#ValentinaInteriorsDesigns | Valentina Expressions

Golden Inspiration| Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

13 Sep 2013 2 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #2013FallColors, #DesigningWithColors, #FlowerArrangement, #HowToDecorateTips, #MyPersonalAToZChallenge, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Welcome to my personal A to Z Challenge on the subject of Home. The goal, in a year time, until Jan. 13, 2014, is to elaborate and dissect topics regarding the Home not as containers of stuff, but as a cocoon for the soul, mind, and heart. I will touch on decorations, style, trends, history of the home and sometimes technical information

Let’s get prepared for the autumn, shall we? As the leaves change, we should change our décor too. Without changing the entire furnishing of the house and with only a few strategies, it’s easy to get a fresh new look more suitable with the changing of seasons and with our personal look changing through the seasons.

Last week, I put together a flower arrangement for one of my public events. The colors in the arrangement inspired me to create my color trend for the coming fall. I called it “Golden Inspiration”. It’s elegant, warm and inviting.

Except for people with a pinkish skin tone, this palette is suitable for all golden skin tones, ivory skin tones, black, red-haired people and people who are in the summer/fall season category.
Changes are good, we must keep up with the change of seasons, changes of life events and embrace changes age brings. Every age has its beauty, the important thing is to be aware and know how to play it to our advantage.

Next week, I will bring another exciting color scheme that exudes energy and that will inspire you to play with fantasy.

A week ago, I reached 1000 likes from all of you, creative and interesting friends. I want to take this opportunity to thank all my readers and followers for this beautiful number. Each one of you brought me news, ideas, encouragement, support, and knowledge. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.

Let me be your designer of choice for any of your decorating and remodeling needs. I offer design consultation on-line via Skype. Ask me for details. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer working in the USA and Europe since 1990, specializing in Mediterranean designs. Often people describe her as “the colorist” as she loves to color her clients’ world and loves to create the unusual. “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California featured Valentina’s work. She also has made four appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15. Author of three published books, the latest ©RED – A Voyage Into Colors is on the subject of colors. Get your copies through

Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

A Livable Home My Way | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

10 Sep 2013 8 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #ClosetDesign, #DecoratingTips, #HomeRemodeling, #kitchenDesign, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Often I study consumer behavior statistics to get to know changes in my market. Some studies say that women are the primary decision makers in almost 90% of all home purchases. In all my projects this statistic has been correct, unless I dealt with single men. In my homeland Italy, we have a saying that goes like this:
“I am the boss, but the person who bosses me around and makes decisions is my wife”.

In my career as a designer, I made many observations on how today’s homes often don’t reflect people’s needs. Generally, the square as shoebox is the most common shape for homes (round shapes are difficult and costly). The shoebox homes have large rooms to fill with stuff and possessions, high ceilings to waste a lot of space and very little attention devoted to the spirit.

If I were a builder, I would pay more attention to people’s living habits. I would make the necessary adjustments to the concept plans to make sure the home has harmony and beauty first, then comfort. Coming home from work should be a pleasant experience, even when we have a lot of chores waiting to get done.

In all my years in design business, I have observed how people enter their homes. The front door is beautifully decorated, but they hardly see it. Home owners reserve to themselves the ugliest part of the house to enter from: the garage, where a pile of laundry, cars, stuff and all the mess will greet them everyday. They reserve the best for the guests: the front door.
During the year, I make a round of visits to my clients’ homes and leave a small token at the door if they are not there. Then, I will call to let them know I was at the house and left a package at their front step, otherwise they will never see it. What is the point of making a surprise visit if I have to tell them to open the front door and pick up my small token? The phone call spoils the surprise.
(Click on each photo to view it larger).

One day, I thought if I were a builder, I would design the house with a back door foyer, where one door would lead to a mudroom/garage and one door would lead to the kitchen. In the back door foyer, I would create a drop zone for the mail, keys and charging area for phones and electronics, that way all that stuff will not end up on the kitchen counter.

