Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another ESSET and I'm going to put all these thoughts together and bring them to life. Well, for me, I've always had like an affinity for things that are more environmentally conscious and I always wanted to bring that into design as well. And I think being able to find things that are accessible that are affordable are very necessary, especially in this market to be able to have a balance between both. And so it's really important to me to like incorporate that design style into our home and just part of who I am.
I grew up in South America. My father was a scientist so he basically discovered a ton of different plants in the rainforest. So we grew up, you know, having greenhouses kind of having that scientific background on plants. So to me that organic modern always spoke to me.
I like that. We all have a story right? And I didn't know that about you. That's pretty interesting and how you brought it to life.
But you're also using social media to build an audience to really inspire people to take action on how they can design their homes in a very unique and organic way. And you're doing something that I really don't come across often which is you build a whole store on Amazon so people can just easily shop on things that you're recommending and the fingertips they can just get access to these items. Absolutely. For me, I think it's important to be able to speak to like an entire audience, not just somebody that can afford luxury pieces.
And so when I found that I was doing, you know, I first started doing social media, a lot of people would say, well, I can't afford that or wow, that's, you know, so expensive. And so it made me realize that it's important for me to find objects that are in design that are out there that are more affordable for people that can't afford like a $5,000 chandelier or, you know, an expensive pillow or sofa for your house. So what is the tendency of the trends that you see with these type of items that people can't afford at the highest luxury level, but there's still options that are affordable and still makes your property look great and are comfortable. Yeah, absolutely.
I think one of the biggest things I've seen is lighting and just those smaller objects that you don't really think about every day that really bring life to your home, you know, different accent pillows, you know, during the holidays, certain candles, or, you know, even right now with the holidays approaching. I know a lot of people can't afford, you know, $1,000 Christmas tree online or even more. And you can actually find those on Amazon where you can make it your own, you know, where you can buy the lights separately, buy the tree separately and make it look just as luxurious as a $4,000 Christmas tree. You just gotta be creative and having access to the right things and make it work.
Exactly. And I think that that's the most important part is being authentic and creative in your own way, because I do see a lot of trends just come and go and I try not to pay attention to it too much. I try to just do what feels right in our home. What's the number one question you get asked?
Oh, gosh, a lot of people want to see more of me on my Instagram. Well, I would agree on that. There's a little bit of a mystery on who's that person behind all these incredible designs. Yes, I try to keep my family life separate from the business side of it.
But I have had, you know, a lot of people inquire about if I'm coming out, you know, with a line of decor pieces or rugs or furniture. And I'm in the works right now with a company, House of Leon. They're actually in town. Yeah, they're amazing.
I just work with them. And they're just such great business owners and their pieces are just so unique. And I love that they're, they don't manufacture a ton of products. They don't saturate the market with too much, you know, and I love that about them.
It's fantastic. And I'm thinking personally, right? Like this, as I'm trying to now decor my home and I was looking at some so far. So they're unique quotes of like $20,000, $25,000.
And then I start looking into some alternatives that, hey, for $2,000, you're getting the same piece that looks the same. It's kind of almost the same quality, but it's just a huge difference in price. So you can understand what is exactly that you're looking for to give that feel to give that comfort and not break your bank account buying all these things to add up when you start buying things. Yes, absolutely.
And I think that's important too. For people to understand, you know, we do have a $20,000 couch in our home and a $30,000 couch. And I'll be honest, one of the one that we have that's $1,000 is just as comfortable as the other ones. And I actually like it even more.
So I don't think that you always have to compromise luxury just because of the price. And sometimes I think it puts you in a little bit of a stressful and comfortable situation when you have spent so much on a sofa that you're like, Oh my God, like we cannot have a snack here or the dog or this. Well, if it's something that hasn't cost as much, you can enjoy it more. Give it more life.
So depending on how you look at it. Yes, absolutely. And a lot of people do think, you know, I have two little boys. I have a dog.
We're actually getting another dog and we have two cats. So our home is very lived in. And a lot of people are like, how do you keep your house so clean and the environment so calm. I think that that's, you know, really important for people to understand that you can bring that it's just something that you have to, you know, incorporating your home.
I think calmness. Really is a part of design. So important. Yeah.
