scheme, while the painting adds dynamic flair. The bedroom introduces novel neutrals and rich mauve velvet drapery by Kravet. Costa collaborated with Toronto-based furniture designer David Powell to create custom swivel chairs for the bedroom, aligning with the client's lifestyle. Throughout the two-year project, Costa's bespoke detailing and deep understanding of her clients resulted in distinctly personalized spaces. #HomeDesign #InteriorDesign #SuzanneCosta #LuxuryCondos #ArtIntegration #CustomInteriors #NaplesFlorida #ModernArt #GlobalInspiredDesign

Mexican design firm Simon Hamui was commissioned to create bespoke furniture and millwork for AdH House, a minimalist two-story home in Mexico City designed by Francesc Rifé Studio. The home, located in the residential Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood, features a dark grey facade and black aluminum shutters. Simon Hamui's task was to complement the existing contemporary architecture and interior, which was finished with cream-colored walls, natural stone, and wood surfaces, while also integrating the owners' art collection and amplifying their lifestyle. In the living room, Simon Hamui designed a custom coffee table and matching bench using honed, grand antique marble and starphire glass. These pieces are distinguished by sculptural solid brass legs and an integrated quartzite lamp that also serves as a support for the glass tabletop. The same quartzite used in the coffee table is repeated in the adjacent bar mirrors, and the aged brass detailing is also incorporated into the bar's base, creating a cohesive aesthetic throughout the space. A key architectural element in the dining room is a slatted screen divider. This divider features an aged brass frame, smoked glass, and thin wood slats, providing privacy for the dining area while still allowing natural light to penetrate. An aged eucalyptus wood console with a grey quartzite countertop and brass accents is seamlessly integrated into this room divider on the dining room side. The dining table mirrors these material choices with a stone top and removable smoked eucalyptus extensions, allowing for versatility in accommodating larger gatherings or serving as decorative consoles. The house also features a glass-walled, temperature-controlled wine cellar. Within this space, rectangular display cases made from starphire glass showcase wine bottles on inset satin aluminum racks, illuminated by integrated LED lighting. The design emphasizes a pure display of the bottles, arranged to create a rhythmic, tapestry-like visual element that enhances the exterior view and invites closer inspection. A Grigio Carnico marble table within the cellar provides a functional surface for small entertaining events. Responding to the evolving needs of the homeowners, a study was added after the home's initial completion, designed by Hamui in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This office space is conceived as a functional wooden box, with walls and ceiling clad in eucalyptus. Micro-perforations and sound insulation were incorporated to ensure privacy and optimal working conditions. The study includes a floor-to-ceiling bookcase lined with suede leather and brass details, complemented by an angular, stainless steel chandelier by Barcelona designer Jaime Tresserra. In the family room, a large figured eucalyptus bookcase with brass bookstands and LED lighting is built into the wall behind the sofa. This bookcase displays a textured Jason Martin painting and antique atlases. On the opposite side of the room, a millwork unit houses a television and a desk, further demonstrating Hamui's comprehensive approach to integrated furniture design. #MexicoCity #InteriorDesign #CustomFurniture #MinimalistDesign #LuxuryInteriors #FrancescRifeStudio #SimonHamui #ResidentialDesign #BespokeMillwork

The author explores how international travel, specifically a trip to Mexico City, can significantly influence and inspire new decorating ideas for the home. The article highlights that design inspiration doesn't necessitate grand transformations, but rather can manifest in subtle changes or the appreciation of everyday elements observed during travel. The trip to Mexico City, though brief, provided a wealth of creative energy by focusing on various design aspects encountered in the urban landscape. One key takeaway from Mexico City was the vibrant "Urban Jungle" aesthetic, characterized by a lively interplay between natural and urban elements. The city's parks, sidewalks, and apartment balconies are abundantly filled with lush greenery, demonstrating how nature can be integrated into everyday city living. This observation inspired the author to consider how natural elements could be similarly incorporated into her own home, even within an urban environment like St. Louis, emphasizing that an urban setting does not preclude having nature present in daily life. The concept of "Lighten Up" was another significant design inspiration. The buildings in Mexico City are often designed to maximize natural light through features like courtyards and skylights, with interior decor and furniture thoughtfully arranged to complement this illumination. While the author's home may lack these specific architectural features, the principle of maximizing natural light by opening shades and utilizing existing windows was a valuable insight. This suggests an emphasis on enhancing the inherent light sources within one's living space. "Color Is Everywhere" describes the city's bold and subtle use of vibrant colors. This included colorful accents throughout the city and, notably, the tinted old wooden floors in the Museo Ramón López Velarde. The author's observation led to the realization that incorporating more color into home decor can be a fun and expressive endeavor, encouraging a playful approach to interior design. Finally, the article delves into "Wall Art" and unconventional framing. A visit to the Museo Kaluz, dedicated to Mexican art, revealed not only inspiring artwork but also unique wall treatments. The author particularly noted the textured wall in a stairwell and the _trompe l’oeil_ technique used in the adjoining cafe, where wallpaper mimicked bookshelves. This sparked the idea of exploring similar illusionistic techniques and less conventional ways to frame art or decorate walls within her own home, moving beyond traditional and expected framing methods. Overall, the blog post underscores how travel can broaden one's design perspective and provide practical, creative ideas for personalizing living spaces.

