Nathalie Taylor - Features Editor
Thursday, December 27th, 2007. Issue 52, Volume 11

Walking into Tonya Orlando’s home is like walking into an art gallery. The difference, however, is that her home was designed to withstand the wear and tear of everyday living. Tonya, her husband and two children live in this warm-hued and inviting Fallbrook home.

Tonya is an artist and designer who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in apparel design from the Rhode Island School of Design. She worked for several years as a footwear designer and now has her own design company.

What caught the eye of the “Oprah” show crew was the fact that her home looks “like a million bucks,” but she didn’t have to spend a fortune to get it that way. Much of her furniture was purchased directly from the manufacturer and picked up by Tonya and her husband in a U-Haul.

She purchased some of her designer items from consignment stores and saved thousands on items such as a zebrawood dining table and Italian silk light fixtures.

After the Orlandos purchased their home they decided on a complete remodel. The house is designed with earth tones – hues which Tonya has carried throughout the home. She feels the tones make for a “calm and relaxing” atmosphere.

“I also wanted to create continuity by using the same things over and over, like the travertine on the floor and in the niches,” Tonya explained.

Because they patronized local businesses the Orlandos were able to stay in close contact with the business owners. Tonya did much of the design work herself but also relied on local help, especially from Ken Clark, owner of Fallbrook’s Village Kitchen Design, who assisted her with the kitchen cabinetry as well as with those of the bathrooms.

Tonya chose rich alderwood cabinets to accent the gourmet kitchen and the large center island. The cabinets work well with the kitchen’s oil-rubbed bronze fixtures.

Tonya was interested in creating a functional kitchen, so she had a unit installed which doubles as a computer and a television. “Now I can look up recipes in the kitchen,” she said.

When Tonya was looking for more Zulu baskets to add to her already existing collection, she turned to Rainbow Designs in Fallbrook, where she selected some exotic pieces. “I love how they bring in a natural look to the home,” she commented.

Because Tonya enjoys “having something whimsical and totally unexpected” in her home, she came home with a sparkling giant Christmas ball from Chattels in Fallbrook. The ball, which is about a foot in diameter, sits at the base of her Christmas tree.

The tree itself is decorated with ornaments and other items also purchased at Chattels. “I was inspired by what I saw in the store,” she said.

Tonya purchased the hickory wood flooring for the master bedroom suite from Mostly Windows in Fallbrook. She chose a rustic, slightly distressed look that will stand up well to years of wear.

Much of the artwork in the Orlando home has been created by Tonya and her husband. He does amazing work with photography and she is equally as gifted with creating marvelous chalk drawings and earth-hued paintings.

Tonya’s palette is her entire home and, by using local artisans and craftspeople, she has attained her decorating goal of creating a warm and soothing earth-hued living environment.