Carmen is married to my husband’s cousin and, though we live only about an hour apart, that distance is far enough to keep us from seeing each other often.
You know — jobs, kids, life.
We visited Carmen and her husband Scott several years ago, when our boys were elementary aged, and even though it was my first time meeting them, I felt welcomed and loved on in a way that stuck with me.
I also felt very impressed by their gorgeous home, which is naturally why I reached out to Carmen all these years later to be featured on Styled in South Florida Home Tours.
In her usual warm way, she invited me back to her home and generously allowed me to showcase every inch of her stunning space.
I loved seeing the house again, but more than that, I loved learning about Carmen.
I learned that she and her family came to this country as Cuban refugees with only the suitcases they could carry and moved into a small apartment in Massachusetts.
Her home design is inspired by her father, who was so careful in the items he selected for their tiny home.
Though they had left everything they owned behind and come to an unknown — and cold! — place, they were able to reinvent themselves and create a new space of belonging.
The apartment wasn’t much, but Carmen remembers walking into it and feeling like it was everything.
She also remembers that her father built her a swing inside, since they didn’t have any outdoor space. Carmen has carried that feeling of whimsy and joy into her own home design through art and color.
She and Scott have lived in their house for 32 years, and it has evolved as their family has grown and changed.
When their son moved out, they had to decide whether to stay put or start somewhere new. They decided to stay, and began shaping the house to suit their new, empty-nester life.
This included converting a guest bedroom into a dream closet for Carmen.
Carmen’s style is “just about happy,” as she puts it. She surrounds herself with color, artwork and photographs that bring joy, and collections from travel — all a reflection of her and her family’s life.
Just like her parents did in that tiny Massachusetts apartment, Carmen and Scott worked together to build a space of belonging, for them and anyone who walks through their doors.
I certainly felt the love during my visit.
I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Carmen as I have.
