Designing Woman

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 9, 2007

Taylor brings decorative touch to interiors, exteriors

By Angie Long

Is your home's interior beginning to look shabby (but not at all chic)? Want to put some pizzazz into your new office space or resuscitate your restaurant's interior?

Never fear. Designing woman Vesta Taylor is now here. The certified interior designer and former owner of local boutique, Alissa's Closet, just opened her own design studio in the Camellia City - Vesta Taylor Interiors. From choosing the perfect throw pillow and coolest couch to a total makeover for home, office or retreat, Taylor says she is ready, willing and able to assist with design needs, big or small.

Taylor opened her design studio, located upstairs at 509 E. Commerce Street (next door to First Realty) on August 1.

 &#8220Fascinating and fun”

 She began helping customers with their decorating needs while she owned her gift shop.

&#8220I started carrying items like mirrors and lamps at Alissa's Closet along with the gift items. Customers really responded to that and my ideas. I find the field of interior design so fascinating and a fun challenge,” Taylor says.

 It is also a way, Taylor says, she can continue to provide good customer service to the community from a convenient location – and use her creative flair as well.

&#8220I'll be able to assist customers with everything from complete bedding packages, to lighting, accessories and all types of furniture, both traditional and contemporary,” the designer says, her blue eyes sparkling as she &#8220pages” through a vendor's catalog via the Internet.

Taylor offers both residential and commercial designs through her new studio.

&#8220Whether it is a house, apartment, office building, beauty salon, restaurant, hotel or another spot that needs a makeover, I can do it,” the designer says with a confident smile.

 A to Z accessories

 Taylor will also step in and lend a hand with pre-construction plans.

&#8220I can assist with choosing paint colors, carpet and tile, furnishings – basically help you out from day one to the finished product. Everything's in harmony and accessorized from A to Z,” she says.

If you own a beach house or condo in need of a new look, Taylor has plenty of ideas that she says are &#8220classy and fun” for a sand-and-surf retreat.

Live in a log cabin or other rustic type of home?

&#8220There is wonderful furniture available in warm woods, western styles and animal prints that would fit perfectly into that kind of country setting,” Taylor says.

She is particularly excited at the vast number of lighting options available to her clients.

&#8220One of my suppliers, Sterling Industries, has some beautiful chandeliers with designs and materials to fit every setting, from formal to rustic to contemporary,” Taylor says.

Another vendor, Mike Ragan RAGS, offers custom-manufactured furnishings and accessories in everything from stately brocades to home-on-the-range cowhides, with neutral linens and vivid &#8220beachy” colors in between.

&#8220If you need cute and unusual ideas for babies,' children's and teens' rooms, I have some great ideas to share with you. You would be amazed at some of the beautiful and fun bedding that is out there through suppliers such as Pine Cone Hill,” Taylor says.

Indoors and out

Need help outdoors?

Taylor can also provide concrete staining through her new design studio.

&#8220If you have need for exterior design ideas and furniture, I can help you with that, too. We cover upstairs and down, indoors and out,” she says with a smile.

If a full-fledged makeover is more than your pocketbook can afford, Taylor  offers what she calls a &#8220One-Day Fluff.”

&#8220With the one-day fluff, I come in, take a look at what you have, then figure out ways to create a new, different look largely using your existing items. I'll go over what a customer might want to add and what they probably should throw away,” Taylor explains.

&#8220It's a fun and very affordable way to spruce up your place.”

With the holidays rapidly approaching, the designer wants to let everyone know she will also offer Christmas d\u00E9cor services for homes and businesses.

&#8220I love the holidays!  I have some beautiful and unusual Christmas decorations available. Anywhere I might be needed, simply book me ahead of time and I will create the perfect holiday mood for the client,” Taylor says.

For gentlemen who are running short of gift ideas for their wives for Christmas, Taylor will also offers decorating packages as a an unusual gift idea.

 Designing your dreams

Her dream, she says, is to make your d\u00E9cor dreams come true.

&#8220The goal of my business is my motto: ‘design your dreams.' I also believe no job is too large or too small.  I am perfectly willing to travel to any town in lower Alabama right into the Florida Panhandle,” Taylor says.

Vesta Taylor Interiors is open five days a week, Mondays through Fridays, by appointment only.

Call Taylor at 382-5878 to set up a consultation.