The list of areas I don’t like in a modern home is very long. I have spotted a point of disadvantage in all the closets in American homes. They have no window and being positioned just in or outside bathrooms, it’s only natural that clothes smell musty, molded and old. One more thing, people who live with pets, wears the smell of their pets on their clothes. Think about it, just an operable skylight will suffice to get rid of house and pets smells. I get up in the morning and open my bedroom to let fresh air in. I would do it even if I lived in a cold climate. A few minutes of fresh air don’t hurt anyone, it helps clothes smelling fresh and keeps the house healthy.

If I were a builder, I would add a window in all the closets. I would move the linen closet outside the bathroom and find a way to circulate fresh air into it, if there was no possible way to add at least a window.

How about hosting dinner parties and entertainment? I remember a different functionality in European kitchens. We had a small area off the kitchen, closed with a door, where food preparation and cooking took place, we called it the hot kitchen, where there was the essential, a chopping table, a sink, the garbage and the refrigerator, the rest of the kitchen cabinets, storage and small appliances were in the better part of the kitchen. As soon as food was ready, we brought the plates to the table in the better part of the kitchen used for everyday informal eating. This same area was also the place where we had a cup of coffee with close friends, we paid bills, kids often did their homework and we mingled with family. Formal dining room was close to the kitchen, but not close to the hot kitchen, just so the cooking smells would stay away from the formal area. Outside the hot kitchen, we had the spice garden for our cooking needs.

If I were a builder, I would return to the European way of planning the kitchen for real cooks. For people who don’t cook but spend a bundle of money in remodeling the kitchen just to have a good resale value, I suggest to save that money and go on a fantastic trip. People who use microwave to reheating store-bought food don’t need to have a fancy kitchen. Any house will sell for various reasons, not because there is a fancy kitchen in it.

If I were a builder, I would pay attention to open spaces, dual-purpose stairs, I would turn a non-utilized spaces into workable zones and I would pay attention to creative details to build a livable home my way that would embrace soul, mind and body of everyone living in the house.
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As seen on Affluent Living:

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Remember to tell me your story, I will design your dream. Come one over to Facebook, let’s start a new friendship there too. Ciao,
Valentina

http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Copyright © 2013 Valentina Cirasola, All Rights Reserved
Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer working in the USA and Europe since 1990, specializing in kitchen, bath, wine cellar, and outdoor kitchen designs. Often people describe her as “the colorist” as she loves to color her clients’ world and loves to create the unusual. “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California featured Valentina’s work. She also has made four appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15. Author of three published books, the latest ©RED – A Voyage Into Colors is on the subject of colors. Get your copy through
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Shoes Tell Your Story | Valentina Cirasola | Author and Designer

08 Sep 2013 4 Comments

by Valentina in Friday Fashion Tags: #ArtOfDressing, #ItalianLifeStyle, #PolishedShoes, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #SciusciáItalianFilm, #ShoeShiningKit, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

A jazzy music from the ’30 was filling the air of San Francisco’s street the other day. As I got closer, I recognized the music of Duke Ellington playing from of a boom box sitting on the pavement next to a shoeshine stall. I looked around and suddenly I was catapulted in a different time in a different country.

John_Thomson_-_The_Independent_Shoe-Black_(AIC_2012.234.19)_-_cropped

Photo by John Thompson – Wikimedia Commons Public Domain – The Independent Shoe-Black by John Thomson, 1877.

The colors of the street turned sepia colors and I was a girl in Italy walking together with my father, in a time when men took a great care of their exterior appearance and just like women, men too went into extensive hours of grooming to achieve a polished look. In my vision, shoeshine stalls were at almost every city block, ice cream vendors screamed to have the best ice cream of the entire city and bicyclists filled the streets with only a few cars, but the sound of San Francisco’s cable car returned me to reality. The magic of being in another era lasted a few seconds.