Galerias El Triunfo, a prominent Mexican home decor chain, has established itself as a purveyor of unique and often outlandish items across its 47 branches nationwide, with 19 located in Mexico City alone. The store, which began as a small crafts retailer 50 years ago, was founded by Don Fermín, who was described by community manager Ricardo López as a visionary. Fermín's approach involved seeking out distinctive international items as Mexico's borders opened to international commerce, resulting in a product range that spans from conventional household goods to highly unusual decorative pieces. The store's extensive inventory is designed to cater to various spaces, including homes, offices, hotels, restaurants, bars, and event venues. Shoppers can find practical items alongside highly eccentric pieces like a toilet with an integrated sink that reuses wastewater for flushing, or a two-meter-high heel-shaped pot. This eclectic mix, driven by a philosophy of following fashion trends and offering innovative designs, aims to provide customers with items that make their spaces unique and memorable. The distinctive and often whimsical nature of Galerias El Triunfo's products has garnered significant attention on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. A popular trend, "POV: Shopping at Galerías El Triunfo," features users humorously showcasing the store's more bizarre offerings, with skits depicting shoppers requesting improbable items and employees readily producing them. This trend highlights the store's reputation for having an item for every imaginable, no matter how unusual, decorative need. Despite the focus on its quirkier products in social media, Galerias El Triunfo maintains significant commercial success. It is ranked among the top five businesses in Mexico's "retail trade of articles for interior decoration" sector, a market that generated 3.37 trillion pesos (US $1.81 billion) in 2024, according to INEGI, Mexico's statistics agency. The chain's continued growth and popularity indicate a broad appeal among Mexican consumers, who appreciate its diverse and often surprising selection. Ricardo López emphasizes the store's mission to continuously introduce new items and "make Mexico a more beautiful place" by astonishing customers and enabling them to transform their spaces or events into something spectacular. This commitment ensures that whether customers are planning a party, wedding, or quinceañera, Galerias El Triunfo is likely to offer not only the expected but also unexpected and extraordinary decorative elements, from unicorn figurines to baroque chandeliers. This approach underscores the store’s role as a cultural phenomenon in Mexican retail, blending utility with a sense of playful extravagance. #GaleriasElTriunfo #HomeDecor #MexicanRetailers #KitschyDesign #InteriorDecoration #SocialMediaTrends #RetailIndustry #MexicoLiving

Interior designer Galeana Younger transformed a 1929 cottage in San Antonio's historic Monte Vista neighborhood into "Casita Chica," a home tailored for her 77-year-old mother, Chica. Despite the house's faded original luster, Galeana saw its potential, embarking on a renovation that prioritized her mother's vibrant personality and Mexican heritage over resale value. The initial design choice was to convert the 1,666-square-foot house into a one-bedroom with 1.5 bathrooms, a layout Chica embraced, stating her intention to live there indefinitely. The renovation emphasized custom millwork throughout the library, kitchen, and pantry to accommodate Chica's extensive collections and treasures accumulated over a lifetime. Galeana champions built-in features for their functionality and aesthetic contribution. The home is characterized by bold colors, rich patterns, and layered textures, creating an inviting and dynamic atmosphere. Vintage items and family heirlooms are seamlessly integrated with new or reupholstered furniture, blending historical significance with contemporary comfort. Each room in Casita Chica showcases unique design elements. The entry foyer features a celadon Osborne and Little wallpaper print, a cherished item Chica had kept for decades, and a gold star motif echoed by an art installation from a church in Puebla, Mexico. A family heirloom, a red dresser nicknamed the “triple casket,” was updated with a marble top. The living room, designed for conversation, boasts a cheerful color scheme, a Persian rug from Chica's father, and armchairs re-covered in fabrics by Manuel Canovas and Christopher Farr. A vintage bar cart, fitted with circus-like wheels, and a skeleton souvenir from Cuernavaca, Mexico, named "Kelly, the Skelly," add eclectic touches. The