Celebrating 50 years of living in the USA

Happy Birthday America!

In celebration of our country's birthday and the 50th anniversary of my family coming to America, I wanted to follow up on last months newsletter on 'Change' and share my family's story.

On June 17th I posted a picture on Facebook of our family taken by the Rock Hill Herald upon our arrival to the United States. I received so many questions and comments that I decided to share my story with all of you. I know this is not design related but it will give an indication of where I came from

My dad studied at the University of Illinois and graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1957. After finishing his studies he went back to Colombia, married my mother and started a family. He worked in Colombia for several years and knew he wanted to eventually work in the states. When an opportunity to interview for a position with Bowaters Paper Mill in Lancaster was presented. He flew to SC, interviewed for the position, was offered a job and immediately took it.
Over the course of the next 12 years we moved quite a bit until finally settling in Charlotte in 1978.

My family moved to Rock Hill, SC in 1967 leaving behind their family and friends, their language and their culture.  They were the first in their families to move away.  My mother spoke absolutely NO English and came to the states with five young children and expecting number six. Needless to say we were an anomaly in Rock Hill, with such a large family and speaking a different language. I can't even begin to imagine the challenges and heart aches they faced. 

The people of Rock Hill embraced our family and were so accommodating and helpful to all of us especially to my mom as she adjusted to her new life. Neighbors helping her learn a new  language and a new way of living. The sisters at St. Annes school providing transportation for us kids and my dads colleagues providing support to all of us.
Fortunately, a few of us kids knew English as we had studied in an American school in Cali.
We grew up in two worlds; American by day (at school) and Colombian after 3pm (at home). This was not always easy as we got older but somehow it worked.

I admire my parents courage to leave their family and friends in search of better opportunities. They instilled a love of family and culture in all of us and we have maintained strong family ties in Colombia throughout our lives. I am so fortunate to have been exposed to two cultures, two languages and two countries I love.

So as you think about change regardless of how it applies to you, let me leave you with a quote from Nelson Mandela

"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears"

Plaza family 1967 featured in the Rock Hill Herald

              Celebrating my dad's 80th birthday in 2015. He is dressed in a traditional Colombian garb.

Happy Birthday America!

Trending at High Point Spring Market 2017

Millennial Pink was one of the hottest colors I saw throughout market. From lamps to Yes my pants to Quartz chandeliers and upholstery. It was everywhere! What do you think? Do you love it or hate it? I'd love to know.

My very favorite spotting was this amazing hardware by Addison Weeks, made locally in Charlotte, NC. If you are into semi precious stones, this is perfect for you. Add a touch of GLAM to your favorite cabinet or piece of furniture. And if that's not glamorous enough, she also sells jewelry. I could not walk away empty handed so I bought this amazing cuff.

With Cuba in the news it is no surprise to see so many palms and rattan in the market place.  Perfect for a summer home or to simply add a punch of color to a room. If this is too much for you, try adding a palm tree into your decor. All you need is a sunny window.

If all of this doesn't put a smile on your face and make you think spring or summer, you can add a touch of sunshine to your home with Yellow. Yellow, the happy color pairs nicely with many colors such as black, white, grey, blue or purple - and will definitely make you smile. Hooker furniture did just that with their club chair.  I would love to hear your thoughts on my style spotting from the High Point Market.

What do you think about what I saw at the High Point Market

Designing for Today and Planning for Tomorrow

I went to a Lunch and Learn recently and the topic was all about planning to stay in your current home.  This is so relevant to design and remodeling.  We remodel with the objective of creating a fresh new look, but at the same time it's important to be able to enjoy and grow in your new home for many years going forward.

This idea can be brought to life with any room in your home.  More than 90% of us want to stay in our homes as we age.  Keeping this in mind,  there are so many aspects of designing a room that can apply.


* Good Design is Universal Design-

When this logic is applied, your room can not only be beautiful, but also functional. Almost as an unseen element, functionality creates a long lasting usefulness.  This under counter oven from Sub Zero Wolf is a perfect example.

Rosa Dest Interiors

* Remember the Lighting-

Keeping at least 20% of your budget for lighting is essential when planning to stay in your current home. Always make sure that under your toe kicks and cabinets are well lit. This will not only look nice,  it will also be valued as we grow older.

Lutron.com

                                                                       
* Accessibility is Important-

Roll out shelves, single lever faucets, front mount control on appliances and easy maintenance are some of the aspects of your home you should consider as your remodel your home.  All of these can be appreciated when designing for today and beyond.

Kohler.com

And remember.........

Planning ahead is always a good thing, at any stage in life and in all aspects of life.  Let me know if you have any questions or are ready to dream a new dream for your forever home.

Colorfully Yours,

Three ways to use Green in your home

Spring Fever

Green is Refreshing and Revitalizing for sure!
I don't know about you but I love it! Green makes me feel happy.

Three fresh ways to use green in your home

1. Add greenery to your home

Instead of thinking you have to bring in new pillows to add that pop of green, try adding fresh greenery to your home.
Try a fiddle leaf fig tree, they are a go to for designers. They look beautiful anywhere you place them.The beautiful sitting room below uses a variety of plants makes the room feel inviting.
I also love the way ZenComa used an old tool box to plant succulents. An arrangement like this would be so much fun in a kitchen or a sunny laundry room.




2. Play with pattern and texture

Don't be afraid to mix it up. Large scale pattern with plaids and textures such as embroidered fabrics work beautifully together.

