A deft use of colour can lift a room completely and give it unique personality. Award-winning Texan designer and tastemaker Paloma Contreras has become synonymous with contemporary, classic interiors which use colour brilliantly. Her design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style, with classic silhouettes and timeless pieces paired with a fabulous infusion of colour and art.
Cinco Ranch. Image: Paloma Contreras
Paloma has been repeatedly named to the prestigious ELLE Décor “A-List” of interior designers across the world, recognised by Forbes magazine as one of the top social media influencers in the Home category, and featured in numerous publications. She has a licensed collection of decorative accessories, soft furnishings and lighting with Williams Sonoma Home and has worked with many prestigious brands.
We’re delighted that Paloma will be speaking as part of the virtual Australian House & Garden International Seminar Series at AIFF and Decor + Design 360. In the lead up to the event, we asked her to share her inspirations – plus which artist she’d choose to be in isolation with!
How would you define the ‘Paloma Contreras aesthetic’?
My design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style- gravitating towards classic silhouettes and timeless pieces paired with a touch of glamour and an infusion of color.
Kips Bay Show House 2019. Image: Paloma Contreras
What’s one design rule you live by? Scale is everything.
Which artist or designer from history would you choose to be in isolation with?
That’s such a good question and a difficult one to answer. I’d say Billy Baldwin or Albert Hadley so that I could observe these masters and learn from them. It would be super interesting to be around Pablo Picasso, though. There would never be a dull moment!
Why is interior design so important for the world right now?
Image: Paloma Contreras
Never has the importance of home been more evident. When there is nothing but chaos around us, this is where we go to retreat. Some may think that interior design is a frivolous profession, but I beg to differ. Creating a safe, comfortable, functional, and beautiful haven in which you can take shelter from the world, spend time with loved ones, and be your truest self is important work.
You’ll be taking part live in the first virtual Australian House & Garden International Seminar Series on October 1st. Can you give us a sneak peek at what you’ll be talking about?
Yes, I am so excited to be part of this amazing event! I will be participating in a live Q & A with Tanya Buchanan, Editor-in-Chief of Australian House & Garden. We will be discussing how to create “Contemporary Classic Interiors”.
AIFF and Decor + Design 360, Australia’s Virtual Interiors Marketplace, will take place online in 2020, from 28 September – October 2.
Register here to attend the trade exhibition and reserve your place for Paloma’s seminar, Thursday 1st October from 10am – 10.50am. This seminar will be an exclusive mixture of pre-recorded footage and a live Q & A. See you at Decor + Design 360!