kitchen is a vibrant space with four different tile patterns and an almost electric yellow paint, designed to be fun and lively. Space was borrowed from a back bedroom to create a pantry. The former breakfast room was converted into a bar and seating area, complete with custom cabinetry for storage and a display of orchids, Mexican pottery, and fresh fruit. The dining room features scenic Manuel Canovas wallpaper, complementing Chica's existing furniture and art, including an Old English chest and a rosewood dining set from her parents. A “Madonna and Child” artwork and a crystal chandelier enhance the room's Old World elegance, while gold foil and pink archway motifs by the late artist Gregorio Mannino add a personalized touch. The powder room stands out with its "Everyday Lips" wallpaper by Voutsa and red velvet doors, creating a playful, immersive experience. It includes a vintage mirror, Signature Hardware vanity, and Kohler plumbing fixtures. The bedroom was designed as a regal retreat for Chica, incorporating a curtain and canopy in fabrics by Manuel Canovas, Clarke and Clarke, and Texture Fabrics. The custom headboard was crafted by Ray’s Upholstery using Schumacher fabric. A vintage lamp from Oaxaca, Mexico, and bedding by Matouk and Sferra complete the luxurious feel. Finally, an extra bedroom was repurposed into a "Cloffice"—a combined closet and office space with integrated laundry units. Custom cabinets store a variety of items, including Chica’s extensive collection of huipiles and traditional Mexican costumes. The cabinet doors, painted in Behr’s “Heart Breaker” pink, feature bamboo molding from Osborne Wood and hardware from Etsy, reflecting Chica's passion for Mexican art and textiles. #InteriorDesign #HomeRenovation #HouseTour #EclecticDecor #MexicanHeritage #CustomMillwork #VibrantColors #FamilyHeirlooms #SanAntonio

Susan Alexandra, known for its vibrant and beaded accessories, has opened a new store in New York City's Lower East Side, offering a colorful and whimsical retail experience. The store's design, spearheaded by founder Susan Korn in collaboration with Lula Galeano of Studio Galeon and Levi Shaw-Faber of Wiggle Room, transforms the space into a 'pigmented oasis' that draws inspiration from playful, retro aesthetics like '80s roller rinks, watermelons, and bananas. This design ethos extends beyond a mere shopping destination, providing a source of innovative and bold home decor inspiration that can be adapted for various personal styles. The store's exterior immediately captures attention with its bright yellow facade, setting the tone for the interior's vibrant color palette and unique architectural elements. One notable feature is the beaded banana door handle, a whimsical detail that exemplifies the brand's playful approach. Inside, the design incorporates several distinct elements that can be translated into residential settings. For instance, colored-glass bricks are used to create custom archways, room partitions, and corner tables, introducing a burst of color and a disco-like ambiance while minimizing the need for traditional wall hangings. This approach suggests an alternative to conventional wall decor, using structural elements to infuse color and light into a space. Another design technique highlighted in the store is color-blocking the ceiling and the top quarter of the walls, a concept referred to as 'Accent Wall 2.0.' This method creates a dynamic feel in any room and can be further enhanced by painting accent shelves and cubby spaces to match, integrating storage with the overall color scheme. The use of mosaics, described as a supersized version of Susan Alexandra's beaded bags, is prevalent throughout the store. Multicolored tiles in various shapes and sizes are employed to craft custom images and patterns, effectively embedding visuals directly into the walls, offering a creative alternative to wallpaper or paint for personalization. Lighting also plays a significant role in the store's design, featuring bespoke elements such as giant fruit sconces and intricate beaded chandeliers. While these are custom creations, the article suggests that antique and modern lighting fixtures can serve a similar purpose in residential interiors, introducing interesting colors and silhouettes that act as bold decorative choices. An example provided is the Matin wall sconce from Hay, illustrating how specific lighting pieces can contribute to a space's overall aesthetic. These design choices collectively offer a blueprint for homeowners looking to incorporate vivid colors, unique textures, and playful elements into their living spaces, moving away from neutral palettes toward more expressive and personalized interiors. #StoreDesign #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #ColorBlocking #MosaicTiles #LightingDesign #RetailSpace #SusanAlexandra #NewYorkCity