The street shoeshine stalls are disappearing in Italy too, as people find more convenient to polish their shoes at home. However, there is a majority of people in Italy still cleaning their shoes before leaving home. Italian people wear leather shoes more often than tennis shoes and the “dandy” affected look is still very much a high game in Italy. To have dirty shoes is a sign of sloppiness and uncaring to make bella figura, the Italian art of looking good in the eyes of others.

Kids shined shoes of American GIs during WWII out of necessity to make extra money. Italian film-maker Vittorio De Sica took inspiration from this new street activity to produce a film called Sciuscia’, which was the word kids shouted to American soldiers to attract their attention and let them know they were open to shine shoes. It was the way English sounded to them Shoeshine – Sciuscia’. They served only men and continued to these days.

An Italian shoeshine is a colorful street character. The man who wants to shine his shoes will be asked to sit on the high chair while the shoeshine will sing at him some Opera Aria or any well-known pop music, otherwise the two men will start talking about politics and sport, two favorite subjects men talk about in the street with strangers. A shoeshine might not be a highly educated person, but can speak four or more languages easily. At times, I heard them babble in Japanese, Chinese and Arabic, aside from the common European languages they have mastered well and mostly learned in the street from tourists. Rest assured that at the end of his service, the shoes are like brand new and the customer leaves amused.

Every home in Italy owns one elegant wooden box with all the necessary items to shine shoes beautifully and if not they have the basic creams and brushes lose in a drawer. I have a cedar box my mother left me and every time I go out the door, I polish my shoes and remember.
Now, it’s September and as every September it’s time to go through my shoes, get rid of the pairs I don’t want anymore and polish all the winter shoes. My shoes are well kept and someone else will have the chance to enjoy them the second time around.

Feet are the end of our body and often are not the prettiest part. They support the weight and the beating of the walk. We make them swollen and tired, the least we can do, is to make them look good. Shoes tell the story of who we are and men with polished shoes have my attention! Ciao,
Valentina
Open this link and scroll down the page to find my Fashion Services
https://valentinadesigns.com/services

Valentina Cirasola has been a lifetime designer in fashion and interiors. Her extensive knowledge of colors and materials led her in both directions successfully. Vogue Italy and many prominent publications in California featured her work. Among designing and remodeling homes, designing custom-made furniture and writing books, Valentina is now teaching etiquette, table manners, table setting and life style. Check out her latest book Red-A Voyage Into Colors on the subject of colors, available on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

I For Illuminate Your Space | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

07 Aug 2013 10 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #CurbAppeal, #DesigningWithLights, #GardenIllumination, #GardenSolutions, #LandscapeDesign, #LandscapeLighting, #LEDLight, #MyPersonalAToZChallenge, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

I have the opportunity to design the exterior lighting of the house featured in my video. The house is located in an upscale area, but the landscape is not really upscale. it is utilitarian greenery. Most of the plants in this landscape are evergreen, a lot of foliage and very few flowers. This kind of landscape is congenial for public streets, as it requires little maintenance and little water. Basically, it’s a xeriscape planning, which is OK for today’s need to conserve water.

If I were the owner of this house, I would have had the guest areas, the main entry, and the front yard made up with seasonal flowers. I would plant vegetation synchronized with the regeneration of each season, where one group of flowers goes dormant, while the other group comes alive and together swing out colors and scents all year round. Then I would make up a xeriscape for the hidden, utilitarian and not so pretty areas, like the service areas and driveway. This is my first time designing only the exterior lighting without redesigning the landscape, that’s the owner’s wish.

All that green foliage doesn’t reflect the moonlight and makes the house very dark at night, while during the daytime makes it very heavy. The front door is not easy to find as it is completely covered with heavy vegetation, making it not inviting either. There is no curb appeal and no focal point. The backyard, with the exception of a few rose plants and Agapanthus bushes, has no interest. Being the house positioned in an upscale area, it needs an elegant landscape with character and “manners” and not vegetation for highways.

