Designing on a dime

Vesta Taylor offers 'reasonable' home design solutions

By Austin Nelson (Contact) | Greenville Advocate

Published Thursday, July 22, 2010

While she still owned Alissa's Closet, Vesta Taylor found herself doing more and more design work.

It was around then that Taylor made the decision to make designing her full-time job.

"I was ready for a change," Taylor said. "I just loved designing homes and selling home décor more."

Taylor went back to college, and when she returned, Vesta Taylor Interiors was born. The interior design shop now sits on Fort Dale Road, where it has resided since it opened in February.

"For me, I really like to do it all," Taylor said.

Taylor's sentiments are far from lip service - Vesta Taylor Interiors covers all parts of home design from exterior lighting and shutters to cabinetry and interior décor.

Taylor said business has been good, something she credits to her prices.

"Right now, in this economy, you have to be reasonable," Taylor said. "Part of that is doing as little or as much as the customer wants."

For those wanting a touch of elegant design without hiring a designer, Taylor said she carries a variety of gifts and home décor items at affordable prices. When it comes to design, she'll do everything from designing a simple powder room to doing pre-construction design for new spaces.

"A lot of people are taking their existing homes and doing something new with them," Taylor said. "But I will go in and help pick out the tile, cabinetry and flooring before construction begins."

Vesta Taylor Interiors also offers commercial services, Taylor said.

"I am really intrigued by restaurant dining rooms," Taylor said. "But I'll do anything commercial, from law to real estate offices."

Kitchens, Taylor said, are some of her favorite spaces to design.

"Kitchen design is much more of a challenge to work with, especially when you are making cabinets," Taylor said.

When it comes down to it, Taylor said, it really doesn't matter room she would like to decorate-it's all about the customer.

"Sometimes I'll go in to a house and they will want me to design a bedroom, but something about the architecture of the den makes me want to work on that more," Taylor said.

With Christmas approaching, Taylor said she also plans to offer a Christmas decorating service, where she will help customers set up and decorate their house interiors, exteriors and Christmas trees.

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