The TEll// By Thrift & Tell

Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.

This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Paloma Contreras: interior designer, author, and tastemaker. What I love about Paloma’s personal style is that it is classic and consistent. Rather than amassing piles of clothes, she wears well-fitting, timeless silhouettes that can be re-worn again and again. Like any good T&T lady, Paloma also scours The RealReal for her consignment finds and has decided she will soon start consigning (I wonder who she can ask for help?!). Paloma’s beautiful personal style, as you will see below, closely mirrors her aesthetic for interiors; both are grounded in tradition, yet fun and modern. A self-taught designer with a sharp eye, Paloma entered the design world via her blog La Dolce Vita. (Fun fact: I actually got the idea to start this series after hearing Paloma describe her own interview series on The How To Decorate podcast.) Over time, her career has exploded, with her work featured across countless shelter magazines and in several prominent designer showhouses. If, like me, you love Paloma's design aesthetic, you can now shop her curated home finds via her store Paloma & Co and read her book Dream Design Live for continued design inspiration. It is such a treat to have such an esteemed designer be part of this series. Please look forward to more fabulous, inspiring women to come. Enjoy!

//Your style in 3 words: Timeless, feminine, classic

//Staple Outfit: Jeans with a great blazer and a ladylike Shoe

//Style Icon(s): Carolyn Bessette, Lauren Santo Domingo, Lee Radziwill

//Your First Big Purchase: A Louis Vuitton Speedy back in College

//Do You Still Have It? Yes, but I haven't carried it in forever!

//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: Fit is everything.

//Types of clothing you invest in: Wardrobe staples such as a great jacket, a classic shoe, and great-fitting, pretty dresses.

//Types of clothing you save on: Trendier pieces.

//Your greatest extravagance: Travel.

//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: Chanel, Hermes, Oscar de la Renta

//Favorite High Street Brands: Cos, Zara, Vince

//Favorite Designer Brands: Ulla Johnson, Chanel, Celine

Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: I ordered some Zara blazers recently that I've been wearing with Frame jeans and Chanel slingback flats or Le Monde Beryl Mules

//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: The RealReal

//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: I honestly haven't dipped my toe into consigning yet, but I need to! I have at least a dozen pairs of shoes and bags that I am ready to part ways with. You've inspired me!

//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: I wear most everything in my closet!

//Your Closet Tried and Trues: Ann Mashburn tops for everyday, Tish Cox "Barbara" tops and Ulla Johnson dresses for events, Frame denim, and Chanel slingback heels and mules-- they go with absolutely everything!

//Best investment you ever made in your style: Taking the time to hone my style and really focusing on flattering, high-quality pieces that stand the test of time.

//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: Nothing in particular, but I am happy that I no longer feel the need to go for trendy pieces like I did when I was younger.

//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: A very expensive silk blouse I bought at a trunk show and have never worn.

//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: Catherine Deneuve in "Belle du Jour" or Marie Antoinette's-- all of those yards of divine fabric!

//Last Time You Splurged? I just restocked quite a bit of my Tata Harper skincare

//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: A big trip for my husband's upcoming 40th birthday!

//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: I recently bought 12 Brno chairs at auction for a song!

//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: To thine own self be true-- think about the things you find yourself repeatedly drawn to and then edit, edit, edit!

//Trend you wish would go away? 90s mom jeans and all of those huge, hideous sneakers.

//You feel great. What are you wearing? Black Blazer, Jeans, the Chanel slingbacks again (I told you they go with everything!), and great jewelry.

//Occasions when you splurge: In general, for travel. In terms of fashion, for special events and speaking engagements.

//Occasions when you save: If something is having a major moment, it may not end up becoming a classic, so if it's trendier, I'll go somewhere like Zara.

//Most prized possession: My Rolex Lady Datejust 31 with Mother of Pearl Face-- My husband gave it to me for our 10th wedding anniversary. Our 15th is this year and I have an inkling that he is planning something special!

//Home Decor Style: Modern meets Traditional-- it is all about the mix!

//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: I love going on our buying trips abroad for our store, Paloma and Co. I get a rush from the thrill of the hunt!

//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: Chairish, 1st Dibs, Auctions

//Your fashion motto: Keep it classic, but add a hint of glamour.

//Your life motto: Life is too short not to dream big and take risks.

Fill in the blank:

//A woman should invest in- great skincare. //You’re never too old to—learn something new. //A woman can never have too much- too much confidence. // Bury Me In: Valentino Haute Couture. //True or False: More is More- true. //Fashion is- fleeting. //Style is: eternal.

Currently Loving:

//Music: "Texas Sun" by Leon Bridges and Khruangbin

//Print: ELLE Decor

//Food: This divine Summer Salad from a place called Tres Market that just opened by our office

//Drink: I've recently become obsessed with Sakara's Detox drops made from pure Chlorophyll that you add to water. It does wonders to detoxify the body! That balances my love of Casamigos Spicy Margaritas and red wine!

//Film: Any and all Nancy Meyers films for the sets and the "feel good" effect. Her movies are the equivalent of comfort food-- like roast chicken and mashed potatoes. I am Love, High Society, Auntie Mame, and A Single Man for the set design.

//TV: We are huge fans of Succession on HBO. The characters are such terrible people, but the amazing performances by the talented cast make them so fun to watch.

//Podcast: The Business of Home and Second Life

//Instagram Handle: @punk_history

//Designer: Giambattista Valli and Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino

ABOUT PALOMA

Paloma Contreras is an award-winning interior designer, tastemaker, and design influencer based in Houston, Texas. Paloma’s design sensibility is a modern take on traditional style– gravitating towards classic silhouettes and timeless pieces paired with a touch of glamour and an infusion of color. Paloma has honed her distinct eye for style through a decade in the design industry and a lifetime of appreciating beauty in all of its various forms. She has developed a reputation for designing beautiful interiors in a broad range of styles which are executed in a manner that is polished, refined, and effortless.

Paloma has been repeatedly named to the prestigious ELLE Decor “A-List” of the top interior designers in the world. She has also been recognized as a “Next Wave” interior designer by House Beautiful and has been named to LUXE Magazine’s “Gold List”. In 2017, Paloma was named #4 on the Forbes list of the Top Social Media Influencers in the Home category and is one of the Top 10 Instagram accounts to follow for interior design according to ELLE Decor. Paloma and her work have been featured in numerous publications and websites including ELLE Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, Vogue, Domino, Luxe, Traditional Home, Southern Living, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. In addition, Paloma recently debuted a licensed collection with Williams Sonoma Home and has also worked on special projects with top brands such as One Kings Lane, Bravo Television, American Express, Kitchen Aid, Nest, Kohler, Auberge du Soleil, and Peninsula Hotels. Paloma’s first book, Dream Design Live was published by Abrams in September 2018. In her free time, Paloma enjoys traveling with her husband, Fabian and spending time with their sweet dog, Tate.