Musings
Explore the various topics which serve as inspiration in creating interiors that are timeless yet memorable. There is a world of beauty to educate and encourage new design shaping Casa V’s work. Spanish architecture, Old Florida, Luis Barragán, Casa del Herrero, fashion, flowers, and hotel design are some of the many subjects explored on this page.
“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cooking with Tile
Tile kitchens are practical while also allowing the overall decor to pervade this utilitarian space. Designing kitchens is tricky. They date quickly. When building or remodeling everyone wants a "current" kitchen. The problem is that "current" lasts approximately ten...
Fabric Magic
Fabric lined walls can transform a ho hum room into one that is incredibly memorable. A room that has been completely lined with fabric is deliciously decadent. A nondescript room can benefit from this exuberant treatment. Typically not every room in a house would be...
Love letter to Sandra
Sandra taught me to see the potential for beauty all around and to not let an opportunity pass to make something extraordinary. My creative family provides constant inspiration. My sister, a graphic designer, is married to a photographer /filmmaker. A cousin is also a...
Flower arrangements Mexican style
Flower arrangements in México are typically loose, exotic, and perfectly suit the fun-loving spirit of the country. One of the many reasons that I enjoy traveling, is to see how people live, eat, decorate, and dress in other countries. When visiting México, I am...
Lone Star state Love
Sending love to my hometown state, the warm, welcoming, stylish, outlandish, and fun Lone Star state of Texas. This was not my intended post for the week, but in light of the recent hurricane that is wreaking havoc on Texas I changed direction. It seems inappropriate...
The Hotel – Casa No Name
Since the death of Deborah Turbeville, her lovely home has found new purpose as The Hotel - Casa No Name that keeps her spirit alive through its sensuous atmosphere. Just before leaving for San Miguel in July, I heard that Casa No Name, the former home of Deborah...
Qurentia Style
Qurentia style developed from a lifetime of experiences from being a teacher, artist, wife, animal lover, and world traveler. Que Throm is my inspiration. She is ageless. Qurentia style is a result of her active mind always learning and exploring. As she is so...
72 hours in San Miguel
Even spending as little as 72 hours in México, one can leave fully satiated by the color, food, fun, and inspiration found there. I adore México. It is my favorite country for many reasons, but most significantly for two. Although I grew up in Texas feeling Mexico's...
Ornament: verb /ôrnə ment/
Ornament is often considered frivolous and old-fashioned today yet beautifully decorated buildings seem to be the ones that provoke oohs and aahs. Ornament: make (something) look more attractive by adding decorative items. Long before Pinterest, I ripped out countless...
Plaster walls: Why don’t we do this anymore?
Plaster walls are beautiful, cool to the touch (important in the hot climate), reflective, and don't require paint. Why did we ever switch to drywall? Drywall looks flat, uninteresting, sounds thin, and screams new. To achieve a seamless addition to an historic home,...
First impressions: A magical entry
A magical entry is made so by being enchanting, a bit coy, and very welcoming. Driving down a street in a modest neighborhood, I discovered a surprising garden creating a magical entry to a very simple house. The sight of this garden made me smile and my jaw drop. The...
Animal inspiration: The Zookeeper’s Wife
The Zookeeper's Wife features stylish sets taking inspiration from the animal residents of the Warsaw zoo. Seeing The Zookeeper's Wife recently brought out two very different emotions. The first being the expected grief from the horror depicted on the screen directed...
An LA color: Violet Grey
Violet Grey unveils the mystery of skincare products encouraging experimentation but possibly beauty addiction. Violet Grey showed up in my inbox one day a few years ago. It is an online publication dedicated to unraveling the mystery of beauty products. At least to...
A must-see film
Unrest is a film that is powerful and painful to watch but must be seen to support those suffering from this life-robbing illness so to bring awareness with the hope that a cure can someday be attained. Last night I had the indescribable experience of viewing the...
Uplifting undertakings
Making creative changes to a home can result in uplifting the demeanor of its occupants by surrounding them with beauty and comfort. Interior design succeeds when it takes a home from unsuitable to uplifted. Living in a beautiful environment inspires the soul. It...