With not one but two new stores opening in the fabulous city of Houston, we’ve been immersing ourselves in the Houston blogger world and when we came across Paloma Contreras’ interior design and lifestyle blog, La Dolce Vita, we just had to share the juicy goodness with you. The former high school Spanish teacher turned blogger and marketing director extraordinaire gave us some insight on tips to decorating a fabulous space, how to succeed in the world of blogging and more. Read on to find out why the beautiful, not to mention multi-talented, Paloma is our latest blogger we love…
**images: Paloma Contreras of La Dolce Vita, My Favorite Room: Hallie Henley
{1} Tell us how La Dolce Vita got started?
In what feels like my previous life, I was a high school Spanish teacher. I founded La Dolce Vita as a creative outlet during my last year of teaching. Over the past five years, my blog has been a constant source of inspiration and has afforded me the opportunity to tap into my passions and pursue my dreams. It has completely changed the course of my career. Today, La Dolce Vita focuses on all of the elements that make up “the sweet life”: interior design, fashion, travel, and inspiring people.
{2} What are some key tips to keep in mind when decorating a space?
Don’t be afraid to play with scale. Oftentimes, large scale items work very well in small spaces, creating visual impact while anchoring the room. Also, balance is essential. I don’t like rooms that are overly feminine or masculine. It’s better to layer a room and for glamorous statement pieces, make sure you have a solid, neutral foundation to work with.
{3} What are your top three favorite trends in interior design as of lately?
1. I love lacquered walls. I’ve been seeing a lot of floor-to-ceiling, high-gloss finishes in colors ranging from deep indigo to bright chartreuse.
**image: La Dolce Vita – Fabulous Room Friday 08.10.12
2. Interesting flooring options such as Moroccan-inspired concrete tiles
**image: La Dolce Vita – Love it or Leave it: Stripes, Stripes, Stripes!
3. Bold lighting choices—Lighting is the jewelry of the home and can tie an entire room together!
**image: La Dolce Vita – Fabulous Room Friday 09.28.12
{4} We know that furniture and home décor can be expensive…if you’re going to splurge, what items should you spend $$ on?
I think it’s very important to allot the largest portion of your budget to the pieces that you have to get the most mileage out of. For example, I would prefer to splurge on a good quality sofa knowing that I can spend less on items I am likely to want to swap out sooner like pillows and throws.
{5} What are your favorite spots in Houston for a night out with the girls?
I love Benjy’s on Washington Avenue. They have a fabulous happy hour. The ambiance is always great, the décor is beautiful, and the food and service are always spot-on.
{6} How does interior design affect your everyday style?
I am always thinking about interior design—both for my day job as Director of Marketing for Visual Comfort & Co., a high-end decorative lighting manufacturer with collections by designers like Thomas O’Brien, Barbara Barry, Alexa Hampton, and Suzanne Kasler among others, as well as for my blog. Much of my mission with La Dolce Vita has been to inspire my readers to live beautifully—a sentiment that encompasses everything from making courageous career choices to creating a home that feels personal and unique to the owner. I am always searching for new inspiration and material for La Dolce Vita so interior design is always on my mind!
{7} What are you most excited about for fall?
Fall really is fleeting for us in Texas. We don’t experience the chill or changing leaves that most people do in other parts of the country, but it’s my favorite time of year in Houston. You just can’t beat the gorgeous weather! I am so excited to wear my riding boots along with some polished blazers and statement jewelry this season.
{8} Tell us a little bit about your space…
My home is tailored, yet relaxed. I’d say my style definitely falls into the “new traditional” category. I love mixing classic shapes with fun vintage pieces and typically decorate using a neutral foundation that I build upon with the use of bold patterns and glamorous accessories.
{9} 5 must-have items for a spectacular space…
Pieces that are personal and tell a story about you, great lighting, monogrammed linens, the use of color, pattern, and texture, and a mix of furniture styles—it shouldn’t look like you ordered all of your furniture from one catalog.
{10} A bit of advice for someone just starting a blog?
Success means something very different for every blogger. Do you want to offer unique content and inspiration for your readers? Are you aiming to make money from your blog? Are you hoping for press recognition and business opportunities? All of these things are possible, but you shouldn’t start a blog if the last two questions are your main reasons for doing so. Blogging takes a lot of time and work and with the abundance of style blogs nowadays, you really have to be passionate about your subject matter. My biggest advice is to have a clear voice and point of view, be consistent—post on a regular basis, embrace the blogging community and get actively involved, and be patient. Except for a few rare exceptions, it takes time and dedication to build a sizable following. Once you have established a unique perspective and a dedicated following, the other opportunities will follow. Most importantly, have fun with it!
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