Paloma Contreras Designs to Delight

Known for elevating interior design in her home city, Houston, Paloma Contreras brings her signature modern-meets-vintage style to collections with Schumacher, Visual Comfort, and more. Here, she shares how to style these pieces along with a few vintage picks.

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Could you tell us about some of your favorite ways to use your Schumacher trim? 

I love using them on drapery, pillows, and upholstery—anywhere that benefits from a refined, custom touch. Designed with crispness and versatility in mind, these trims seamlessly complement a range of interiors, from traditional to modern.

One of my favorite applications was using Margo Fret in the Celadon colorway on pillows in my living room. It tied the space together beautifully, elevating the design and adding that extra layer of sophistication. My trims bring a polished, effortless elegance to any project, making even the simplest details feel intentional and bespoke.

Any recommendations or examples of ways you’ve used your Visual Comfort lighting in projects?

For the 2022 Palm Beach Kips Bay Showhouse, I incorporated my Comtesse Chandelier and Orsay Table Lamps to bring a refined yet modern touch to the space. The design embraced classic Palm Beach style with trellis-covered walls, rattan accents, and a lush green leaf fabric that tied the elements together seamlessly. The lighting introduced a contemporary edge, striking the perfect balance between timeless elegance and modern sophistication.

I love incorporating modern lighting in traditionally styled spaces because it adds depth and an unexpected element of contrast. Thoughtfully blending classic and contemporary pieces creates a dynamic harmony, making the design feel curated, intentional, and effortlessly elevated.

Any tips for using table lamps, such as mixing and matching, using pairs on a console, etc?

Table lamps are a great way to add both function and style to a space. Using a matching pair on a console or nightstands creates symmetry and a polished look, while mixing different styles can add a more collected, layered feel. Consider scale and proportion—larger lamps make a statement, while smaller ones work well for accent lighting. I also love incorporating unique lampshades or unexpected finishes to add personality and depth to a design.

What’s currently inspiring you?

I’ve been revisiting the work of some of my favorite interior designers of the past—Billy Baldwin, David Hicks, Frances Elkins, Albert Hadley. They understood juxtaposition, scale, color—the whole gamut—in a way that produced rooms that continue to feel relevant and inspiring today.

Name 3 trends you LOVE and 3 you HATE.

LOVE 

1.  Chocolate-colored walls: There is no greater way to make a room feel both cozy and seductive.
2.  A sumptuous mohair velvet: Bury me in mohair. It has the most beautiful hand and comes in the most gorgeous colors. 
3. Antiques and vintage: They instantly add patina and a sense of personality to a space. Without them, a room feels incomplete.

HATE

1.  All white everything: Give me color, please!
2.  Interiors that feel too fussy: Too much pattern, too many flourishes, etc. My eye doesn’t know where to look!
3. Those drapey bedspreads that are gaining in popularity: They puddle on the floor and look too messy for my taste.

Lead Image: Paloma Contreras, Photography by Fernanda Varela.