Umberto 2013 Interior Design Decoration E-book
Content
2013 I Int nte erior Des Desiign and and Dec Deco oration Ha Hand ndb book
A C om omp plet ete e Gu G uide to to C reating Yo Your ur PUERTA VALLARTA
Dream House 2013 Style&Trends
Update Umberto C ic c olella
Welcome To those of you who do not know me, I am a professional interior designer based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Mexico. It is my hope that this this e- book will give you insight into working with an interior designer in Puerto Vallarta and beyond. Whethe Whe therr it’s it’s a facel facelii or full full reno renova vat on, on, a add ddii on or new new construc cons truc on, the process process of interior interior design design always always remains remains the same. Concep Concept, t, planning planning and execu execu on! This This is my specialty. specialty. If you are thinking of taking the plunge yourself and moving to our wonderful corner of the world, I can tell you from personal experience that it is a great adventure that you will never regret. I wouldn’t change a thing. My journey to Puerto Vallarta has been a dream come true. This e-book is dedicated to the latest trends in interior design and decora on in Puerto Vallarta. Here’s hoping that 2013 brings brings all your dreams dreams to life. Create Create beau ful surroundings that are an extension of you. Express yourself through your home! Enjoy and and please don’t don’t hesitate hesitate to contac contactt me with comments comments or ques ques ons.
Umberto
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Table of contents contents Chapter 1
About Umberto
4
Chapter 2
Making the Move to Puerto Vallarta
5
Chapter 3
Leaving it all Behind
7
Chapter 4
Finding your Dream Home AND Design in Paradise
9
Chapter 5
Understanding Your Interior Design Needs
10
Chapter 6
Puerto Vallarta’s Signature Style
11
Chapter 7
Staying on Track With Your Interior Designer
13
Chapter 8
Interior Design Without Limits in Vallarta
19
Chapter 9
2013 Vallarta Trends and Styles
23
Chapter 10
Closing Thoughts
32
Chapter 11
Acknowledgements Acknowledgemen ts
33
Chapter 12
Credits
34
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About Umberto Umberto began his 35 year interior design career in New York City and Los Angeles, where he worked as a designer in the homes of the rich, famous and iconic. Now that he happily lives south of the border in Puerto Vallarta, he is excited to bring his interior design work to his many wonderful neighbors. Umberto works with clients in all budget levels. From condos to mansions, mansi ons, rental rental apartment apartmentss to vaca on homes, homes, Umberto Umberto does it all. It is Umberto’s passion to bring unique, well thought-out designs to complement the varied personali es of each cclient. lient. It is his philosophy to work hand in hand w with ith each client so that they will receive exactly what they are looking for in their homes interior design. Umberto’s view on interior design is to plan, plan, and plan upfront so that there will be no surprises in either the budget budget or the design. “I love my clients, and a coopera ve spirit coupled coup led with crea crea vity brings brings both both of us together,” together,” said Umberto. Umberto. Prospective clients are encouraged to visit Umberto’s website at http://www.UmbertoStudio.co http://www.UmbertoStudio.com m where they’ll discover his design philosophy, philosophy, pro le and gallery of of projects. For more information or to schedule an informal informal consultation, consultation, Umberto’s Interior Design Studio may be contacted directly via e-mail at [email protected] [email protected] m
[email protected] [email protected] www.umbertostudio.com www.umbertostudio.com Cell: 044 120 2931 U.S. 702 448 5153
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Making the move to Puerto Vallarta! By Umberto. Cashing out and hing the road for great adventures south of the border. It all happened so fast! fast! I guess for me that was was a good thing since I didn’t really have tme to think about how permanent and drastc what I was about to do. In 2004, my partner and I were living in Santa Monica, California. We had three houses, a Land Rover, a Mercedes, two businesses with offices and many employees, 25 years’ worth of possessions, and and 2 pug puppies! puppies! Everything one collects during 25 years of living in one place. Having just turned 50 years old, it was tme to ponder my life and what comes next? Should I contnue to work twelve hour days and keep everything together as it was or shake things up and say enough is enough? Why not shake things up? Really, change my life? Sell everything and go on an adventure? We opted for change! We sold, gave away and hauled off stu stuff that that we had collected and held onto for 25 years. I can’t tell you how many truckloads of 25 years of accumulaton that were hauled off as as junk. As far as the businesses, businesses, we consolidated consolidated them and luckily luckily had very trustworthy trustworthy and capable employees who we could depend on to keep things rolling, although we downsized to minimal operaton. Afer the goodbyes and farewell partes, we lef our friends and the comfortable life we had worked so hard to create in Los Angeles. Traveling light, o ff we we went to the airport with 10 of the largest suitcases we could find and our two dogs. We had no idea that the phrase “10 bags and 2 dogs” would later become our mantra. m antra. Every tme we move, it is the same 10 and 2. It I t means that we have stopped being collectors. Life becomes much simpler when you no longer feel the need to accumulate material things. Living on the light side is good. We headed for a rental house in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico that we had arranged the month before while on a quick trip to Mexico. Puerto Vallarta is a wonderful place, and and was the perfect place to start our a adventure. dventure. We were able to ease into a di ff erent erent culture. Afer 50 years of Americans and Canadians invading their once sleepy fishing village, the people of Puerto Vallarta have learned to
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accommodate us and speak English and most importantly understand our very American mindset. Most businesses are geared to doing business with us, so while it was a big change, it was much easier than moving to a foreign country that didn’t have the experience with Americans that the people of Puerto Vallarta have. People from Puerto Vallarta are known in México as “Pata “ Pata Saladas,” or ”Sandy Feet.” That’s who they are. That That always reminds me of of living in New York. We always said that that Californians have the feet in the sand, due to the slower paced lifestyle and easy going nature. “Don’t worry be happy” is truly is a rule the Mexican culture lives by and I love it. While living in Vallarta and crea creang our dream home, we started vaca vacaoning further south of the border, to South America America and fell in love with Buenos Aires. Adventure called once again and we sold our place in Vallarta. We packed our 10 suitcases and 2 dogs and headed for Buenos Aires, Argen Argenna and built a new new life there. We purchased an an incredible French style apartment and found life there so fantas fantasc. The Argen Argenne culture is so diff diff erent erent than Mexico, even down to the dialect o off Spanish they spea speak. k. We really were immersed in a truly diff diff erent erent culture. It was quite a culture shock. shock. While living in Mexico, I felt comfortable with my Spanish but once we made the move to South America, I was completely lost lost since they speak Casllian Spanish. Spanish . The language is not just a dialect, but almost a new language, so I had to hire a teacher and start almost all over again. It was a great experience and once again, through vaca vaca ons, we developed an everincreasing interest in Uruguay, specifi speci fically Punta del Este.. Well, before you know it, we we had sold the apartment in Buenos Aires and were off off to to Punta del Este. We purchased a 10 acre “chacra” or mini, mini, non-working farm. Our only crop was gardens full of flowers and fields of lavender. The house was was a 120 year year old farm house. Very beau beauful and very idyllic, but a li lile too quiet for us. By then we had developed a pa paern of every few years picking up and moving, we were officially nomads and enjoying the adventure. In the end, we made a decision that Vallarta was our paradise and moved back 3 years ago. Our adventure was a wonderful wonderful experience but maybe our nomad days days are over and finally we really do feel Vallarta is our true true home. But you never know!!! We s sll have our 10 suitcases and 2 dogs!
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Leaving It All Behind… Letting Go How do you let go of the things that you have collected over the y years ears w with ith such such vi vigor gor and and pass passion? ion? A er all, all, these things are part of you and in a sense, even define you. Like old friends who are ther there e for you through thick and thin. Without them, your life would seem incomplete. Most people I know are similar to me. They spent their 20’s and 30’s amassing material wealth. When you reach your 50’s it starts to become less important to you. In my case, I began using the things that I had so proudly accumulated less frequently, and started viewing them as expendable. ‘Why do I have all this stuff?’ I wondered. wondered. The memories of collec ng all my material material belongings belongings were much much be er than the the thought thought of ow owning ning th them em now now.. When we decided decided to “make the move”, there were major considera considera ons. How do we disass disassemble emble 25 years years of a life full of purc purchasin hasing g and colle colle
g? You accu accumula mulate te th these ese tthing hingss bel believin ieving g that that the they y
will be with you for life. Now you are going to part with possessions that gave you security and joy, but at the same me have limited or stopped you from going where you could could go and doing what you would like do. I have many friends who maintain storage units where they stow away all the things they just can’t part with. They know that one day they will have to revisit this stuff and make a decision on what to do with it. The The storage bills bills are a con nual reminder reminder of the need to to do something about about all the possessions they have stowed away, and move on. As you buy things you feel like they have such great value, especially collectables and When you you decide decide to let let go of these these tthing hingss you lea learn rn tha thatt the they y have ve very ry
ques.
le value value and it’s it’s hard hard to
get rid of them. I must admit that each me y you ou do this, it becomes becomes easier. I was more experienced experienced with with ”le ng go” and knew that my life would s ll be happy and complete complete withou withoutt these possessions possessions that had seemed so important just months earlier. Don’t get me wrong! I
collect and purchase m material aterial items, but I do it knowing that they will
not own me. me. I can walk walk away from from them, and s l be the same person and lead a happy life.
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My mantra is the same- 10 large suitcases and 2 dogs. The rest can be replaced and you can’t let le t it tie you down. Trust me - after the first couple of times it’s a piece of cake. I can now move in a matter of days. The last time we put up our home for sale in Uruguay, we waited until we sold to decide where to live next. We had 25 days to choose a place to live, pack up our o ur 10 suitcases and 2 dogs and leave for our new adventure. I still believe that the memories of the beautiful things you own are better than the reality of them owning you. Possessions are like a beautiful love affair that comes to an end. But you will always have them - they stay with you in the form of great memories. The memories of the courtship, romance and finally, an amazing relationship they all live with you forever.
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Finding Find ing your dream dream home and des design ign in parad paradise ise
Ok, so your realtor has shown you a great place. place. There are some decora ng or design issues that have have you wondering wondering if you should go ahead and and buy your poten al dream home. That’s the me to call a designer. Most Most people don’t really stop and think that a good designer desig ner is happy happy to meet meet you for an an ini al consul consulta ta on and and give give you input input at no charge. charge. In fact, you can meet with a few designers to get di ff erent erent ideas and feedback. Both the designer designer and the client gain from this consulta consulta on. You must must know if there there is a mutual vision for a project without at the very least an hour walk through of the project talkin talking g style style,, budge budget, t, pos possib sibili ili es, perso personal nalii es. A designer designer/clien /clientt rela onship onship is a very very special special connec connec on. You know know when it’s right! right! At mes it’s a rela onship that involves more than than 1 client. Married couples couples have their own way of working together. A designer needs to blend with the family, understand their needs, and find the best way to work through a project involving their home. A realtor who brings in a trusted interior designer to give the client feedback and ideas on how to make a property their dream home gains gains in their client rela onship and and helps close sales. A property may have been passed on just because the client didn’t know that the changes they wanted are simple and can be completed on a budget. Whether you are are in the posi posi on of just purchasing or are already already a homeowner, homeowner, thinking about changes in your home should always be based on your lifestyle and they way you live but we also always need to consider that these decisions may aff ect ect us down the road someday if we decide to sell.
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Understanding Your Interior Design Needs Ge ng what what you want, want, the way way you want want it will always always be easier easier with with a professio professional nal at your side. Use their experience, knowledge knowledge and exper se to assure a great great result at the price you want. You set the budget and together we decide what we do, when and how! Designing, decora decora ng…it’s all so confusing. confusing. What do you want want and how how do you get it? You tell Umberto your needs and he will work with you as a partner to get the results you want and bring it in on budget! Over the years the interior design design business has changed changed dras cally. The days days of a designer designer deciding what you need and running the show are long gone. Today clients know what they want and have a budget in mind. Whether you know exactly what you want and just need someone to execute the design or need help developing the design, we can bring out the best of a design partnership working together to create the home of your dreams. We will decide on a valuebased design fee that is within your budget and without surprises – go into the project knowing exactly what you are paying for design fees. Umberto is also very adept at working with out of town clients. With email and technology it’s become so easy to keep in contact and the client has complete control and sees the progress prog ress on the the project as as well as any op ons in every asp aspect ect of the project. project. You are able to return to your paradise dream home – complete and ready to enjoy.
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Puerto Vallarta’s Signature Style
Enjoy our beau ful paradise paradise and s ll have have all all the the comfor comforts ts of of ho home. me. Vallarta has developed a signature style that now includes modern décor blended with the best of Puerto Vallarta’s art and culture. All the comforts of home are available. It is possible to have the perfect home in Vallarta, decorated exactly as you have always envisioned envis ioned.. No se ling for less less a and nd no stress stress ! You would be surprised how aff ordable ordable w workin orking g with with a designer designer can can be! In fact, fact, ge ge ng exactly what you want the first me can save you quite a bit of money dow down n the road. Repain ng for the the third me to get that just just right, “Vallarta feel,” is a lot of money that that could have been perfect the first me. As an interior designer and owner of the Vallarta-based Umberto Design Studio, I am o en aske asked dan num umber ber of ques ques ons about about inte interio riorr de desig sign n an and d decora decora ng in in Puert Puerto o Valla Vallarta rta;; both the process and the fees.
Design fees and costs in Puerto Vallarta Work with your designer to come up with a fee structure that you are comfortable with. This is extremely important. In Puerto Vallarta, designers allow for either a set fee or a by the hour arrangement. This allows for flexibility.
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Naturally, it is important to work with an experienced designer to get the the end end produc productt you desi desire. re. Duri During ng th the e ini al co consu nsulta lta on, both the designer and client get a good sense of whether they are a good match, and if they have the right chemistry to work well together. If the pre-planning with your interior designer is thorough, as it must be, then you will know exactly what you’re going to get. From the furniture placement placement to new wall wall addi ons, pre-planning allows you to know down to the last detail what you need. But make sure that you hav have e an extremely efficient, organized interior designer who plans!