I will eliminate outdated fixtures and will create layers of LED lights that will cast silhouettes on the walls and shadow on the ground. Some fixtures will have colored filter lenses to give some depth in the darkest areas, as the bamboo area and some trees will be illuminated with a soft string of lighting. I will highlight the balcony wood rail with bullet lights. The backyard needs the ambiance of an outdoor living room. My games of lights will enhance the heavy foliage and will change the feel of the existing landscape into a garden that is comfortable for the people of the house and their guests, livable, energy-efficient and easy on the eyes.

Sharing is caring. Share me as often as you like. Through Skype line, I offer design consultation on-line, other than the traditional “in house” consultations. I design for people all over the world without moving an inch away from my desk. I am here to help. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Valentina is an Italian Interior Designer since 1990 designing for the USA and Europe’s markets. She loves to remodel homes and gardens. With her many years of experience, she is able to cover a wide range of design solutions. Often clients ask her to designs the landscape concept complete with lighting as a complement to the interior design.
Valentina is the author of three books available on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Fashion Is A Pain | Valentina Cirasola | Designer

19 Jul 2013 8 Comments

by Valentina in Friday Fashion Tags: #2013FallColors, #2013FashionColors, #FendiFashion, #LouisVuitton, #Miuccia, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Fashion never stops to amaze me! Every season, every year, new inspirations twist our way of dressing and yet guess where designers draw their ideas? The past, again and again regurgitated in new million facets!
This fall 2013, the choice of designs and colors have fallen on the Tudor and Medieval fashion. Alexander McQueen and a few others took Tudor’s fashion to a new height. Although the look is very pretty and most appropriate for Opera soirée, I don’t think women will want to dress in crinolines again crowned with tiaras!

Miuccia Prada latest “Miu Miu” collection has interpreted women as androids, in my opinion. Dark colors and mostly black are the choices of this collection. With the exception of a few bright pieces, the collection seems quite gloomy to me. She highly structured her clothes and body shapes are cinched in tight belts. Shoes are flat, bulky, kind of tanks for feet.

Louis Vuitton has resurrected the feminine shape, small waist, and voluptuous curves and no it doesn’t mean that women have become submitted creatures or sexy pot. Woman’s beauty should be celebrated with clothes that emphasize it and elevate it.

In the fall 2013 Italian designers envision women in punk clothes and Mohicans fur hair extension. You read it right fur hair extension!

There isn’t anything new under the sun. Ideas are cooked, re-cooked and re-proposed as leftover food with new flavors. I see more creativity in street fashion, at least people don’t have the pretense of wanting to be designers and feel freer to express themselves with shapes and colors best suitable for their moods. (Photos below: Elle.com)

I encourage people to embrace color, always pushing them outside their comfort zones. This fall 2013 try the versatile color palette. Get into the warm “Linden Green” with the “Carafe” accented with the vibrant “Samba” or “Koi”, but then “Beaujolais” “Koi” and “Emerald” together are so tempting. Whatever colors you chose this fall, must feel comfortable and exalt your personality.

(Photo: Pantone)

Coordinating the right colors will affect your day, productivity and spirit. My Skype line is always open and I am here to help. Ciao,
Valentina

Fashion Services

https://valentinadesigns.com/services#fashion-services

Valentina Cirasola is a trained Fashion and Interior Designer, working in the USA and Europe. Born in Italy and in a family of artists, style surrounded her since the beginning of her life. Her many years of experience led her to offer consultations in both specializations. She is the author of three books. Get your copy of Valentina’s book on colors: ©RED-A Voyage Into Colors on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/qNxXrB

Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Garden Art | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

20 Jun 2013 4 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #GardenArt, #GardenDesign, #GardenLighting, #MetalSculpture, #RecycledFurniture, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Sure this is true, as my found picture says (author unknown), but what else does one need besides books and a garden? Maybe wines.
(Click on each photo to view it larger).