Kacey Primer, the owner and founder of Marietta-based interior design firm 26th & Oregon, brings a unique blend of function and personality to family homes. Ten years ago, Primer, a Texas native, felt a calling for a fresh start, leading her and her partner, Michelle, to move from Milwaukee to Cobb County. This decision marked a new chapter, allowing Primer to pursue her long-held dream of becoming an interior designer. The couple quickly established their business in 2015, with Kacey focusing on design concepts and Michelle managing project execution and contractor coordination. The firm's name, 26th & Oregon, pays homage to the Milwaukee streets where they first met two decades ago, symbolizing their enduring partnership in both life and business. 26th & Oregon offers a comprehensive range of bespoke design services, including full-service renovations, home refreshers, consultations, e-designs, and a curated online shop. The firm caters to a diverse clientele with varying design preferences, from traditional to maximalist and mid-century modern styles. While Kacey has experience in both commercial and residential projects, her specialty lies in single-family homes. Her design philosophy emphasizes creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing spaces, incorporating eclectic details and unexpected charm to make homes feel uniquely lived-in and cherished. Primer describes her personal style as contemporary with a modern flair, often featuring whimsical pops of color, bold artwork, and upholstered accent chairs, all while ensuring that family homes can be both stylish and practical. A core belief for Primer is that everyone deserves a beautiful home, regardless of their lifestyle. Primer's inspiration is primarily drawn from her clients' aspirations for their spaces, paying close attention to minor details such as art collections or even shoe choices to visualize a design that perfectly aligns with their aesthetic desires. She embraces each new project as an opportunity for creative exploration, keeping up with the latest design trends through social media, publications, and home markets, though always adapting them to suit her clients' individual preferences. Primer also encourages clients to venture beyond their comfort zones, subtly introducing elements of the 26th & Oregon aesthetic, even for those who prefer a minimalist approach, through accents like rugs or art pieces. Her creative foundation was built in a childhood home filled with DIY projects and artistic endeavors, influenced by her mother's passion for home improvements and her late father, radio legend Bobby O’Jay's, entrepreneurial spirit and eloquence. These influences instilled in her a natural inclination for self-expression through design and business. Initially viewing interior design as a hobby, Primer's confidence grew through personal home renovations and collaborations with contractors. Her experience in event planning, which involved transforming spaces with unique themes, solidified her vision for a full-time career in design. Looking ahead, Primer aims to expand 26th & Oregon, planning to take on more commercial projects and establish a brick-and-mortar store in the coming years. She envisions the business as a family legacy, to be passed down to future generations. Primer also highlights the connection between interior design and mental well-being, believing that comfortable and beautiful living spaces contribute to a better quality of life. She intends to evolve 26th & Oregon into a broader lifestyle and wellness brand, all while remaining focused on her own path and avoiding comparisons, underscoring the importance of forging one's unique journey in entrepreneurship. Primer offers practical tips for homeowners looking to elevate their spaces, including advice on curtain styling, minimizing glass decor, decluttering, organizing throws, embracing negative space, and experimenting with furniture paint and hardware upgrades. Additionally, she suggests DIY hacks for a luxurious look, such as adding trim to soft furnishings, upgrading cabinet hardware and switch plates, layering lighting, creating custom accent pillows, mixing old and new decor, and using art frame TVs or custom frames for existing televisions to display art, along with layering rugs for a sophisticated touch. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #KaceyPrimer #26thAndOregon #Marietta #EclecticDesign #FunctionalHomes #DIYHome #DesignTips