K eeping the pro ject on budget… it’s not as hard as you think ! A good Vallarta Vallarta designer always completes detailed planning and budg budge e ng AND follows the agreed-upon terms; managing costs accordingly. If you follow these guidelines, you can sail away to a happy design.
Finally… Every project and budget is diff erent. erent. Find a designer whom you feel comfortable working with. You have have to be compa ble, in both vision and working working styles. You You are doing to be working very close and on a personal basis. If it’s your first purchase in Vallarta or you’re interested in giving your house a “ fluff -up,” faceli or a
complete compl ete renova renova on on,, pleas please e give give me me a call call for a free free iini ni al ccon onsul sulta ta on. I love love
working with clients who share share a passion to create a wonderful environment. I pride myself at making my clients as comfortable as possible, every step of the way, way , and always within budget.
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Staying on Track and on Budget With Your Interior Designer Whether it’s a new home, re-do, decora decora ng, complete complete makeover, small, medium or largeit’s all the the same, as far far as the process. process. All All the me spent spent researchin researching, g, planning planning,, reviewin reviewing g floor plans, furniture arrangement to scale on your floor plan, doing paper to size cut outs, looking at paint, color samples, etc. at all mes of the day, are important. important. The more you explore and defi de fine your your plan, style colors colors,, furniture furniture,, etc. th the e be er the results you can achieve. Specifi Speci fica on sheets sheets for for every piece of of furniture furniture can can save save you me, money and the disappointmen disappointmentt of not achieving the result you expected, or even worse- a piece of furniture custom made may not enter the hallways, doorways. The most successful projects are well planned, executed and come in on or under budget.
How do you achieve that? that? Through design, design, planning & organizaton.
Whether you are a do it yourself or a professional designer, – the same sound sound principles apply; you need dependable contractors, tradesmen, suppliers and vendors. Planning is the legwork part; don’t take anything for granted. Each element has a great importance. Paperwork is part of being organized. Selecng the elements and samples, and creang budgets are thatwill require me and effort. Smart contracts willsuppliers include melines for payments andcategories progress that incenvize your contractors, tradesmen, and vendors. This me and effort you spend will go a long way toward smooth operaons and great outcomes. Again, with with each of these these categories, it’s the me and eff ort ort you spend working on the plan, each me you work work on a design project that that you discover an overlooked detail or a be er design or even a major problem problem that could could be easily avoided in the planning sstage tage but could be very costly later in the project. Plan, plan and plan some more.
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The Niy-Griy Details Inital Meetng Eleven critcal questons must be discussed in the ini tal meetng and start of the design process. These are questons that only you and I can answer together:
Who will be using the space and what are their various needs? How many people will be using the space and who are these people? What are your style and color preferences? How long will the space be used? Daily? Monthly? Seasonally? Is the property a principal residence, 2nd home or an investment? What does the client hope to achieve through commissioning the work? What is the scope of work? What is the budget? Do you have furnishings you will be using or are you shipping furnishings into the country? What is the tme frame for completon? Are you comfortable with the design fees, payment schedule, contracts? Great design looks amazing, beautful, unplanned… but the truth is that interior design is a process. The perfect home looks as if it was born that way. The work behind the scenes in a great interior design is always invisible. There is a process that creates this wonderful environment which is achieved through great vision and style. A creatve collaboraton between the client and designer. With a great interior, comes lots and lots of planning. Creatvity, collaboraton and executon are the key. 8 key components of the design process: Concept Scope of work Budget Planning Specificatons Agreement Executon Completon Details of each component: component:
Concept: Every project is unique. These are the key elements in the Concept phase. It is critcal to understand the client’s vision to begin the process.
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Style: Understanding the client’s aesthetc vision in design. It may vary from Style: minimalist to over the top dramatc… or somewhere in-between. Blending the interior with the exterior architecture is highly important. Fusing the client’s style with the reali tes of the project create a home that is grounded and un-forced. It is an art. Discovering the client’s vision for a par tcular project is the keystone to success. Someone with traditonal taste might wish to stray from the usual and do something completely tropical due to the incredible surroundings. Color pallets, furniture, surfaces, spaces, architectural elements are all variables that can change with locaton and the type of property and how it is going to be used. Functon on:: How will the house be used? Is I s it a primary residence, seasonal property, second home, or will it be rented out? If the home will be used as a rental property, proper ty, this may influence the choices of finishes and fabrics.the It issize also important know of people who the home, ofextremely partes that might betogiven inthe theamount home, and the ages of will the live in occupants. Architecture: The interior and exterior architecture are usually established, but it is important to fuse the architecture with the new design- whether that means staying true to the architecture or fusing the architecture with harmonious styles. It may also mean renovatons -adding or changing architectural elements to create a fresh look for the vision of the finished project. Color Pallet: Pallet: Color changes everything. Selectng the proper color pallet is crucial and will set a mood and style for the entre project. Working as a team and deciding on a range of color is a great beginning to any design project. Scope of work: It is important to de fine all the work within the project and detail what each item entails with estmated costs for each item. With that informaton in hand, it is possible to determine a preliminary overall budget. At tmes, a client has a pre-determined budget and with that informaton, it is important to talk realistcally about what can be achieved for a par tcular amount. This avoids disappointment and frustratons and helps clarify the project. Other tmes clients have a set sum of money to work with and that is the budget. Even with a smaller budget, much can be accomplished.
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Budget:
The scope of work should make it easy to determine a rough budget. The budget should be determined only afer all aspects of the project are determined. Changes and additons afer work begins are not only more costly but can change the energy and outcome of t he project. The more detailed the plan the be er the outcome. t
t
Designing andmoney decoracan ng become your home should be exci ng As in most relatonships, a problem if things areand notenjoyable. up-front and realis tc. It is always good to allow for contngencies and unexpected expenses, but the more detailed and clear the plans and budget are, the more you can rest assured that the project will come in on budget. Payment schedules:
Payment schedules are usually based on progress. A clear understanding of the payment schedule is critcal. The contractors should be on a progress payment schedule as well as the designer fees. The designer should be paid in phases di ff erent erent from the contractors, material houses or furniture companies. The contractors or “trades” involved in the project should also provide estmates of their work. Any city permit fees need to be included in the budget as well as clean up, condo regulatons and any other ancillary consideratons. In additon, physical changes other than decoratng may require an architect and their accompanying fees. Planning:
At this point, with the scope of the work and budget determined, it is tme to put it all down on paper. That includes a 1st draf of the floor plans, estmated costs of all expenses for the project and tmelines. It should include lists of all contractors, materials, furniture, t
fi
ligh ng, xtures, designer’s fees… everything needed to complete the project from start s tart to finish. This porton of the process gives the client a glimpse of the completed job as well as insight into whether the budget is within their expectatons. This is the moment to discuss changes, cuts or additons. If this estmated cost far exceeds the budget, it’s tme to look at scaling back the project or make adjustments in how the money is being spent. Specificatons - Research and Resources:
Researching finishes and sourcing materials/furniture, and then specifying them are critcal to the design and budget. Contractors who provide quality workmanship on- tme and on-budget are also of extreme importance. It clarifies what you’re geng and the costs involved.