Garden styles are various and personal. My personal style of garden is a bit rustic, not too manicured and a lot of whimsy. After I create the garden bone, I build around this structure often with recycled items. I find it very easy to create garden art re-using and repurposing items that already had a previous life. You would be surprised how an old bathtub or furniture, such as a unique coffee table, baby crib or an iron bed can be transformed into a beautiful piece of garden art. Just use your imagination and garden art can be almost anything.

Trellises or other walkways are ideal to create secluded area with a romantic atmosphere, or to divide a path from another scene; statues of cherubs and angels with fountains are perfect to recreate a classical style garden, bridges and lanterns for a Japanese style, just to name a few.

Specific plant will determine the style of your garden from tropical to nautical theme, or wildlife habitats.

Metal is not a strange material to include in garden art, it offers many possibilities for benches, arches and sculpture. I would suggest large pieces of metal sculptures, the small things get lost between the foliage. If the metal sculpture gets rusty, don’t worry it looks even better showing the patina of the time. For metal gazebos it might be better to use aluminum looking like old metal, it is less expensive and durable. Personally, I am not into simulations, I prefer the real things, metal must be metal, stone must be stone and wood must be wood. One last thing, have you thought of mirrors as garden art? Keep in mind not to place a mirror directly in the sun, it will catch fire and burn the house down, but placed anywhere in the shadow, under the eave and between heavy foliage will double the beautiful image of your garden.

Rust-Blue-Vignette

Have you thought of what you might see reflected in the mirror other than the opposite image of your garden? I saw myself as an Opera singer in costume warbling my voice out loud while putting flowers and leaves on my face as make-up. Ciao,
Valentina
http://www.valentinadesigns.com

As a designer in business since 1990, I am interested in helping people designing their interior and exterior spaces to add that feeling of peace and relaxation everywhere.
Find copies of my three books on

Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Where Is Your Fire? | Valentina Cirasola | Author and Designer

10 May 2013 4 Comments

by Valentina in The Good Life Tags: #ComeMiaNonnaReturnToSimplicity, #FocusBBQ, #GardenDesign, #ItalianBBQ, #ItalianCeramicBBQ, #ItalianCeramics, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #SinsOfAQueen, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Small spaces are challenging, but I never see them as a problem. With a little research work for the right item that matches the measurements of a restrictive area, everything is possible and often one can fit the cutest item in any small space.

Focus, a French company, came up with “Sigmafocus” an elegant wall-mounted BBQ that looks more like a hat hanging on the wall. Made of steel, it opens from the wall and the generous fire bowl comes down at your height ready for BBQing any food. The plate on the wall protects the wall from the smoke. It is perfect for garden or balconies and even for apartment living. The same company produces “Diagofocus”, a beautifully designed cylinder and stylish space-saver BBQ.

(Photos: Sigmafocus)

Do you live in an apartment? This next solution is a dream. The balcony BBQ mounts on the rail of the balcony as if it was a planter, except that you can cook your favorite vegetables and meats. Check with your landlord, as many apartment managements do not allow any type of BBQ. Price 59.00 Euro, find it here http://www.connox.com/categories/outdoor/barbecue/bbq-bruce-balkonygrill.html

(Photo above: cdn.shopify.com)

Italians do the Italian things. Hand-painted colorful ceramic BBQ are highly decorative and can be placed anywhere in the garden or patio. Even when not in use for grilling, the grill area can turn into a small counter by covering it with a flat plate, then a wine bottle and glasses can rest on it.
Find it at https://www.facebook.com/romeo.cuomo
There is poetry in something this beautiful !!!