House Beautiful has launched a new collection of ceramic wall and floor tiles in collaboration with Homebase, offering an on-trend and affordable way for homeowners to update their living spaces. The collection features a timeless palette of versatile shades, including deep greys, chalky blues, warm ochres, and soft pinks, designed to complement various interior styles. Ian Penney, Business Unit Director for Room Solutions at Homebase, highlights that tiling is an effective method for a simple refresh, noting that the new range includes diverse patterns, bright shades, and bolder colors in various shapes and sizes. He emphasizes that tiles are an excellent way to introduce character into kitchens and bathrooms. The collection includes two primary lines: The Cube collection and The Aurelia Collection. The Cube collection consists of square porcelain tiles available in two sizes and six finishes. The larger 45 x 45 cm format offers two distinct patterns: 'Windmill' in blue and black, and the monochrome 'Boho.' These richly colored tiles are suggested for high-traffic areas such as entrance hallways or even urban back gardens. The smaller 20 x 20 cm format features a modern 'half and half' pattern with an encaustic effect, creating a chalky matte finish. These tiles provide extensive design flexibility, allowing for symmetrical geometric shapes like diamonds or diagonal patterns. An example showcases blush pink Cube tiles used in a bathroom, beautifully accented with brass. Due to their porcelain composition, these tiles are durable and suitable for any space, including busy kitchens and hallways. Key features of the Cube collection include suitability for both wall and floor applications, interior and exterior use, mix-and-match color options, a slip-resistant finish for enhanced safety, and availability in packs of 7 or 13, with prices starting from £18.20 per pack. The Aurelia Collection features glossy kit kat tiles characterized by a unique glaze finish and textured surface. Available in eight rich colors, from bold kingfisher teal to soft sage green, these 7.5 x 30cm brick-sized tiles are ideal for creating contemporary features. The versatility of kit kat tiles allows for various laying patterns, such as the modern brick bond, which is showcased effectively in warm ochre tones in a kitchen setting. Other patterns like herringbone or chevron can also be achieved. These tiles are compact enough for a neat kitchen splashback yet impactful enough to create an entire feature wall. The Aurelia collection is designed for interior wall use, offering a high-shine impact with its reactive glaze. Like the Cube collection, colors can be mixed and matched. Each pack contains 22 ceramic tiles, priced at £25 per pack. The entire range of tiles is accessible both online and in select Homebase stores, providing convenient options for customers looking to enhance their home decor. #TileCollection #HomebaseTiles #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #WallTiles #FloorTiles #CeramicTiles #KitchenDesign #BathroomDesign

Interior designer Susannah Talley, after moving from a 3,000-square-foot carriage house in Prides Crossing, Massachusetts, downsized to a 475-square-foot studio on the Upper East Side, which she affectionately refers to as her “treehouse.” This transition occurred 27 years ago. In 2008, Talley's experience with small-space living gained an additional dimension when she discovered an abandoned dollhouse and undertook its restoration. This project, detailed in her 2015 self-published book, *The Dollhouse: A Love Story*, became a shared creative endeavor with her husband, Truman “Mac” Talley, during his illness. The living room of Talley’s studio is designed to evoke the ambiance of a country home, featuring family portraits and comfortable chairs arranged around a decorative fireplace. This fireplace ingeniously conceals a flat-screen TV. The armchairs are upholstered in a mixed “Tree of Life” patterned fabric from Jofa, complemented by wall-to-wall carpeting from Patterson, Flynn & Martin. Talley offers practical advice for maximizing small spaces, such as utilizing floor-to-ceiling mirrored walls in strategic locations to create the illusion of greater depth. She emphasizes the importance of selecting furniture that is appropriately scaled for the space, advising against oversized sectional seating due to its potential to overwhelm a room and complicate the placement of reading lamps. Instead, she recommends comfortable club chairs paired with well-positioned reading lamps and movable ottomans over traditional sofas. Upon entering the studio, the inviting decor immediately conveys Talley's expertise in creating beautiful