So I think that nowadays everybody, when they look at how they are designing things, they start to add things and adding and adding and that creates a cloud-specific environment, which is the opposite of being calm. And you want to create something that you mentioned and write an animalistic on deck or with intention. I guess the intention that matters because what is your intention? Are you trying to build a calm environment design something that is going to put you in a good mood?
What is it? Right? Because you got to have that intention and not just stuff it because then it creates that stress. Absolutely.
And then tension also is different for everybody. I mean, comfort for you and luxury for you is going to be a different aspect for me. And I think it's important for people to really design their home on a feeling that they're looking for, not just what they think, you know, the trends are. They're going to come and go.
I mean, when you live in your home, it's just you have to make it the environment where you're going to feel the most comfortable all the time. Now, let me ask you on how you feel a community and an audience because you have a great following on Instagram. I wanted to ask you, what about this other platform? I take pictures at the time.
What is your go-to platform? I would definitely say Instagram. I've done TikTok. It just became too much.
It was great. I just, I just love Instagram. The people on there, just so I have to say my followers are really amazing people. I don't get any harsh, mean negative comments.
And I think it's important for me to put out, you know, as much positivity and calmness as I can. And I hope that that filters through with my content. But I'm very blessed that I feel like I have a lot of good followers, you know, that are very loyal and kind. So what's the biggest lesson you've learned throughout this journey?
I would have to say is just be authentic. I never compare myself to anyone else on Instagram. I really try to be a cheerleader for other business owners, you know, especially small businesses in the town that I live in, as well as other women that I've met on this platform that are working just as hard. I think it's important to lift other women up and other people that are trying to make themselves better and contribute to society.
I love it. Well, we always ask the question to all of our guests and that's what is luxury to you? I saw that question and I thought about it. That was the only question I actually thought about.
And for me, honestly, it's one I can use all of my five senses. I think that sensory overload can be, especially nowadays, just a little bit too much, but for me, it's not a little bit too much. But for me, luxury is that perfect overload of texture smells feels taste like, you know, when you walk into a beautiful restaurant and you see beautiful pieces and you get to taste the beautiful food and how amazing everything is that for me. It's like going on vacation or walking into my home that feeling.
Wow, never heard that. That's actually very interesting. I never really take a moment to be present in that sense and try to activate all senses. I'm just enjoying it.
Right. So I'm going to start giving it more of a thought every time I'm stepping into something. Especially as you mentioned, like it's the full overload of senses, but makes it so special. Yeah, that's exactly.
I mean, you know, when you walk into a home and you're selling it and you smell the, you know, sea breeze or whatever it may be, it's just, yeah, that's what it could sell the home. Yeah, absolutely. No, that's right. It's funny because we all have different definitions of a luxury store, right?
But when it comes to what you just said, it's funny because every morning when I go through my vision, I have like a little movie that I created. And it's funny because I don't even call it a vision board or vision. I call it vision with five senses activated. Like I make sure it's a movie that has images I can see sounds like in here.
I make sure I have textures next to me that are like kind of reminding me of what it is that I'm seeing. And then I'm also trying to smell it at the same time. So kind of like a weird thing, but it's activating all the senses and that makes it even feel more real and you're right. Like everything that becomes super luxury in this case, it's real through the senses.
I really thought about that, you know, because I do feel like when you walk into a place that you feel like, wow, this is amazing. It's not just what you're seeing. It's what you're hearing, which you're smelling. Yeah.
Thank you. Look, if there is one piece of advice that you can give your younger self, what would that be? That to trust myself, I would say that I've always worked really hard and I know it sounds crazy, but I've always gotten what I wanted and it's not just because I've wanted it, but because I've worked for it. Well, look, if anybody's looking to redesign their home or get some inspiration, what's the best way to contact you?
I would say through my email on my Instagram, that's probably the best, easiest way. Perfect. So we'll put all the information and good luck with everything you're doing. Can we see your product line once you launch it?
We'll support it. And if you want to come down here, we'll catch up and see how we can stand cooperating with this incredible home that we have here. I would love to. Thank you so much.
Likewise. Take care. Bye. Alio.
And thanks again for everybody tuning in today. We hope you enjoyed it. I remember. Embrace it's beautiful success in life.
My name is Alvaro and I'll see you next time.