In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus to give it to the mortals…. Slow food taste so good. Is your fire ready?
If you are looking for something special, I am here to help, just ask. Ciao,
Valentina

http://www.valentinadesigns.com

Valentina is an Italian Interior Designer with a passion for kitchens, cooking and extensive knowledge of food. She designs for USA and Europe’s markets. She loves to remodel homes and gardens. With her many years of experience she is able to cover a wide range of design solutions. She offers design consultations on-line and anywhere in the world through Skype line. Valentina is the author of three books all available on Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

Feeling Precious In Emerald Green | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

28 Feb 2013 18 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #2013PantoneColors, #EmeraldGreen, #emeraldGreenInteriors, #NeoclassicStyle, #RedVoyageIntoColors, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

The word “Emerald” was first used in the 14th Century to indicate a bright green stone consisting of chromium-rich variety of beryl, a precious blue-green color of seawater stone priced as precious gemstone.

Emerald color in nothing new in the home fashion front. In 1800, emerald-green heavy velvet or damask curtains embellished English interiors and again all through the ‘50s emerald-green was the color in vogue for modern home interiors and modern appliances. More than sixty years later, emerald-green is emerging strong as the spring/summer color of this year.

(Photo left Tourmaline with Lepidolite – found on http://www.themineralgallery.com/tourroom.htm)

Selecting colors is a process of emotion’s discovery, how they make you feel, what memory they evoke, what sensory perception they trigger. I like to think of the most common colors as precious value: citrine yellow, ruby-red, emerald-green, royal purple, pink quartz, brown topaz, pearl white, iridescent moonstone, blue aquamarine, orange coral, platinum silver, antique gold, bronze, satin copper and so on. Once I give value to colors they immediately feel rich, elegant, abundant, sophisticated or flavorful.

Emerald green is very rich, very dark and not much light transpires from it. The secret of a successful dark designed interior rests in the illumination; show the light without showing the light fixture. Illumination can be achieved also by accenting with light colors, such as white doors or glass doors as in the photograph of the interior by Studio CSL in Milan. I absolutely love the transparency of the blue glass wall partition and white sheer curtains with the dark blue seating in the corner grounding the room. It’s very simple and minimalist, but very effective.

Note in the photo below how the Chartreuse mixes well with white and silver colors mixed, together with the emerald-green pillows. Here the light comes from the texture of the satin grey fabric of the sofa, which makes games of light and dark. The color of the wall behind matches to perfection the color of some pillows, but the light source coming from the right side (we see it, but we don’t really) makes this picture modern and pleasant. Remember, the wall colors is one item easy to match to anything, thus it might just be the last item to select even from a 1″x1″ sample.

(Photo: http://www.maxwellfabrics.com)

Most people think interior doors must be white, natural or brown. I find interior green door very attractive, especially if the interior spaces and furniture are mostly white, antique white, distressed or beige. Emerald green doors will bring a touch of class and grandeur.

In my Pinterest board http://pinterest.com/vcvalentina there is a picture of an iPhone cover I love. Just take a look of all the color combinations possible with emerald-green. It is a real inspiration for those who don’t really want a dark room in green, but want to be trendy only with accessories. Later when they get tired of emerald-green, it will be easier to change the accessories than the entire room furniture. On this iPhone cover the color combinations to go with emerald-green are exciting and very livable.

(iPhone Cover – https://www.zazzle.com/emerald_green_butterfly_3_3gs_iphone_case-179935016138807845)

Think of greenery for interiors to add natural colors. Terrariums are full of wonder. Like little worlds of their own, they are an excellent way to study life. This set of 3 by Doodle Birdie is sold on Etsy.

Photo by Etsy. See more traditional terrariums designs

(https://www.houzz.dk/photos/461351/garden-lovers-terrarium-gift-set-in-apothecary-jars-by-doodle-birdie-klassisk-terrarier)

I am designing a kitchen in a classical style, all antique white cabinetry, with some glass cabinet doors, pewter doorknobs, green rain marble countertop and blonde distressed hickory hardwood floor. Functionality was a requirement, elegance not so much, but it will be when completed.