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Thanks to the internet, it’s easy to see all of the choices available as well as samples of colors, fabrics, and textures. This is the ideal phase of the project to resolve design and budget issues. There are endless materials, finishes and furniture choices; all great, but usually diff er er greatly in price. It’s a good good me to look at costs and and perhaps perhaps change change the scope of the work or change furniture, fixtures, finishes or materials to keep the budget in line without sacrificing the integrity of the design. Compromises made at this point will ensure you get the design you want without the problems of being over budget and overstressed. All these changes are on paper at this point and are quite simple to change. In the later phases of the project they are costly and some som e mes hea heartb rtbrea reakin king. g. Agreement: Here the client and designer come to agreement as to what will be done. Final plans and itemized budgets budgets are prepared prepared and and submi ed to the client for approval. approval. It’s also one last chance cha nce to addr address ess que quess ons ons,, conce concerns rns an and d possi possible ble chan changes ges.. A er consi consider dera a on, the final plans should be set and the agreement for the project signed. t
Execu With allon: the details finalized, it is me to talk about a meframe, start date, work schedule, progress progress reports, reports, targeted targeted delivery date and and preferred communica ons regarding progress and reviewing the design so everyone is kept up to date.
It’s always a good prac ce to set up weekly updates updates or conference conference calls calls during the project. Open communica on ensures that everyone is on the same page and is up to date. Site visits are great but may not be possible; in which case, photos of progress or video clips are helpful. helpf ul. If there are are chang changes es or addi addi ons, whic which h are very very common common with with renova renova on, it’s it’s an absolute necessity to have a pre-arranged form of acknowledging and confirming the change chan ge and and its addi onal cost or savings savings..
Having these Having these signed cha change nge orde orders rs is cri cri cal for all par es. Too many mes this aspec aspectt of of a job can veer veer out of control. Keeping a running tab tab on changes changes and costs avoids s cker shock at the end of a job. Completon: Once the work is completed and approved by the client, the final payments are distributed. Depending on the project, accessories, household items such as linens, kitchen kitc hen equipm equipment, ent, art, may be be included included in a turnk turnkey ey projec projectt or done a er the the ini al project is complete as a secondary project. In Summary: Hopefully this will give you some insight into how to enjoy the process of making your
dream home into a reality.
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I like to refer to the saying “Well begun is half done,” or in other words,a words ,a good beginning assures success.
A good interior designer is successful when the finished product is your vision of comfort and style. Exactly what you wanted and cost what you planned to spend. It all comes down to the planning stages! Plan, plan, plan…. And then plan some more! I believe there are 3 most memorable moments during du ring a projec proj ectt , 1. The ex excit citement ement of st artin arting g t he proj projec ectt 2. The min minut ute e t hing hings s feel like they are falli falling ng apart apart 3. Whe When n eve everyt rything hing comes comes t ogether
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Interior Design Without Limits In Our Tropical Paradise of Vallarta New products ,materials and availability have removed the boundaries on design and decoration in PV.
Puerto Vallarta is an amazing, amazing, beau ful place to live; there is no doubt about about it. Luckily for us, para paradis dise e has has become become more more cosm cosmopo opolit litan an with with all all possi possible ble amen amenii es. S ll, our our clima clima c paradise para dise poses poses a number number of challenges challenges when when designing designing and decora decora ng. Interior design is dependent on the use of materials such as paint, wood and fabrics. Without the specialized knowledge of an interior designer, a project in Vallarta can quickly go aw awry ry du due e to to our our cl clima ima c con condi di on ons. s. We may live in i n paradise, but we all know that the sun, heat, humidity, and heavy rainfall can wreak havoc on our homes. The trick is to choose materials wisely. We now have a wide array of products available to us that make great design possible without constant maintenance.
The following are some tips when working working with interior design materials in Puerto Puerto Vallarta: Color Pallets: When picking your colors in Puerto Vallarta anything goes. Keep in mind
that cool breezy colors create that casual, cool feeling that many of us are going for. Lighter Light er colors colors are are o en be be er, but but warm warm feeling feelingss may may be evoke evoked d without without feelin feeling g hot hot or heavy. A blend of Mexican and modern color pallets are very popular in some of today’s most popular homes. Monotone and neutral colors coupled with art and accent accessories provide just the look many residents are look for. Furniture: All wood furniture in your home should be a solid hardwood. Primavera or
Parota woods are two popular choices in our part of the world. If you you fal falll in lov love e with with an an a
que qu e or ru russ c pie piece ce of of furn furnit itur ure e that that is is pine pine or or a so so wo wood od,,
you should certainly have it sprayed for termites and check it periodically. Upholstery: With the availability of hardwood frames, Dacron, foam, Sunbrella fabrics, and other durable weather-proof weather-proof co on, any style upholstered upholstered furniture furniture is available available to us.
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We are not limited limited to the old Vallarta Vallarta style style concrete concrete base base built-in built-in banque banque es, which which are not all that comfortable and limit design. It is import important ant to to s ll be carefu carefull to have have some some type type of wood wood or or man-made man-made materi material al foo ng on furniture to keep the furniture up o ff the the floor. This provides space for adequate cleaning and helps keep things dry. Slipcovers are always an an excellent op on in Vallarta. These wonderful wonderful accoutrements are easily washable and easy to keep mold free. If stained, slipcovers are always replaceable, unlike unlik e the furni furniture ture they they are are protec protec ng. Window Wi ndow C overings: Wind Window ow treatmen treatments ts and shades shades are are much much be er choices choices in Puerto Puerto
Vallarta than only curtains or drapes. drapes. Great window cover designs designs and technology specifically designed designed for for sunny, humid humid climates climates are a wonderfu wonderfull innova on. If curtains are are a must for your decor, make sure they are sun sun resistant and ghtly woven/stable fabrics. Some fabrics easily shrink or stretch in our humidity and sun. Remember that your hard surface floors require require cleani cleaning ng and this this can also also be problema problema c with curtains. Art: If you choose wood frames, use hardwood frames whenever possible with your
hanging hangi ng pieces. pieces. Once Once again, termites termites and and mold can be quite quite problema problema c. With the the popularity popularity of both both tradi tradi onal and and modern modern oil oil pain ngs in interi interior or design, design, special special care must be taken to protect these special pieces from sun damage. Window shades, nted glass, or shaded overhangs overhangs are preferable when protec ng your precious precious works of art. Paint: Ensure that you purchase paint with a high quality mold resistance. Primer is also
cri cal to prol prolong onging ing pain painted ted finishes. High quality mold resistant paints may seem expensive, but will save money in the end. Floors: Floors should always be a hard surface in a tropical climate; stone, marble,
ceramic, porcelain, or concrete are preferable. If possible use the resin type grout that is extremely hard and resist to dirt and color changes. Wall to wall carpets are not advisable. It is almost impossible to keep carpets dry and odor free. Wood floors are are possible possible but highly highly prob problema lema c. These These flooring materials are highly suscep susc ep ble to humidi humidity ty and and warping warping.. Just remember that where dampness and humidity are king, so are stone-based floors or other hard surface flooring materials.
