by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Jan 14, 2019 | Inspiring design
Paul Fortune combines noteworthy advice, photos of his sophisticated restrained design work, and witty commentary to make his book, Notes on Decor, etc. worth buying. Before buying a design book these days a peek inside is a must. There are too many books out there...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Jan 5, 2019 | Housekeeping
To contrast the decadence of Christmas, a strict about face is in order beginning with a good cleanse as advised by some wise French grandmothers. A diet of blended green juice is not for me even after a month of champagne and Christmas cookies. A cleanse for the home...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Dec 18, 2018 | Christmas
Some of the best Christmas gifts require little money, lots of time, but display loads of creativity. Extravagance at Christmas is part of what makes it so special. Decadent cookies, cocktails, chocolate are everywhere you turn. Conversely, extravagance can be an...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Dec 8, 2018 | Christmas
Christmas magic used to spill out of shelter magazines inspiring homeowners to celebrate the season by creating beauty and whimsy throughout their homes. November used to mean the arrival of Christmas-themed design magazines. They marked the beginning of the season as...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Dec 1, 2018 | Books
Giving a book is giving inspiration, dreams, escape, and hope that is possible anytime one chooses to simply pull open the cover. There are so many things to love about Christmas. One of the best things is being Santa. As the years have passed shopping is less...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Nov 19, 2018 | Food
A Casa V Thanksgiving reflects Texas roots with gratitude for the state’s influence on my life and its food that has nourished me. After too many years of turkeys and beige bland side dishes my family revolted. Why on this special holiday would we celebrate by...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Oct 29, 2018 | Color inspiration
Adding a touch of gold brings a bit of sun-kissed splendor to a room as if the sun had reached in leaving a piece of golden ray behind. Sometimes a bit of gold is just what is needed. Certain fabrics remind me of this color’s transformative power. Dedar recently...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Oct 22, 2018 | Flair
Laura Lacambra Shubert inspires with her painting talent, quest for knowledge, beautiful home, and festive dinner parties. Flair is defined as stylishness and originality. The second word is the key. Being original requires thought and interjecting one’s point...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Oct 8, 2018 | Gardens
Cocktail gardens create a welcoming space outdoors where one can enjoy nature and satisfy many of the senses. My sister has a favorite garden that she likes to pass on her walk to work. It is a lovely lush garden full of flowers. Pretty as it is, the reason my sister...
by Mary Margaret Vasquez | Sep 26, 2018 | Inspiring design
The Peacock Room should be on the top ten must-see list of any lover of beautiful interiors. Last week while in DC. some unexpected free time led to a visit to the Smithsonian’s Freer Gallery. The jewel there is the incomparable Peacock Room. This room, designed...