Island in Colombian Emerald Granite

If you want to purchase a real emerald stone, I would suggest the Colombian emerald, it is the most prized due to transparency and fire. Ciao,
Valentina

http://www.Valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola is an Italian Interior Designer and former Fashion Designer, working in the USA and Europe since 1990. She blends well fashion with interior and colors the world of her clients. She has been described as “the colorist” and loves to create the unusual.
Valentina was featured in Italy on “Vogue” magazine and many prominent publications in California. She also has made four appearances on T.V. Comcast Channel 15. She is the author of three books all available on
Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

The Sails Sofa | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

26 Jul 2012 11 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #ChairDesign, #DecoratingTips, #ItalianFurniture, #ItalianSofa, #LeVeleSofa, #LivingRoomFurniture, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Yesterday, this video came across my desk, I thought it portrays the modern Italian living to the letter.

Italians have lived and enjoyed antiquities for centuries. One can find there almost every style of architecture ever invented. The county is small, but concentrated with arts from the past in every expression from the Roman Empire era all the way to today’s contemporary arts and everything in between.
Yet, Italian homes are not decorated with antiques or traditional furniture, except in sporadic cases. All those antiquities we have been accustomed to for centuries stay out there in the streets. We ignore the treasure that surrounds our daily life as if they are nonexistent. They are our landscape.

Gone are the times when Italian people lived in large homes. The film “Under The Tuscan Sun” portrayed a way of living that does not exist any more. People who still own those dilapidated homes (we call farmhouses), such as the one in the film, have understood there is money to be made and that foreigners want to experience that kind of living. The next step was to remodel and turn those farmhouses into B&B, Spas, or making them available as vacation homes for hire by the week or by the month.

Italian people live in condos, one on top of the other, space is very limited, therefore furniture must be beautiful and contain stuff. Our homes are decorated with colors, bright lights (which I truly despise), linear furniture and very simple shapes; furniture must be stylish, but functionality and space saver are the only two notes Italians want to hear.

Le Vele Sofa – In this video you will see how a cleverly designed sofa can be utilized in many different solutions, indoor and outdoor.

I am here to help you implementing these ideas and finding that special piece you are looking for.

Like what you read? Sharing is caring. Pass it along to someone who’d benefit. Ciao,
Valentina
www.Valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola has been a lifetime designer in fashion and interiors. Her extensive knowledge of colors and materials led her in both directions successfully. She is well-known for designing custom furniture. She cares to make spacious and functional pieces, but she doesn’t forget to introduce the element of surprise, sinuous lines, attractive shapes and color in the style fit for each of her special clients. Check out her books on

Amazon: http://goo.gl/xUZfk0
Barnes&Nobles: http://goo.gl/q7dQ3w

The Sunshine Award | Valentina Cirasola | Interior Designer

05 Jun 2012 14 Comments

by Valentina in Home Designs Master Tags: #RedVoyageIntoColors, #SunshineAward, #ValentinaCirasolaAuthor, #ValentinaCirasolaDesigner, #ValentinaInteriorsDesigns

Yesterday Jamie from http://grandmothermusings.com/ nominated my blog for the Sunshine Award.

I have been blogging for a while on anything that has to do mostly with style, home décor, architecture, or fashion. You might have guessed it, I am a passionate designer.
From my site http://valentinaexpressions.com I write about Italian culture and food.

Although I love to blog, I must admit for a while it felt as if I was writing to a wall. It felt lonely, it felt like a giant void, I had the impression nobody was interested in style, or design matters. But I don’t easily give up, I continued having fun with my blog, at least I was putting down my thoughts. Now, I am honored you guys are reading my blogs and following me, which brought me to receive the nomination of the Sunshine Award.
I am supposed to nominate 10 other bloggers and talk about me in 10 questions. The first part is easy, the second is not, as I rather talk about other people and not about myself. Here are the award rules.

