To continue our series What Inspires Designers, let's chat today with Vanessa De Vargas who is both an Interior Designer and store owner, the energetic and talented force behind Turquoise Interior Design and Showroom in Los Angeles. This go-to girl is known for her modern interpretation on the classic Hollywood Regency style that was popular in the 60's and has since experienced a major revival over the past several years and continues to thrive in America.

The look is clean and clutter-free with neo-classical lines coupled with bold pattern and though it can go a bit flashy, Vanessa's interpretation is modern and even a bit minimalistic. Known for carefully mixing old and new, Vanessa softens what could easily become overly glam or cold by layering in texture and geometric prints but with restraint -- the room feels welcoming and warm without too much fuss. Her take on this style embodies and exudes 'class' in a way that feels elegant but also very attainable as her rates and the furniture she refinishes and sells is affordable, another reason why she's in high demand. In her rooms expect to see bold walls either through color or wallpaper, pairs of large colorful lamps, chinoseirie, a single mirror displayed above an entry table as a focal point, foo dogs or other ceramic animals painted in a solid color, bamboo fretwork chairs, lacquered furniture, a few Asian touches, and lucite. (More on Hollywood Regency Style here   from my friend Becky who writes the design blog Hatch.)

Vanessa is on the go and living her dreams in a profession that she not only is good at, but one that she loves waking up to each day. For this reason and so many more, I am inspired by this lovely lady. Now let's talk to Vanessa, shall we?

1. Why did you become a designer? I was always interested in design as a little girl. My mom would be constantly be finding new vintage pieces for our home in Hollywood (were I grew up) that she would have redone with new upholstery and/or a new finish. I guess it became inherit to me that I would follow in her footsteps.

2. What did you do before design? I was a talent agent at a very high profile agency in Los Angeles. I represented cameramen, production designers, costume designers for commercials and music videos. I had been working in the entertainment industry for a little over 10 years and then left it to pursue my love of interior design.

3. What challenges do you face? There are always challenges that pop up when you work with any client. Number one - always communicate. Remain calm, find options if something is not available or explain the situation and have a plan in place before you speak to them.

4. What is an average day like for you? Checking emails and coffee in the morning. Running errands for clients, checking on installs and checking in with vendors and contractors. Lunch with friends or grabbing food while having a client meeting at the store. If I have time left I will do some last minute vintage shopping and or do some research for clients. It there is a designer event, I will grab my dear friend Jordan (who is a Lucite designer) and check out at a fab opening or designer product launch event in town.

5. What do you do to recharge? I live just blocks from the ocean in Venice, CA so I try to spend as much time as I can going for walks on the beach, putting on my IPod and just watching the waves is my way to recharge my batteries.

6. How do you market your business and what seems to work? I email out updates and new pieces from my website and I always keep in touch with editors of magazines. It amazing how many press and media opportunities have come by way through just keeping in touch and following up.

7. Define your style. My style is so eclectic is so hard to process into words. The best way to articulate my style is that I bring all eras and styles together with a twist of modern, its been quoted eclectic minimalism.

8. How important do you feel your personal appearance is in relation to your brand? It's funny because my personal appearance is almost identical to my brand of design. I love mixing vintage and new items and that is exactly what I wear day to day. For example, I would match a black pair of slacks with a vintage red and white geometric coat with some vintage turquoise necklaces and new slingback black heels.

9. What trends do you love and what can you do without? I am a freak for anything (vintage) bamboo and cane. I just can’t get enough it! I also love tufting tufting tufting, I think it’s a classic trend that never goes out of style. I also believe in comfortable design. I’m not saying the overstuffed sofas are going to make a comeback but realistic design is important. Comfortable modern sofas, large oversized chairs in fun and geometric patterns with minimal pillows. Who needs all those pillows! I also think that durable fabrics weather they be sustainable or stain resistant is the best way to reupholster. It lasts especially with kids and pets. And who wants to spend all that money reupholstering items all over again?

 
10. What's next for you, future goals? Continuing with my high-end vintage store and business, maybe having two locations, creating larger scale interior design projects and working more on commercial projects. I am also working on some great projects that I can't discuss right now, but am very excited about them! More on that later...

11. What is your ultimate dream for yourself and your career? To be able to work for six months and travel for 6 months, but that is just pure fantasy to me at this time so perhaps in the future. I would love to be able to do more projects outside of CA and possibly go international with my designs.

12. Now let's have some fun! What perfume do you wear? I sometimes wear White Linen, which is what my grandmother wore - such a classic. I am big fan of Clinique Happy and Estee Lauder Sunflowers.

13. Favorite designers? Michael Berman, Betsy Burnham, HP&G  Molly Luetkemeyer and the unknown designers that are featured in many of my vintage design books from the 1960’s and 1970’s, wish I knew who they were.