Rosa Dest Interiors

If you love pattern, have fun with it. Just make sure to balance it with solids.

Rosa Dest Interiors

3. Add a Conversation Piece

Have some fun! Add one piece of furniture that you can have some fun with. A conversation piece!

This enameled green bamboo bar cart adds a punch of color and  lots of excitement to a party.

Rosa Dest Interiors

NOTE: There are many shades of greens: blue/greens, yellow/greens, gray/greens and so many off shoots from those.
If you love the color green and 'Greenery' is not your color but your looking for ways to incorporate into your home, Email me at rosa@rosadestinteriors.com and I am happy to help you out.

It's Pi Day!  March 14---3.14---the first 3 digits of the mathematical constant 𝞹. So, let's celebrate Pi Day and eat lots of pie!

In honor of National Pi Day I want to share with you an awesome recipe for one of my favorite pies...

KEY LIME PI(E)

Ingredients:

For the Lime Filling:

4 teaspoons of grated lime zest
4 egg yolks
1 (14 ounce) can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

1 cup of graham crackers (about 9 crushed crackers)
2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
5 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted

For the Whipped Cream Topping:

1 1/2 cups of chilled heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2. Whisk the lime zest and egg yolks together in a medium bowl.  Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk and then the lime juice.  Set aside to thicken.

3. In another bowl, stir together to graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar.  Slowly drizzle in the melted butter.  Transfer crust mixture to a 9-inch pie plate and press the crumbs evenly.  Bake for 15 minutes or until beginning to brown.  Set aside to cool to room temperature.

4. Once the crust has cooled, pour the lime filling into the crust.  Bake for 15-17 minutes until the center is set.  Refrigerate at least three hours.

5. Using an electric mixer, whip the cream until soft peaks form.  Spread the whipped cream evenly over the chilled pie.  Garnish with limes and serve.


ENJOY!

Dreaming of a Dressing Room?

Dream and Dream Big!

Have you ever thought about having a dressing room? If so, What would it look like?

I was recently asked what my dream dressing room would look like and I immediately started day dreaming... and thinking Glamour...

First of all,  I would want a dressing room with a BIG window and a view so that I could begin and end my day looking at the outdoors. I want to feel happy and organized when I walk in, so with that being said lets get down to the nitty gritty of what I am dreaming about:

There are two must haves in my ideal dressing room. My first would be enough storage so that I could have two separate areas done by season - one side for Fall/Winter, the other for Spring/Summer. My second must have would be a vanity with a beautiful mirror and an additional 10XX lit mirror where I could sit and do my makeup.

I would have a special place for my shoes, placed on shelves with LED lights so that I could see and appreciate each pair.  I would also have a special place for all of my handbags so that I could display them and enjoy each one. I just love the way California Closets designs their closets. The closet pictured below would make me "Ohhh so happy :)".

California closets

Because function is of the outmost importance in great design,  a good closet system with plenty of storage and hanging areas would be required. Somewhere within the storage I would love to have an ironing board hidden in a drawer, accessible for a last minute press and easily put away.

Lighting is critical. In addition to recessed lighting I would add  beautiful light fixtures like the one pictured below in a grouping of three pendants.  I love this pendant from Arhaus, its so delicate and feminine just the way I would like to feel in my dressing room.

The walls and ceiling would be covered in wallpaper.  I love the way the Auburn wallpaper by Anna French complements the pendants. I can already see it coming together.

And the finishing touch would be my place to sit and do my makeup with a beautiful vanity and mirror. This mirror made of pressed metal has an antique metallic finish which plays off the pendants and ties the mirrored vanity featured below together to create a unified look.

Plume Mirror

Can't you just imagine it? I love it already!

I love glamour and fashion and purses and shoes and I love to just to dream and Dream Big!

Thomas Pheasant for Veranda Magazine

What does your dream dressing room look like? I would love your comments.

Colorfully yours,

SaveSave

Black History Month

This month we have been celebrating Black History Month.  In honor of the artist, Romare Bearden who was born in Charlotte, we visited an exhibit at Charlotte Fine Art Gallery and viewed many of his wonderful pieces on display.  I love his style, especially his use of collage, lithograph and subtle colors.

Bearden lead an interesting life as an artist, case worker for the Harlem office of the New York City Department of Social Services and served in the United States Army.  He was also a musician and co-wrote a song called Sea Breeze that was recorded by his high school classmate, Dizzy Gillespie. 

   He married when he was 46 years old and along with his wife, Nanette, who shared his interest in 

   the arts, they created The Bearden Foundation.  Always a champion of young minority artists, this 

foundation provided welcome assistance.

Romare Bearden working in his Long Island Studio

Romare Bearden died in 1988 at the age of 76.  Romare Bearden Park opened in downtown Charlotte in 2013.  This beautiful public park hosts art displays, concerts and many other activities. The Charlotte Christmas Village is sure to be a tradition as the park is transformed into a German-style market for almost a month after Thanksgiving.

Romare Bearden Park
Will Belcher Photography

Living in Charlotte, I've visited Romare Bearden Park several times.  It was interesting to take some time and research it's namesake, one of Charlotte's best known artists.  I learned a lot and will enjoy getting to more about him and his life.  You can view some of his work this now through March 4 at Charlotte Fine Art Gallery in South Charlotte.

What do you think about Romare Bearden's art? I would love to know

Colorfully yours,