Award Rules
** Include the Award’s Logo in a post or on your blog.
** Answer 10 questions about yourself.
** Nominate 10 other bloggers.
** Link your nominees to this post and comment on their blogs, letting them know they have been nominated.
** Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

10 Questions About Me

What is my real fear?
To be left completely alone in the world, with no other human being or form of life. Boy, that scares the hell out of me!

What did I want to be when I grew up?
I am still finding that answer. It’s so difficult to become one person only when I can be many people.
I am pretty happy being a designer today, but I like to cook I could be a chef too, or a comedian, perhaps I could be a comedian chef who designs my stage clothes. UHM!
I also like to travel, perhaps I can be a comedian chef who designs all my shows in different parts of the world in different sets.

What are some of my hobbies?
I like to sit at a cafe’ to observe people, listening to their conversations, watch street actions and write fantasy stories based on what I observed. When I don’t watch the world, I have interests in reading, painting, cooking, singing and in most of the common hobbies. Basically, I like to feel the ground under my feet. I will never jump off a bridge or a skyscraper to feel my heart in my mouth and my brain in my stomach just to have fun.

What hobby would I like to start?
I like to learn saxophone and play it until I am 100 years old. Perhaps that will keep me young, actually I am sure it will.

If I could tell people anything, what would be the most important thing to say?
Love, live and matter in people’s life.

What’s the best prank I have pulled off?
This is really funny, but I don’t know if it can translate well. I am Italian born and lived in Italy all my life until a few years ago when I decided to move to California.
One day in Italy, we were all teenagers, we decided to go to the cinema. A tall bald man was sitting in front of me covering most of the screen view, at least I thought he was. While he was watching the movie, he moved in his seat to the right and I moved to the left. He moved to the left and I moved to the right. I could not bare to watch the entire movie like that. So I invented something. I slapped his bald head saying: “Hello John, long time I haven’t seen you. What a coincidence, you are here too, why did you not say you were coming, we could come together?” Obviously he was surprised, he wasn’t anyone I knew, I just wanted him to move to another seat and he did. We were a group of belligerent, but innocuous teenagers sitting behind him, he couldn’t take us. As he moved to the upstairs balcony, we followed him in silence and sat right behind him again. This time we wanted to have fun. After about 10 minutes, I slapped his bald head again saying: “I am sorry sir, I thought you were my friend John. Excuse me, but downstairs there is a man who looks just like you, you might want to meet him”. Well that was the end of him that night. I think he left the cinema for good. Today those teenagers are all professionals, from lawyers to doctors, from bank directors to designers and architects and we never used any drugs, only simple fun.

What book am I planning to read next?
Generally read two books together. Perhaps next book will be a Molière comedy. Fun.

Coffee, Tea or Champagne?
Bubbles all the way.

Lemon Torte or Chocolate Cheesecake?
Chocolate cheesecake with added lemon flavor. Yummy!

10 Fabulous Nominees!

http://cosmiccowpie.com/blog/ – Navigate with Carra today’s stressful world.

http://bringingeuropehome.com/ – I love her story of Europe.

http://healthdemystified.wordpress.com/ – Health, fitness, and success.

http://nataliasarkissian.wordpress.com/ – Her postcard from Italy brings great story and pictures.

http://astimegoesbuy.me/ – About fashion dilemma.

http://thebigbookofdating.wordpress.com/ – Dos and don’t about dating.

http://letlifeinpractices.com/ – About Psychology, Relationships

http://grandmothermusings.com/ – Helpful hints on everything. She nominated me for this award.

Well, I am missing a few more bloggers, hope some of you will forgive me. You are all important to me, but it is late at night and I can’t connect my brain energy anymore. I have not worked on my book tonight, perhaps playing on-line was what I needed to do instead. Thank you for reading me. Ciao,
Valentina
www.Valentinadesigns.com

Valentina Cirasola is a professional interior designer still having fun with her work even after twenty-two years, showing no sign of wanting to quit. Her book on the subject of colors is just about ready to be published. Stay tuned for the launch of ©RED-A Voyage Into Colors. In the meantime check out her books on