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Area Rugs: In order to create a defined area area with with color color and pa pa ern, area area rugs rugs are a must must
in Puerto Vallarta. Once again, just be sure that the rug you choose is easy to clean and mold resistant. Also, keep in mind that hard surface floors must be cleaned frequently, and area rugs can create more maintenance. If you use area rugs, make sure that they are easy to move so you can clean under them with ease. Shade: With our hot sun, shade shade is always always a considera considera on for residents residents of Vallarta. Vallarta. Sun and
heat loads can be severely hard on finishes, art and furniture. Properly placed shade can help curtail any problems. The French style retractable retractable awnings are are a great solu on if you do not wish to block the the sun for the the en re day. If you are using using these type type of awnings, awnings, the best fabric fabric choice is Sunbrella. Palapas are of the true old Vallarta style and create a perfect ambience. Many clients prefer tradi onal designs material such as the Palapas. Palapas. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, these these require quite a bit of maintenance. Luckily, Luckily, every year new ne w products that imitate the Palapas look through throu gh synthe synthe c material material are more more and more more available. available. Terrace Furniture: Micr MicroTex oTex ra an furniture furniture is great great and easy easy to maintain. maintain. Alumin Aluminum um
with mesh is also a great great lightweight op on. Cushions Cushions must be covered in Sunbrella or a similar material. Also, be aware that in the rainy season (July through September) it is i s impossible to leave these cushions outside, so plan an area where they can be easily stored. During the rainy season, it is also important that you store lightweight aluminum outdoor furniture indoors. High winds can easily destroy these pieces. Sun Position: If there is no shade shade protec protec on, your interior may easily face face the possibility possibility
of sun dama damage. ge. Alway Alwayss remembe rememberr that the sun sun in Vallar Vallarta ta changes changes posi posi on dras dras cally from winter to summer. A terrace that only received gentle sun during the winter may face harsh harsh a ernoo ernoon n sun in the summ summer er months months.. Air Circulaton: Being able to enjoy the natural climate and open-air feeling is one of the
pleasures pleas ures of para paradise. dise. Be sure to chec check k for for good good cros cross-ven s-ven la on. Ceiling fans are a wonderful, wonderful, aesthe aesthe cally pleasing pleasing way to create great crosscross-flow. Ceiling fans not only circulate the air, but also help with mosquitoes and other annoying bugs.
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Air Conditoning: The hot hot summe summerr months months o en requi require re air air condi condi oning oning for for comfor comforta table ble
sleeping. sleepi ng. Mini-split Mini-split air air condi condi oners are very very popul popular ar here here and and are are o en the the perfect perfect answer to the air condi condi oning conundrum. conundrum. With good design and and planning, planning, you can control cont rol zones zones of your living space space without without central central air for your your en re home. When purchas purchasing ing mini-split mini-splits, s, it is advisable advisable to go a li le oversized oversized for the area you need need to cover. Mini-splits are sold in tonnage. I suggest 1 ton for every 500 Sq. Ft. of room that you want to cool. There are virtually unlimited amounts of brands available. Always remember the old adage; you get what you pay for. This is i s especially in the case of minisplit spl it air-co air-condi ndi oning oning units units.. Roofs and Rain: Make sure that all terraces and roofs are checked yearly before the rainy
season to avoid costly damages that could be avoidable through maintenance. Plants: In Vallarta, you can keep a veritable jungle jungle of indoor indoor plants. plants. A er all, we we are living
in the “jungle.” Just remember that the environment can also cause mold and fungus to take root on your indoor plants. Always check and spray these plants as necessary. Closets: Air circul circula a on is cri cal in closets. closets. Withou Withoutt a humidit humidity y control control devic device e or running running
an air air condi condi oning oning unit, unit, items items le in closets closets need need to be checked checked and aired aired out out periodic periodically ally to avoi avoid d mold mold damage damage.. Shu Shu ered doors doors or wood wood la la ce doors doors allo allow w some some circul circula a on and are recommended. Hire an Interior Designer for Peace of Mind
Hopefully, some of these ps will get you thinking about your homes, decora ons and interior design materials here in Puerto Vallarta. Whether you are a new resident or have lived lived here here you yourr en re life, life, k keep eeping ing your your home homess and and decora decora ons in p-top p-top condi condi on is important. Hiring an experienced, local local interior designer designer with specialized clima c knowledge knowledge is a smart thing to do when designing. Local professionals take all of the clima c challenges into considera on when planning a design. design. If you do-it-yourself make sure that you are are as well versed versed as possib possible le to all clima clima c respects. respects. For a more complete complete look at materials what what work well well in our climate climate as well as more ps and tricks on interior design, head to www.umbertostudio.com/Design_Tips.html
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2013 Vallarta Styles and Trends For Vallarta Homes
And now as promised, here is a look at what’s hot and trending for 2013 in Vallarta. As a designer, I feel that keeping my ear to the ground and knowing the latest trends in real estate, interior design, decoraton and arts is a big big part of my work. Not just in Puerto Puerto Vallarta, but internatonally as well since we’re not just North Americans anymore. I have interviewed realtors, developers, developers, designers, home furnishing and and material stores,art galleries, as well as some of Puerto Vallarta’s residents, known for their incredible taste and eye toward the future. We asked what they are seeing and gathered a sampling of each segment of interior design to give you an overview of the overall trends right here in our town. Space and Style t
t
Crea ng more open spaces con nues to be the leading trend. Today’s lifestyle demands open concept living, especially in Vallarta, where lifestyle and entertaining are a priority. “Open Concept” is a must rather than an opt on. No one wants to be cut off for for the world in a closed in kitchen or dining room. Sof contemporary interiors mixed with signature pieces that add flavor and make it personalized are the norm. Today’s contemporary interiors are sofer and more neutral than in the past and allow for blending of many styles of furnishings, art and accessories. There is a bigger focus on long term value and warmth. Homeowners are more willing to wait for the right furnishings and know that they are geng quality and individuality. Welcoming and friendly are key words. Casual elegance is a theme throughout, even in the higher-end markets. Color Pallet
Neutral pallets contnue to be mandatory, but the neutrals for 2013 pack a li le more punch. Gray, white and beige rule but they are charged with more depth. They are the neutrals that are more than o ff white white but stll provide for a soothing backdrop for a wide range of furniture, accessories and lightng. All colors are nature based rather than the bold brighter colors of the past. It’s all about color hue, density and tone, but in a neutral family of colors. All colors provide for comfortable, easy living backgrounds that allow the focus to be more on art, accessories and the people in the space.
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These colors off er er a great opportunity to splash color in a room without overwhelming the surroundings. Breathtaking Breathtaking views, lush tropical greenery from outdoors take center stage. Another concept goes back to quality. A stone floor and other architectural elements are permanent. As color pallets and trends change, these basic elements will remain tmeless. Architectural Elements
Since quality and longevity are more important , the permanent architectural elements of a home are more important than ever. The flooring, windows, doors and cabinetry are the bones of the house. There’s an even greater emphasis on these elements. Durable and high quality is mandatory. Stone, porcelain and ceramic rule in flooring,trending more toward stone floors in mae finishes and lighter colors that arevery neutral with an eye toward longevity and quality.