and welcoming environments. A notable design element is the decorative fireplace, which, upon closer inspection, reveals a crackling fire image displayed on a flat-screen TV. Above the fireplace hangs an unsigned family portrait. Talley ingeniously converted a closet space into a functional bar area. This space features checked skirting fabric from Schumacher, wallpaper from Cole and Sons at Jofa, and paint from Farrow & Ball. Talley advocates for varying wall surfaces through different wallpapers and paint colors to create the perception of distinct rooms within a small area. She also prefers wool wall-to-wall carpeting for its ability to hide dirt, eliminating the need for guests to remove their shoes, which she considers an imposition. Another clever design solution within the studio is a functional dressing table integrated into a deep window sill near the bed. This was achieved by inserting a “sandwich of decorative wallpaper within two curved pieces of glass,” with decorative trim providing a finished edge. Hidden right-angle brackets offer structural support for this feature. The dollhouse, found abandoned on the street, was a significant project for Talley. She recounts her immediate connection to the dollhouse, seeing it as an answer to her desire for a creative project. She meticulously sanded away crayon and marker scribbles, drilled holes for lighting using Christmas-tree lights, and painted the exterior a deep eggplant shade to harmonize with her apartment’s decor. Together with her husband, Mac, she embarked on furnishing and decorating the dollhouse’s rooms. Talley sourced miniature items for the dollhouse from The Tiny Dollhouse Store on East 78th Street, acquiring objects like a two-inch dog bed, a thimble-sized bunch of bananas, and a fist-sized baby grand piano. The dollhouse kitchen is meticulously detailed, complete with tiny pots, pans, plates, cookbooks, and a miniature bottle of wine. The dollhouse's boudoir features a black-and-gold japanned bed and matching chairs, a gift from her sister. The walls are adorned with deep pewter-blue damask, and the floor is covered with navy-blue felt serving as wall-to-wall carpeting. A purple cocktail coaster from India was repurposed as a bedspread, and an upside-down beaded votive holder functions as a perfectly scaled bedside table. A painting by Talley’s daughter, Expressionist painter Isabelle Peabody, hangs on the wall. The dollhouse also includes a miniature menagerie of four-legged friends, completing the domestic scene. This project became a poignant and creative outlet, providing a miniature world within their real-life small space. #homeDesign #smallSpaces #interiorDesign #studioApartment #dollhouseRenovation #decoratingTips #creativeLiving #upperEastSide #SusannahTalley

Natural stone company Ca' Pietra has unveiled a new tile collection that draws inspiration from hand-crafted Italian pottery. This collection is designed to instantly transform any room, featuring authentic and eclectic designs with strong shading and tone variations, reminiscent of artisan work. The range offers five distinct styles, each capable of creating a striking aesthetic in a home. The available colors include the vibrant Ocean Blue, the earthy Kale Green, the subtle Khaki Smoke, and the calming Oatmeal and Natural Cotton. These versatile tiles are suitable for both interior walls and floors, as well as exterior wall applications. They come in rectangular and brick formats, providing flexibility in arrangement to suit various design preferences. For those looking to make a bold statement, the 'Ocean Blue' option is recommended, while 'Natural Cotton' is ideal for a softer, more subdued look. Hamish Smith, Creative Director at Ca' Pietra, highlights the unique characteristic of this collection: its inherent irregularities when laid. He encourages embracing these imperfections, as they contribute to a distinctive character and impart a rustic, lived-in feel to spaces. Smith notes that the inspiration for this porcelain tile collection came from a beautiful pottery range discovered in Italy, making it suitable for a wide array of indoor and outdoor wall applications. The five tile designs are currently available for purchase online. To assist customers in making their selection and visualizing how the tiles will appear in their homes, Ca' Pietra offers sample swatches starting from £1. This new collection offers homeowners an opportunity to infuse their living spaces with a touch of hand-crafted elegance and unique charm. #TileCollection #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #CaPietra #PotteryInspired #WallTiles #FloorTiles #RusticVibe #ItalianInfluence