If you even think you found a deal on any of Birmingham’s trading sites, you better snag it before designer Virginia Volman sees it. With an eye for “potential” and “possibilities,” Virginia isn’t timid about clicking the “interested” button. Most everything in her mélange has been upcycled, re-covered, or reinvented in some way to create a custom look that is at once fresh and familiar. “A home is meant to be lived in, not looked at,” Virginia says. “If it looks good in a photo, that’s great—but it’s even better when people feel at home.”
Virginia Volman Talks Fabulous Finds
STARTING POINTS
When designing a room, Virginia begins with a base layer. “This usually includes your initial investment pieces, the bones of the room,” she says. In her dining room, it’s the brown furniture. Once that’s in place, she adds a secondary layer of wallpaper, lighting, and architectural accents, such as the chair rail. Finishing touches include art, colorful accessories, and finally, flowers and live plants. “Even after the layers are in, I’m constantly editing,” Virginia says. “If I don’t feel a tie to something or I don’t enjoy using it, I will find someone who will.”
SHOPPING LOCAL
“I love supporting local businesses and local artists,” Virginia says. “When I buy something, I want to see it, sit on it, and try it out. You can’t do that when you order something from a website. Plus, many of the local merchants will let you try something in your own home before you actually buy it. And the service is so much better when you shop local.”
LIVE FULLY
“Life isn’t perfect. When things do wear and tear, consider it the patina of a life enjoyed,” Virginia says. “I don’t spend crazy amounts on fabrics, and I usually opt for the five- to seven-year sofa—especially when buying for families with kids and pets.”
Virginia Volman Designs: [email protected], IG: Virginia Volman
