Hidden Treasures

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

Sometimes the rarest of gems can be found in the most unlikely place. You know how you occasionally discover a really fabulous restaurant simply by trying something that’s a little off-the-beaten-path? Well, it’s time to make a new discovery, but this time in the field of French antiques.

Village Antiques, a veritable paradise of Europe’s finest and most fabulous antique pieces, has just opened up in Houston. This designer market is one of the city’s best kept secrets – only those who truly know and love antiques have been lucky enough to get a taste of what’s on offer! Village Antiques offers a full range of French antiques, from charming painted items to rustic heavy wood pieces and lovely stately objects. Like diamonds in the rough, each antique has been carefully sourced by a team of dealers, and now lies like a hidden treasure, waiting to be recognized and taken home by some appreciative eye!

Each booth is a reflection of an individual dealer’s personality. Most exciting of all for us is that we are showcasing our own collection there too. After many years of planning, and two trips to France, we are now debuting the Amitha Verma Antiques collection.

Amitha Verma Antiques

Each piece has been painstakingly selected on the basis of style, color and functionality. As an interior designer, I know how important it is for pieces to be versatile and multifunctional – a simple table could end up as a nightstand, a bath vanity, an entry hall piece or a TV cabinet. Each of these functions is considered when choosing each piece. And of course, a big factor is the falling-in-love element! I definitely have a moment of falling for each piece – I guess the gals will have to sell them all when I’m away!

Amitha Verma Antiques

The Amitha Verma collection, and Village Antiques as a whole, offer a wide range of beautiful collectibles, and the price range is so diverse that there really is something for everyone. Readers of this blog will get sneak previews of the new pieces coming in, so stay tuned!

Amitha Verma Antiques

Also, don’t forget to check out the Village Antiques blog, www.villageantiques.net, which will feature various how-to articles on decorating with antiques and the latest antique trends.

We’re thrilled to announce that Village Antiques is now open for business, and invite you to come visit us, Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. &  Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. See you there!

Posted in antiques | 2 Comments

Design Inspiration: A Beautiful Breakfast Space

by Amitha Verma Interior Design, www.amithaverma.com

These days I’m working with one of my regular Houston interior design clients on the continuation of a long-term project. Having used lots of beautiful colors throughout her living space, we’re now shifting the focus to the breakfast room and kitchen, with the same jewel tones and vibrant palette.

I’ve been working on creating a really rich, elegant space full of beautiful shapes and textures. You can see my plans for the décor in this presentation that I put together for the client before we began.

The furniture has my favorite classic French feel to it – Louis XVI side chairs for dining chairs, and a custom dining table designed by AVID. The table is two-toned, with a painted base and a stained solid hardwood top that will be both durable and hard-wearing. I love the carvings too – they add a touch of grandeur to a functional piece. As for the fabric, we’ve chosen some beautiful prints by my absolute favorite textile manufacturer Pierre Frey. I simply adore the gorgeous colors and designs they produce, and the client and I both fell in love with the deep reds and purple tones in this particular nature-inspired fabric.

The windows are to be dressed simply yet elegantly with drapery panels, and I’ve chosen some lovely custom-painted barstools with Micheal Smith fabric for extra seating. We also went for a simple arrangement of florals that will add some color but not overwhelm the area. But my favorite find has to be the antique secretary, a beautiful piece with gorgeous hardware and amazingly detailed carving. It opens up to reveal several tiny drawers and shelves, which means even though it’s such a classic piece, it’s perfect for storing all those modern accessories like iPhones and keys and the like!

Posted in Uncategorized, kitchen, window treatments | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments