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
Pecky Cypress Palace
When touring vintage local homes, one often sees beautiful details giving the house that special "Old Florida" look. One of these details is the use of pecky cypress which is not seen as often in the newer built homes. Lucky me, I have the opportunity to work on a...
David R. Williams
David R. Williams, (1890-1962), was a Texas architect designing dream-worthy houses in the great state. To continue on the theme of my last post, I am featuring additional homes by the talented David R. Williams. Known as the father of Texas modern architecture,...
Oak Cliff Charm
Oak Cliff, a neighborhood near downtown Dallas, is a combination of lovely old homes, hip arts district, and violent crime. A single picture inspired what was to be a very short post. My grandparents built their Steven's Park home in 1930. In the late 1800's, Oak...
Lone Star Antiques
Milieu magazine illustrates the beautiful outcome of fusing new design with beautiful antiques in the elegant homes featured in each issue. Milieu is my favorite magazine since its 2013 debut. Pamela Pierce, the talented Houston designer, is its founder and editor....
Local treasure
Heavens To Betsy jams are delicious, healthy, and a local treasure of Winter Park. When giving presents, I like to select items that I consider to be local treasure - something made right here in Orlando that isn't seen in every city or online site. Some say that one...
House logo
When a truly wonderful houses exists, it can be honored with a symbol or illustration that becomes the insignia of the house - a house logo. I love the idea of giving a house a logo. It creates a sense of place to have it thoughtfully placed throughout the house on...
Winter Park Postcard
Winter Park, cherished for its historic homes, brick streets, many lakes and native birds, is facing challenges by increased building and traffic. There is a bit of a building boom happening in Winter Park right now after a long hiatus due to the economy. Small houses...
Fine Style
Lisa Fine boldly decorates with color and pattern inspired by foreign cultures. I do not remember when I first became aware of Lisa Fine, but I had never seen such "fine style" before and have not forgotten her since. Her fearless use of color and pattern, I find...
Día De Los Muertos
Día de los Muertos beautifully celebrates death as a part of life in the form of flowers, parades, music and food. There are so many Mexican traditions that I appreciate. Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is one of them. Sadly, I have never been in México on...
Grey Ghosts
The "grey ghosts", otherwise known as weimaraners, hold a special place in my heart because of their protective nature, intelligence, and distinctive color. As a designer I am drawn to the gorgeous coloration of the weimaraner with their silver coats and almost...
Williamsburg-style
Williamsburg-style is seen throughout the town in the chaste brick homes with oversized chimneys, multi-paned windows, dormers, and wooden door surrounds. I have been spending time in Williamsburg lately visiting my son who is studying there. On a recent trip, I came...
Indienne Love
Indienne : a light cotton fabric with designs painted or printed in imitation of designs used originally in subcontinental India. Braquenié, the historic French fabric house founded in 1824, produces magnificent 18th and 19th century patterns, most notably Indiennes...
Summer reading
Just like summer reading, interior design books can provide escape to magical homes of beautiful yet thoughtful design. One of summer's pleasures is having the time to read indulgently. In my life, the hectic pace of the school year combined with work doesn't allow...
Mission San José de Tumacácori
The Mission San José de Tumacácori provides history lessons as well as architectural and garden inspiration. As summer is officially ending this weekend (noooooo!) with Labor Day approaching, this will be a commemorative post of that wonderful season which allows for...
California Charm
Elements of California charm appear throughout southern California, but can be adapted to your own part of the world making it more special. Everything seems to be better in California in my family's mind. The produce at the Farmer's Markets, the weather for sure, and...