14. ...And finally, describe your perfect getaway: The perfect getaway would be going to the Parker Palm Springs Hotel with my boyfriend. Sipping on non-stop frutie drinks being served poolside, a great lunch, massages followed by a wonderful sushi dinner. And repeated the next day!

 
Thank you Vanessa for visiting with us today on Simply Stated!

IF YOU ARE IN LA THIS WEEKEND... Please join Vanessa as she hosts a cocktail party with ferm LIVING to celebrate their 1st year anniversary on March 29th from 6-9 p.m. at 1409 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA. Please RSVP to turquoise.la AT gmail.com.

Readers: Get involved! If you have any questions that you'd like to know about Vanessa or Interior Design in general, please ask her by commenting below.

Where do designers find their inspiration? I thought it would be fun to start introducing you to some of my favorite designers, from those who create lovely textiles to interior spaces and beyond. I'll feature a few designer spotlights here on a monthly basis in Simply Stated Home & Organizing, so keep on the watch! Please comment below if there are any names you can think of that you'd love to read about here. They'll be quicker than a traditional Q & A interview but I'm sure that the fast bites of information will inspire you and these days, that's what we're all looking for, inspiration. Why? Because it often leads us to feeling motivated to do actual work and as we accomplish tasks we make progress and progress leads to greater happiness and increased self esteem, right? Not to mention how it impacts those around us.

Fabric by Virginia Johnson

My formula for success goes something like this: Inspiration = Motivation = Doing Actual Work = Completion of Task = Progress = Increased Self-Esteem = Joy = Inspiring Others Through Your Good Example.

Let's look today at Canadian Textile Designer Virginia Johnson, a lady who inspires me because she once designed for Helmut Lang and has even illustrated books for one of my favorite ladies in design today, Kate Spade. Eventually, Virginia moved on to successfully launch her own textile line, storefront in Toronto, and an online shop. Wow! Her large-scale prints are inspired by her travels and her juicy modern palette is both eye-catching and fresh. She not only offers her textiles off the bolt (love this!), but she carries fashion and accessories for the home for those not interested in stitching up their own creation.

Virginia's storefront in Toronto, Canada

Inside of her studio

Her light, airy fabrics can be used for a wide range of projects.

Here are a few things I recently discovered about the talented Virgina:

1. Favorite textile from the collection? VJ: 'Green Leaf' from three years ago. It always has a calming effect.
2. Three top travel destinations? VJ: India, New Zealand, California.
3. Perfume you wear? VJ: Jo Malone lotion: French Lime Blossom.
4. Describe a great evening at home. VJ: Making dinner, reading a good book, going to bed early.
5. How would you spend the perfect Saturday in Toronto? VJ: Eating decadent French Toast, walking through the park, some time by myself in my studio, and dinner with my boyfriend at a local restaurant.
6. What keeps you energized and focused so that you can continue to create? VJ: I really love clothes and pattern and colour, so it stimulates me without me having to make an effort at it. Also I structure my life in a way that allows the creativity to happen. I sleep 8-9 hours a night and most weeknights are pretty quiet. This allows me a lot of thinking and creative time for my work. Every so often I need to go somewhere stimulating, so I'll take a trip and explore. When my life feels happy and balanced my work is better.
7. What's next for your collection? VJ: We have just produced our first Fall line, which will debut in August.
8. Your favorite designers are... VJ: Issey Miyake and Dries van Noten. I think they're great artists and explorers.
9. Three people you'd love to have lunch with and why? VJ: Eileen Fisher – I'd love to know how she built her business while making her social conscience a priority. Dries van Noten – I've always admired him as a designer and how he takes craft techniques from all over the world and unites them in his own vision.  I also admire that his work is a personal exploration and he is not focused on trends. Muhammad Yunus – I'm interested in his new model for business: combining the 'risk-taking approach of business combined with the social objectives of a charity'.
10. How do you get through a creative rut? VJ: Usually I have to escape somewhere, either away from everything or somewhere exciting with a lot going on.
11. Favorite stores to shop for clothing and interiors? VJ: Auto in New York. Renata Bokalo has a great eye, and you can find everything from great homewares to children’s costumes. I recently spent some time in Brooklyn and fell in love with Layla and Bark.
12. Your favorite blog is... VJ: The Sartorialist.
13. You're currently reading... VJ: The Omnivore’s Dilemma.
14. Ultimately, what really matters in life to you? VJ: Spending time with my family, having a calm life, feeling inspired, creating.

Virginia also stocks totes and a collection of clothing for women.

Thank you Virginia for visiting us today at Real Simple and sharing a bit of your world with us. Much success to you and your fabulous collection!

(images from virginia johnson)