Orange Drapes

Orange is a color that remains popular for drapes. Here in New Orleans silk taffeta, or silk drapes still rule the day. Not everyone has the budget, and I have been using a faux silk drapes found at Overstock, Half-Price Drapes, and through Houzz. Right now Houzz is having a great sale on these drapes.

The trick is to have custom rods and rings made. I use Shading Places, (985) 373-4134, ask for Jennifer. My rod of choice is  return to the wall.

Here's the link to Houzz sale. 
And the link to Overstock.
Also the link to Half Price Drapes.

Usually when a sale like this is so widespread the merchandise is about to be discontinued. So get them now!

The high end drapes in the second picture were made by Perch. Shading Places also does beautiful high end drapes, and is part of my team. The "low" end drapes in first photo are from Overstock and are also sold via Houzz.

Faux silk drapes in Harvest Orange I used for a client on a budget - Interior Design by Valorie Hart

High end drapes in apricot silk I had custom made for a client - Interior Design by Valorie Hart

7 Southern Designers With the Best Pinterest Account

Lost in the endless inspiration scroll? Follow our favorites.

Zoë Gowen 

Reprinted from Southern Living

Pinterest is a pretty gigantic place to navigate. It only takes following a few overly zealous or off-target pinners to ruin your personal inspiration board. Hats off to these seven that never fail to deliver thoughtfully edited Southern decorating ideas.
Holly Phillips @TheEnglishRoom – This Charlotte, North Carolina-based designer and blogger has an eclectic eye for vintage, but she always pins rooms that are still squarely Southern. The colors combos alone in her staggering 73k pins are reason enough to follow her.
Alice Waters – Truth be told, I was looking for the famed chef Alice Waters in search of soulful and healthy recipe ideas. Turns out, I had the wrong Alice Waters, but this Alice who is based in Fort Worth, Texas is way more up my alley. I’m also unsure if she’s actually a designer, but I’m making an exception because her boards are always right on point to satisfy (or ignite) any home dream of mine. Her Architecture and Exterior boards are my favorites to ponder.
Valorie Hart – If you’re looking for New Orleans style to come alive via Pinterest, this is your account. From the kooky, to the colorful, to to-die-for antiques, Valorie’s pinterest is one exciting show not to be missed.
Gadabout – This Pinterest account is the inspiration playground for South Carolina-born, Louisville, Kentucky-based graphic designer Hanna Seabrook a well-known graphic designer behind the company, Gadabout. On her pinterest, you’ll find homes and interiors with a fresh, yet aged-look – quite possibly the ultimate compliment to give any Southerner about their home.
Parker Kennedy – Palm Beach preppy ideas galore are sourced throughout these boards from this Atlanta-based design duo. It’s nearly impossible not to follow an entire board with 1103 pins devoted to bamboo. More practical sounding boards like “Chic Appliances and Fixtures” and “Fences” are also seriously helpful.

Elly Poston – Our list wouldn’t be complete without mention of our own former Associate Decorating Editor. Her boards are fun for anyone to peruse, but in-the-trench decorators will appreciate her board “Decorating Details.” Non-decorators can think of this board as a free design service.
Helen Ballard – You may recognize the name. Yes, she’s the lady who founded Ballard Designs. As you’d expect, her Pinterest pages are filled with ethereal and European-rooted design ideas. If you love the natural look, follow her now.

Report From The 2017 NOLA Home Show

Home shows are so much fun for people who love to decorate, design, renovate, and build. The 2017 NOLA Home Show has some great vendors for you to check out. The show runs from January 27-29 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center in Hall I. Hours are 10AM - 8PM on Saturday and 10AM - 6 PM on Sunday. There is free admission for Baton Rouge residents in light of the flooding they experienced this past August. I'll be a guest speaker at 1 PM on Sunday on The Williams Sonoma Stage and signing my book House Proud at booth 139 after my presentation. Hope to see you there!

Here are some of my favorites at the show...

The women from Spruce have a spiffy booth showing off beautiful wallpaper and fabrics

Canal Furniture Liquidators is one of my favorite places to shop in New Orleans

Valerie from Canal Furniture Liquidators-Go stop by and say hello-Tell her I sent you

I may have to pick up a pair of these sconces at Canal Furniture Liquidators

Cute patio furniture from At Home The Furniture Superstore

Some fab gem blingy handles from Legend Interiors

Williams Sonoma has a spiffy booth at the 2017 NOLA Home SHow

There are cooking demos all day with local New Orleans chefs at the 2017 NOLA Home Show

Furnish has some lovely handcrafted furniture

This lush garden was created by Four Seasons Groundworks

We love our gaslights in Louisiana and Flambeaux has a great exhibit

One exhibitor near the entrance is selling these beautiful wooden spoons

Custom Outdoor Concepts has an imrpressive exhibit

Even a home show needs some glam and Glitz Galore has some cute things

May Photography has some great art

The guys from The Factory were busy on their construction art

Only in New Orleans! A bar to provide you with an adult beverage while you check out the exhibits

The Williams Sonoma Home Stage - I'll be speaking here on Sunday January 29 at 1 PM

Come over to booth 139 where I will be signing my book House Proud on Sunday at 1:30

NOLA Home Show 2017

The NOLA Home Show is so much fun for anyone who loves design, decorating, and renovating. Tons of exhibitors show their stuff and offer a wealth of ideas. What a great way to spend a day to get inspired for your projects or just for fun. We visual vamps love to look at anything to do with design!

I will be a guest speaker on Friday, January 27th at 1 PM, and then again on Sunday, January 29 at 3 PM. I'll be signing my book House Proud too! So come on out and ask me anything!

Get $3. off online ticket price by entering promo code VHART

It's Been Awhile

I dropped off the blogging scene nearly three years ago. My husband Alberto Paz passed away then. It's been quite a ride on the wave of grief. Alberto was very much responsible for me creating this blog, and he was a constant supporter and cheerleader. With him gone, I felt there was no purpose for much of anything. Many of you have written to me, from that first awful day to the present, always checking in on me, and even asking me to start blogging on The Visual Vamp again. I appreciate your kindness more than you can imagine, and I thank you for it.

What have been doing for the last three years? Healing. Moving on. I've been working on decor and design and projects and styling jobs. I've kept writing for New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles magazine. I've kept teaching tango. I've traveled a bit, renewing old acquaintances. I had a wonderful job as one of the lead designers for Susan Holland Events (SHE) doing the decor for one of the last state dinners the Obamas hosted at The White House. It was wonderful to work with Susan again, and a thrill and an honor to be in the presence of the Obamas.

Friends and family have bolstered me up. Cholo and Kitty Bang Bang are still at my side. I've been on Facebook all along if you care to look in.

Anyway I'm back. And I hope to reconnect with many of you again. xo xo