From appearing on Design Star early in her career to running a successful firm that tackles luxury projects across the board, Vanessa DeLeon has made quite the name for herself in the design world.
She's redone kitchens in a matter of days on Restaurant Impossible, starred on HGTV repeatedly, and designed not one, but two of her very own dream homes. But perhaps the most notable legacy Vanessa's built over the course of her career is her own signature style: 'glamilism.'
Blending 'glamor' with 'minimalism,' and classic charm with cutting-edge designs, Vanessa's aesthetic bridges the gap between old and new. And though she designs spaces of all styles, her look is often sought after by prospective clients. To get the inside scoop on how she creates the transitional, glamorous look in residential, commercial, and hospitality spaces, H&G sat down with Vanessa. These are six of her top tips for crafting a timeless interior design style right at home.
6 tips for styling a classic yet cutting-edge space
Vanessa, founder and principal of New York- and New Jersey-based Vanessa DeLeon Associates, says that each of her designs is carefully tailored to her client's needs and wishes, meaning there's no magic formula to achieve the 'glamilist' look. But with these six tips, you'll be well on your way to a transitional style space that reads both chic and rooted in history, all at the same time.
1. Experiment with unique installations
Making your home feel like you can be quite the challenge – simply picking up pieces you love will only take you so far. But Vanessa takes extra steps to ensure her clients – whether strangers or her own family – have unique features that resonate with their interests and lifestyle. The designer is currently working on creating a dream home in the suburbs for her family, and she's decided to incorporate several stand-out moments that are truly one of a kind.
When you first walk into the new build, you're faced with a center courtyard – a feature that follows the rules of feng shui, according to Vanessa. The courtyard includes a pool as well. Though a lovely luxury feature on its own, the pool hides something special at the bottom: the glass surface provides a view into the home's garage.
'It’s almost like a framed installation,' says Vanessa. 'You’re going to be able to swim and see this beautiful collection of cars underneath you. That’s a highlight moment that I absolutely love.' Vanessa's son's room will also be fitted with personalized features, like a slide – a fragment of every child's dreams. And her primary suite will lead to a two-story closet, to fit the wardrobe of a successful designer.
Although these grand features aren't the right fit for every home, Vanessa's attention to detail (and whimsy) lends a lesson. Make a special effort to outfit your home with unique features that work for you. Whether that means a clutter-reducing appliance garage in the kitchen or a secret door leading to a home bar, your home should reflect all your interests and dreams.
2. Let family heirlooms stand out
In keeping with Vanessa's old-meets-new interior design style, she tries to incorporate vintage pieces and family heirlooms as often as possible. Typically, when she's not able to make it to the antique store, she'll refresh vintage pieces that her clients already have in their homes. She recently remade an armchair passed down from her client's great-grandmother, outfitting it in rose gold paint and lush velvet upholstery. 'It's those little things that set the tone,' says Vanessa.
'I think it invokes a sense of honor to whoever it was, like her great-grandmother,' she says. 'That’s a talking point in the room. Not only is it a special, great-looking piece, but then there’s something about it, the nostalgia. That’s a great talking point – it’s a great conversation-opener for a space. And it also brings a sense of old and new, which I love. Imagine that in a cool, modern, sterile room, and having that piece. That's going to be the talked-about piece. That's the elephant in the room, in a good sense.'
3. Don't get caught up on trends
Following interior design trends can be exciting, but Vanessa warns against taking them to heart. 'It's all cyclical. It all comes back pretty quickly,' she says. Although silver fixtures are coming back, 'we're still seeing a big trend in gold,' she adds.
'It's very hard as an interior designer to be closed-minded in that respect. I think it all has to do with the homeowner, and it all has to do with the personality and the lifestyle the homeowner lives.'
Even 'outdated' aesthetics and styles have a place in interior design, says Vanessa. Despite the fact that the modern farmhouse look has been done time and time again, she says she still has clients that request the look – and she still designs timeless spaces that fit the bill.
'We're currently doing five modern farmhouses as we speak. Bananas,' says Vanessa. 'But each home is designed very specifically for the client. So, just because the architecture reflects something, doesn't mean the interiors can't reflect who the client is.'
4. Make permanent features personal
Because trends come and go so quickly, Vanessa also suggests investing time and money into the permanent features of your home – those that can't be swapped with a simple fix. 'Tile. Mantels. Things that are structure, that are going to stay on the wall. Wallpaper you can change, paint you can change, even furniture is disposable,' she says.
'Things that are stuck on the wall, it's not that you can't change them, but they're harder,' she adds. 'It's a much bigger undertaking. So when doing a beautiful mantel or marble that's going to be timeless, use tile that maybe is not so trendy.'
Instead of reaching for an on-trend tile pattern or print, opt for something timeless that reflects you and your personality. That way, you won't be trusting the trends – you'll be trusting your own taste.
5. Invest in high-end artwork
Decorating with artwork is one of the most charming, characterful additions to a design scheme, but people often undervalue it, says Vanessa. In every room of her own home, pictured above, Vanessa has used bold, impactful artwork to make a statement and enhance the rest of the design scheme.
The designer shares that often, she has to convince clients that this vital detail is worth the investment. By looking at inspiration photos, gauging budgets, and making some comparisons (to a fancy watch or high-end handbag, for example), she's able to show clients that artwork is a must-have design feature that'll only appreciate over time.
6. Visualize before committing
Using bold, bright color throughout your home can feel intimidating, and Vanessa says she often has to encourage clients to step a bit further out of the box. Talking only gets her so far, though – technology usually delivers the final sell.
'For us, it's very important for the client to see the visual. And once they see it pen to paper, rendered, colored in the space, they freak out. And they're like, "Wow." And the next words that come out of their mouth: “I never would have thought that would look so good,”' she says.
'It's a number one seller for us,' she continues. 'The fact that they can visually see something that they're uncomfortable with is just a case in point that they need to see it. Clients hire you because they can't visualize, and the fact that we're making it black and white, or in our respect, colored, they actually see what it looks like ... For bold color, fun patterns, whatever it is, the famous words that come out of their mouth is “I never thought I would be into something like this.”'
Whether you're working with an interior designer who can render bring colors or bold patterns for you, or you use an online tool to do it yourself, don't rule out characterful design elements before seeing them come to life in your space. Even neutral lovers have come away with colorful houses after seeing the end result, says Vanessa.
For a '1920s meets 2030' aesthetic reminiscent of Vanessa's signature style, each detail of your home must be carefully considered, and just right for you. With a mix of classic and cutting-edge features, the style is certainly one to channel at home.