Kitchens and baths are trending more and more towards European cabinetry systems with stone flooring, bathroom walls and countertops. The array of great doors and windows that we have available here in Vallarta is simply amazing! Window treatments treatments should be used used for functon. Privacy and protecton from the sun, not just decoraton. A very famous friend of mine always said, “A truly great house doesn’t need window treatments and elaborate curtains.” Try not to decorate with window treatments. Use sparingly and as a functonal element. Decoration
Furniture has become a blend of clean lines and furniture of all periods and styles including of course some the more refined Mexican artsan styles of furniture. Eye for Design and Art with a true signature style Vallarta has given me the great pleasure of ge ng to know Liz Miller, a good friend and in my opinion, a true visionary in interior design, decoraton and and art. Although her background is in publishing, having served as the publisher of Los Angeles Magazine
,
it’s clear to see that her passion is in the decoratve arts. With a very discerning eye, she has put together an amazing Vallarta retreat on Vallarta’s South Shore. Her home captures your imaginaton the moment moment you enter. The architectural architectural elements and upholstered pieces are white and variatons thereof, right on trend, and allow the incredible art pieces to take center stage, all with an amazing Pacific view that can’t be beat.
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She said, “My palee is white and I like li ke accessories to be bold and oversized to create a more modern feel. I also like to use statement pieces like my coff ee ee table which is a Howdah - a teak plat o orm rm that used to carry a Maharaja on the back of an elephant!” says Liz. Liz. Liz describers her style as Mexican Shabby Chic; oversized white slip-covered furniture accented with contemporary Mexican and Oaxacan Oaxacan pillows, 5-foot tall hand-painted Mexican talavera pots (called Tibors), combined with contemporary art and lighng fixtures, but it all provides the background for an impressive art collecon by Rogelio Diaz.
Diaz is a fabulous local PV ar st who is considered by many as Mexico's Jean-Michel Basquiat. “To me this is what living in Vallarta is all about! You can create your hom home e and lifestyle within the beauful surroundings of this tropical paradise.” paradise.” Liz Miller, a true Vallarta Vallarta trendseer. er.
Art and Accessories
Galleria Dante Claire Guarniere of Galleria Dante, Vallarta’s largest and most eclecc art gallery, recently spoke with me regarding Vallarta trends in art purchasing and collecng. Represenng more than 60 internaonal arsts, ranging from museum quality masterpieces to works created by emerging arsts, primarily Mexican, Claire has been overseeing the trends in art and sculpture in Vallarta for over 18 years. On the subject of the latest trends, Claire said, “being a tourist town we see everything from the emoonal sale to first me buyers to seasoned art collectors. Some collectors only buy art that makes them happy, while others purchase thought-provoking, intense art. With the increase of real estate purchases, we are seeing both the purchase of art as an investment, but also decorave. At one point 100% of art sold was shipped, but now 50% stays locally. Two dimensional art is always more popular, sculpture sculpture is a harder sell, partly due to cost, but also placement. But for the sculpture lover we have one of the largest selecons of sculpture than almost any gallery anywhere. Warm colors, such as red re d and oranges sell more than cooler blues and purples.
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At one me the majority of art was purchased by American consumers, consumers, but but with the growth of Vallarta and the fluctua ng exchang exchange e rate, we are are seeing more more Canadia Canadian n and Mexican consumers. As far as what sells best: That is really personal taste. If you surreal art is your passion, Israel ZZepda is one of the best. For Classical - Guillermo Gomez & Alvaro Zardoni, for naif - Ignacio Guerrero, for contemporary - Oscar Zamarripa, Guillermo Brockmann, Brewster Brockmann, for whimsy - Miguel angel Mar n del Campo, Campo, master of bird and fowl - Cherie Sibley, portrait and realism - Nicolas Gomez, for expressionism -Yvan Genest. Every Eve ry year year ther there e are are new ar st sts, s, new new style styles, s, keep keeping ing the market market fre fresh sh and and e exci xci ng. La La nAmerican art is popular, a good value and a good investment.
Christopher Wynn Christophe Chris topherr Wynn’s Wynn’s studio studio con nues to be be a favorite favorite spot spot off ering ering clients tasteful fine furnishings and accessories. accessories. Christopher has a great esthe esthe c for blending elegance with with ff
scale and style using the best ar sans Mexico has to o er. The end result result is right on trend for Vallarta’s signature signature style. With his fusion of contemporary contemporary and and Mexican flavors, Christopher’s studio can help you find just the right piece that your home needs to celebrate the Mexican culture. Christopher says of his unique style, “I believe that my shop represents a blend of Mexican style sty le and and tradi tradi on with with an upsc upscale ale look. look. I see see the the trend trend con nuing nuing tto o be a b beau eau ful blend blend of the old with the new, with both the city and seascape looking towards the future while perseverin perse vering g and and respec respec ng the the past.” past.” Always with exquisite flare, Christopher off ers ers shoppers a tasteful and unique experience. Whether it be an over-sized hand-carved hand-carved armoire or hand-cra ed silver inlaid jewel box, box, owner Christopher Christopher Wynn’s self self named bou que is a must must stop for for those seeking seeking the finest signature piece for their home.
Fabrics
Large upholstered pieces or slipcovers in in very neutral colors: colors: small chairs, o omans, pillows are free to to run the the color and pa ern spectrum. This This is an area area you can can express yourself, yours elf, knowing knowing that that these these elements elements are easy to change. change. Co on is always always king! Sunbrella for outdoors and the lighter weight Sunbrella for interiors should encompass solids in neutral colors or linen textures.
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Real Estate and Interior Design
In order to off er er a complete overview of the trends, I interviewed four of Vallarta’s top realtors and and developers. As Puerto Vallarta grows grows and becomes more interna onally sophiss cate sophi cated d and cosmo cosmopolita politan, n, our tropic tropical al paradise paradise is is evolving evolving in design design esthe c as well well as art. From a buyer or owner’s perspec tve, it’s very important to be educated in this background music so that the house you want will reflect your taste and style and have your signature. There are many decisions on elements that should always be considered as far as adding value to the home with an eye on resale. To get the “big picture” of how design trends and real estate trends come together, I interviewed four “Super Agents/Brokers” Agents/Brokers” in Vallarta. These are the big boys! Here are their thoughts. thoughts. All of their contact informa informa on is listed listed below in the credits. Vallar Val larta ta Goes Goes Int Intern erna a ona onall Gary Ford, PV Realty
Famous for his celebrity home sales and jet-set clients, Gary Ford, a key realtor in Vallarta with PV Realty, commented commented on the ever increasing interna interna onal buyers who are are purchasing in Puerto Vallarta and their speci fic taste and needs in interior design. Once dominated by North Americans, Vallarta has now become a “hot spot” for many Europeans as well as South Americans. Regarding this trend, Gary Gary said, “The trend of sophis cated buyers from worldwide worldwide des na ons has deman demanded ded an expa expanded nded deco decorr conce concept. pt. Seeki Seeking ng the right Desig Design n Professio Profe ssional nal is is more more essen essen al than than ever.” PV Realty’s history goes back to Vallarta’s growth from a sleepy fishing village to interna inter na onal playgr playgroun ound d with celebr celebrii es such such as John John Huston, Huston, Elizabe Elizabeth th Taylor, Taylor, Richar Richard d
and Susan Susan Burto Burton, n, as well as as many many execu execu ves and and profes professiona sionals ls of intern interna a onal con onso sorr um ums. s.
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Carl Timothy of Timothy Real Estate
Recently Carl told me that, “Every one of us has has our own own par cular taste and idea of what our home should should look like. like. If you are going to be ren ng out your property, or if if you plan on selling it in the next few years to upgrade or make a change, homeowners should keep in mind mind that that dras dras cally cally di diff erent erent interior designs can limit the re-sale re- sale market for their home and and even limit limit the poten poten al rental rental market. market. This of of course course has an eff ect ect on the investment value. This is why I recommend the use of a talented professional designer whenever possible. Buyers loved to be surprised by quality and great taste.” Also, Carl commented on specific trends and great ps on trends – what’s hot and what’s not; Condominiums remain stronger than single family residences. The trend on Condominiums has been to downsize. Less maintenance and less expense. In any of the newer developments the first units to sell are the 1 bedroom or even studio units that are priced well. For the Baby Boomers in the mid price ranges, less means less expensive maintenance so the average buyer is not necessarily looking for a gym, spa, tennis courts, beach club, etc. Most Mos t people like a common area pool and a nice elevator for ease. For the higher end buyer who is i s now coming back into the market, some of those those amen amenii es are impo importa rtant nt.. Choco Chocolat late e brown brown cabi cabinet netss and furn furnish ishing ingss cam came e and l
They They are now now dated dated..
Most buyers like slick modern European style cabinetry or real wood in various finishes but almost always showing the grain.
Most of our clients hire a local designer that has the connec ons needed needed to reproduce furniture to order whether that be in Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, or Mexico City. This minimizes trips and stress knowing that a professional pr ofessional with experience is taking care of their needs will saving them money in the long run . Carl has a great ar cle on his blog blog packed full of great stats stats on sales, sales, etc. – check it out out h p:// moth mothyreale yrealestat stategrou egroup.co p.com/blo m/blog/201 g/2012-mark 2-market-upd et-updateate-and-2 and-2013s-ne 013s-new-sea w-season/ son/ Wayne Franklin- Tropicasa Realty
As one of the most trusted and wellwell -known realtors in Vallarta, Franklin shared his insight insight into the 2013 real estate market with me. What’s selling, why and what helps certain into proper prop er es move move and and what what can hinder hinder sales. sales.
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Pricing
Condos con nue to be the Condos the mainstay mainstay of purch purchaser asers, s, mostly mostly in the the lower ends, although there has has been been some movem movement ent in proper proper es over over $500K. $500K. While large homes have had a lot of ac vity in the the past six six months, months, they they seem to be being being hit hit harder harder financially in rela re la on to to purc purcha hase se pric price e vs. vs. lis lis ng pri price ce.. There are simply fewer buyers for these big homes right now. now. Home size
2 bedroom condos condos s ll seem to be the favorite, although although smaller sizes sizes are selling well due to smaller price points. points. One bedrooms close to the beach are also doing well, but not in the hillsides. hillsides. Amen Am enii es th that at se sell ll
People s ll buy People buy bathro bathrooms oms and and kitche kitchens. ns. Build Building ing ameni ameni es are also also importa important nt in certai certain n price points (upper end) as the more the price is, the more features features and ameni ameni es buyers want, such as gyms, big/fancy pools, security/concierge, security/concierge , etc. Furnishings and style
We see a diversion in Americans. A lot of Canadians want the Mexican style furnishings while many clients from the U.S. would would like either either modern or colonial. Mexican na onals are looking for more more contemporary. contemporary. Color Pallets
Soothing and and warm colors are preferred over the brighter more tradi tradi onal Mexican Mexican color schemes. schemes. Floors
Quality flooring adds value. value. Old small ceramic les simply simply don’t don’t fly anymore. anymore. Doors and Cabinetry
Architectural elements need to be consistent with the architectural detail of the property. property. Inconsistencies in periods and styles means remodeling remodeling and dollars to perspec ve buyers buyers Trend in purchasing furnishings for new buyers
New buyers are living with what comes with the property for the most part. part. There seems to be enough variety that people are buying local. local. However, shops need to be price sensi ve. That That seems to to be a recurri recurring ng theme theme as well. well. Buyers find the cost to ship and keep their personal things outweighs selling everything and buying new new here in some cases. cases. Franklin’s Overview of the market in general
Franklin Frankl in recen recently tly said said tha that, t, “Whil “While e the the market market has has seen seen a fai fairly rly dram drama a c up ck in ac ac vit vityy in rela rela on to to showi showings ngs and and even even off ers ers in some segments of the market this season,
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buyers continue to remain price conscious. conscious. Buyers who perceive that a property property is priced at retail levels will show no activity, no matter what marketing takes place and how hard agents try to get clients to see a property. Buyers want to know that that the property is priced properly for the market to even take a look at it. Then will they decide if it’s worth making an offer on. Pricing is key in this market market to see any level of success success on a sale. Trying to outwit a buyer by overpricing a property to only negotiate negotiate down will not work.” work.”
Ron Morgan, Broker of Ron Morgan Real Estate We have noticed a dramatic change in real estate which has been dictated by the economic situation we had had in the past few years. Buyers have become more selective on the kind of property they want as far as size, location, price range and maintenance fees. Condominiums are by far what sell the most and one and two bedrooms are in demand. The more amenities a development offers the higher the HOA fees, people looking into buying real estate have often expressed the fact that they do not care as much to have a view or a pool, they rather be close to entertainment and dining. Buyers have always had different requests when purchasing a property, among them are a view, close to the beach, pet-friendly and the more common than all others, the right price. Client’s preference in styles are as varied as varied as the colors in the rainbow. Some buyers prefer traditional design with brick accents and Saltillo tile and some prefer the luxury of marble and modern design. Décor has had a boom boom in Puerto Vallarta where buye buyers rs can get pieces from a variety of styles including Mexican or European and even custom made furniture. Art preferences are in all price ranges and styles from classic, to contemporary or commercial.
