Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Margaret Vasquez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I knew early on in life that I wanted to be an interior designer. In college, I studied art history for my undergraduate degree, knowing I would go to New York afterwards for specialized study in interior design. Parson’s School of Design, where I earned my degree, has talented working professionals sharing their high level of knowledge and expertise. Additionally, living in New York amidst boundless creativity was a daily learning experience that broadened my thinking. Before opening my own firm, I worked for a designer in Dallas and then two different ones in Orlando.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Although I have been working as a designer for close to thirty years, I still learn new things all the time. No two jobs are alike and each brings its own challenges. This is part of the fun as every project is different. My business is largely word of mouth. Occasionally I wonder if a business will dry up, but that has never been the case. Wonderful projects continue to come my way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My specialty is residential design. Each project is a collaboration between myself and the client, which results in each one looking different. I am not a formulaic designer and I do not follow trends. Supporting artisans and local businesses, when possible, is a priority of mine. I do not like to order mass-produced items that are seen everywhere as I like for my clients’ homes to look unique like them. It is especially important to me to order products from people who are not exploiting their workers to unsafe conditions and low wages. This standard requires more time. It is far easier and quicker to order the mass-produced, less expensive options. Using quality fabrics, antiques, and artisanal furnishings set my work apart as it is designed to be timeless.
What makes you happy?
Living in beautiful Florida with the birds and the sunshine, antique textiles, travel to exotic locations, México always, tile, family, animals, books, and chocolate. I love the beauty in life. Mother nature proves herself to be the best designer, as seen in the patterned skins of animals or the color combinations of an exotic bird’s feathers. Handmade objects show the hand and soul of the creator. An embroidered textile or handmade tile is far superior in their irregularities to a factory-made alternative. My family, pets, and chocolate make me happy on a daily basis.
Contact Info:
- Email: marymargaret@casa-v-interiors.com
- Website: casa-v-interiors.com
- Instagram: casavinteriors
Image Credits
Stephen Allen Alex Leyton
