Shireen's Favorite Things

A room made especially for me by Interior designer, Anya Cesar, at the Home Design & Remodeling Show at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

I love fashion so much it spills into every aspect of my life, so imagine my delight when I got a call from the “Home Design & Remodeling Show” asking if I was interested in having a room designed full of my Favorite Things. Hello?! YES. Sign me up STAT.

I was paired with Interior Designer, Anya Cesar — a beautiful, young, vivacious woman who turned the tables on me (journalistically speaking.) In a series of text messages and phone calls, she asked about my life, career and travels. During our conversations, I often found myself verklempt, as I’m used to being the one asking the questions. Perhaps she sensed my reporter trepidation: she suggested we meet in person.

We got to know one another over a few adult beverages at Soyka Restaurant, where Anya quizzed me on the things that inspired me. She also came armed with design books filled with different colors, materials and textures which opened up a dialogue about my favorite flowers, trinkets, pillows and candles. Anya was beyond thorough, disarming me with her charm and gracious spirit. Fast forward a month later…

Anya and I came face-to-face again, this time in front of the room she designed for me at the “Home Design & Remodeling Show” at the Miami Beach Convention Center. It was literally my personality brought to life. MIND BLOWN. I was completely enamored. In the center of the room was a gorgeous day bed/lounging sofa draped in white fabric with a plethora of pillows. Think “Out of Africa” meets “Vanity Fair”, but that’s not all. It was the smallest touches that meant so much.

I love Wedgwood because my mother is an artist and spent years of her career painting it. Anya used accent pieces featuring the pattern, making the space that much more personal. She also mixed a vintage mirror, a shell chandelier, an old glamorous suit-case, a black patent pocket book and a pair of kicked-off high heel shoes to say “Shireen lives here.”

Of course, I adore vintage, am seduced by the ocean, have traveled the world and if you’re a regular blog reader, do I even have to say how much I love shoes and purses? Anya also painted the walls an aqua colored blue (one of my favorite colors) and highlighted it with a subtle wallpaper that upon closer examination sparkled oh-so-subtly with glitter. As she showed me the space, I was transported to a better version of myself.

What I mean is, she took all the things I love about life and put them into a room that felt intriguing, interesting and tranquil. Not an easy feat. When she asked me what I liked I said: “A bit of everything really.” In the end, we both came to the conclusion that the room was inspired by a Bohemian Gypsy with a Moroccan flair.

What an experience, to be around someone so creative. While I’m busy picking out fashions and finding the right words to express those styles, Anya is busy picking out decor (and so much more) to fill our empty spaces with warmth, meaning and personality and that’s why “Designing Women” is one of my favorite things.

Check out their Fall show at The Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale on November 18th-20th and in the Spring on May 26th-29th, 2017. For more information log into www.homeshows.net or follow the show on social media: Twitter: @FLHomeShows, FB: Home Design and Remodeling Show, IG: @flhomeshows

info@homeshows.net
1450 Madruga Avenue #301
Coral Gables, Florida 33146
305-667-9299
(888) 353-EXPO Toll Free

Interested in having Anya design your dream room? www.anyarenisedesigngroup.com or catch-up with her on social media: IG: @anyarenisedesigngroup, Twitter: @anyarenise, FB: Anya Cesar