Even though Vallarta has quite a few furniture and decoration stores, stores,
Tlaquepaque and Guadalajara Guadalajara offer an even wider assortment of styles and prices. To summarize in a few quick phases;
Open spaces
Neutral environment for the permanent architectural elements
Window treatments only as needed for function
Large upholstery or slip-covered pieces in neutral tones
Furnishings to your taste
Add color, pattern to create your style and signature
Art as you like it
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Remember less is more. Yearly updating and maintenance is always a trend. Once you have created your dream home, don’t forget to do a yearly assessment of what needs to be done to keep the house up to date. It may be freshening up some things, regular maintenance, cleaning, painting painting or all of the above. Our brutal climate can wreck havoc on your home so it is imperative to keep up on maintenance before all of your hard work falls apart. Don’t forget to declutter!! It’s amazing clutter how much we collect in a year. Take a good look around you and you will see it. Maybe before starting your project decide what can go. De-clutter at least once a year. Once you have cleaned out the clutter, clutter, it’s easy to move forward.
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A Few Closing Thoughts Puerto Vallarta is truly an escape from the norm. We are free to live a wonderful lifestyle that we create. Our homes and living style should re flect that freedom of spirit. Most of us come from ci ci es or towns towns where it’s all about keeping keeping up and and being su sure re we fit in. Here in our tropical tropical paradise, paradise, we can shed those those limita ons and step o out ut there! Be inspired by our surroundings surroundings and s ll inject our our personality personality into our our designs and de deccor ora a on. Whether Wheth er your your style style is contempor contemporary, ary, old Vallar Vallarta, ta, Soho Soho lo , Mexican Mexican arts and ccra ra s or modern, you are free to create what makes you happy. I can’t imagine a style or feeling that doesn’t fit in if it is your vision. It’s truly a chance to develop your personal style and reflect it in your home. From crisp clean white to brilliant color, sleek contemporary furniture to local handmade Mexican furniture or classic stone floors to hand painted Mexican les, be be yourself! The most beau ful homes reflect the owner’s style and taste as well as show the love and a en on to detail detail that that has been given. given. Home design design is art. art. Whether Whether you you are given given a blank slate or are recrea recrea ng or restoring, restoring, always put put your heart heart and so soul ul into it and and it will sh show ow and give you so much pleasure in return. Surround yourself with people who can guide you. That doesn’t mean giving up your vision, just having someone experienced in interior design to make your vision come to life! Remember, Remem ber, design design and and decora decora on is a team team sport! sport! For For me the best projects projects are a product of of a wonderful wonderful working rela onship of tthe he client and the designer, working working as a team. This rela onship needs needs to work together. Neither party can be independent of the other. The client and designer need to be interdependent on one another. I am always reminded of that when when I don’t have have the right solu on to a problem or I’m stuck in a mind set or mental block and the client client will say “What “What about if we…………..,” and bingo! Problem solved and the project project is so much be er for for it. Have fun and enjoy the journey. There is an ancient Chinese proverb that I believe is very appropria appr opriate te for design design and and decora decora on of a home: home:
“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is f ound not in nishing an activity but in doing it”
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Acknowledgements First and foremost I would like to acknowledge Lewis Moore, my partner of 35 years who is the true inspiraton for our life south of the border. Afer 30 years of visitng Puerto Vallarta, it was Lewis who announced the plan to move to this wonderful paradise and thus began our journey both in Mexico as well as to South America. During the last eight years, we have enjoyed so many wonderful experiences and lived in cultures that expanded our minds. We also expanded our family to include Diego and Ivan. Without Lewis' strength, I'm not sure I would be writng this. There are so many wonderful people and dedicated professionals in Puerto Vallarta who teach me something every day. My friends and realtors, fellow designers, tradesmen, etc… the list goes on and on. A special shout out to my dear friends, Elinor and Harvey Prawer, who have incredible style, taste and knowledge that they are willing to share with me. And a big “gracias” to the top realtors and design houses who took tme from there busy schedules to help me compile a trend forecast in real estate, design and decoraton. Please refer to the credits chapter for informaton on contactng these dedicated professionals.
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Credits & Resources
Carl Timothy | Timothy Real Estate Group website: www.timothyrealestategroup.com email: [email protected] Ignacio L. Vallarta 130, Local 7 Col. Emiliano Zapata Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México 48380 US Toll Free: 877.204.7730 CAN Toll Free: 877.382.4106 USA Fax: 424.288.5505 MX Fax: 322.223.5300
Wayne “Franklin” Franklin | Tropicasa Realty webiste: www.tropicasa www.tropicasa.com .com email: [email protected] Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México 48380 Phone: 011.52.322.222.6505 Fax: 011.52.322.22 011.52.322.222.2555 2.2555
Gary Ford | PV Realty website: http://www.pvre.com email: [email protected] Phone: 322.222.4288 322.222.4288|322.223.2840 |322.223.2840 Fax: 322.222.4287 USA & CANADA, please dial: 011.52.322..222.4288 011.52.322..222.4288 or 011.52.322. 011.52.322.223.2840 223.2840 Fax: 011.52.322.222.4287
Claire Guarniere |Galleria Dante website: www.galleriadante.com email: [email protected] [email protected] Basilio Badillo 269 Puerto Vallarta, Vallarta, Jalisco, México 48380 cell: 044.322.229.66 044.322.229.6648 48 Save toll charges to Mexico by calling our Michigan based numbers: 810-GD-DANTE (810.433.1683) | 269.282.6865 | 269.282.8576 |269.282.8926 Copyright 2013 Umberto Interior Design Studio. All rights reserved
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Ron Mor Morga gan n | Ron Mor Morga gan n Rea eall Es Estate A.S.I .I.D./ .D./E Estate & Rental Age Agent nt web we bsit ite: e: www www.s .siisiv iva allart larta a.c .co om | www www.r .ro onmorga nmorgan.net n.net emailil: ron@ ema on@rronmorga nmorgan.net n.net | rmorga morgannew nnewmex mex@ @hotma hotmaiil. l.c c om c ell: 011.52.1.322 011.52.1.322.150.54 .150.5471 71 fa fax: x: 011.52.322.221 011.52.322.221.6046 USA: 323.315.2569 .6046
Christop opher herWynn | Christop oph herWynn Stud udio io email: [email protected] Pulpito 146 C ol. Emi Emilliano Zapata Puerto Puert o Va Vallart larta a, Ja J alisc o, Méxi M éxic o 483 48380
Michae Mic haell Paul Hende enderrson | BBG Desi esign gn | Big Bang Gr Group website: www.bi webs www.bigb gba anggroup.co nggroup.com m | www.m www.miic hae haellpa paul ulhender henders son.co on.com m email: [email protected] 2274 Kirby Parkway Memp mphis, his, TN 38119 38119 US USA A studio: 901.730.6115 fax: fa x: 901.201.582 901.201.5820 0 mobile: 310.346.7604
Ada dam m L. Roc ockwe kwell ll | Roc ockwell kwell Informa mattion Solutions, LLC Inno nova vati tive ve Wr Writ iting ing Tha Thatt Gets Results email: [email protected]
Patric ick k Harrison | P. Gr Gringo Ma Marrke ketting & PR email: [email protected]
Copyr opyrigh ightt 2013 Umbert Umberto o Interior Int erior Design Design St St udi udio. o. All All righ r ightt s res reserved erved
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umberto@ umber to@umbe umberrtos tostudio.c tudio.com om www.umbertostudio.com C ell: 044 322 322 120 120 2931 2931 U.S. Tel: 702 448 5153 5153
