**Sitting in her favorite spot in her home**

Friends I’m incredibly happy to welcome Patricia Soto a very special friend to the Chalet for a chat.

Patricia Welcome to the Chalet! Please tell us about yourself: Hi, I’m pleased to be here. My name is Patricia. I grew up in La Paz, Bolivia, but I’ve lived in the U.S. for over 35 years. I studied at Texas A&M (Go Aggies) and then moved to South Florida, where I have lived for the past 25 years. I’m married with four children, a Maltese and last year, I became a grandmother. My husband and my parents are my biggest support. Five years ago, my oldest daughter encouraged me to open an Instagram account to share some of my interests… decorating, estate sales and baking. Hence the name Vintage and More. It soon evolved into offering vintage pieces to sell, as I enjoy the searching and finding, but cannot keep all the wonderful treasures I come across. Friends I have to jump in here and share I’ve been a customer more than once - I counted and I own 9 treasures from Vintage and More. Patricia has a brilliant eye and finds the best pieces.

Thank you Meryl - yes you have - so twice a month I post pieces for sale in my IG feed, every Wednesday I discount certain pieces for 24 hours. I have also gone Live on Instagram to sell new finds I haven’t posted to my feed yet.

I’ve always enjoyed antiques and decorating. My mom, grandma and aunts all pour love into their homes and make them wonderful places for the family. I inherited this trait from them. I love finding classic pieces that never go out of style and ones that can start a conversation. Part of the joy of decorating a home is figuring out your style. In my book, there are no rules. If you like it, it’ll work. Make your home yours.

What motivates you? I am event driven. Having something to look forward to, like a holiday, a birthday, or a gathering with family and friends. This motivates me to plan something special and unique for each event. Fortunately, having four children and a large extended family gives me many opportunities.

In regard to my shop, it is a similar motivation. I look for unique and interesting pieces that will allow me to have fun with a creative photo-shoot. I sometimes I spend too much time getting my props ready but I can’t help it! I want every piece to have its special moment.

Treasures from Vintage and More

Here’s Patricia with a very special painting she created. This is the painting I used as the basis of my shop logo. I’m originally from Bolivia and for this painting I used colors from the Bolivian cultures, like Aymara and Quechua.

**Patricia’s Logo is a close up of a painting she created**

Who or What has been the biggest influence on you? Definitely my mom. Her elegance, good manners and love of traditions greatly influenced my style. She makes any event memorable, even a simple breakfast, making it fancier than I would. I hope I can keep those traditions.

Your Happy place – where is it? Even though I’ve traveled to many places in my life, and enjoy travel greatly, my favorite place is my home. Here is where I have all the memories of raising our children. I’ve always wanted my children to have their friends over and have their parties here making it a welcoming place for them to be.

**ready to serve Cuban arroz con pollo, honoring Her mother in law by using her recipe.**

What’s your personal style? I often tell my husband I’m a simple woman and he laughs. I don’t wear too much makeup (probably because I never took the time to learn how do it properly), and prefer wearing comfortable clothes. Even though I might like certain fashion trends, I always prefer a classic style. I love wearing vintage silk shirts and I love mixing patterns, but my go-to is always wearing black. When I’m home, my slippers are my comfort.

What is your home aesthetic? My home aesthetic is classic, welcoming and eclectic. I appreciate things from different time periods and countries. I cannot commit to just one style of decor. I like mixing styles, like placing an antique furniture piece next to a modern piece. For example, the pink marble coffee table in my family room looks great with an oversized Tonala fish, a Wedgwood Jasperware bowl and brutalist candlesticks. My walls are a simple, crème color but I bring color to them with mixed artwork. I could fill my home with artwork from top to bottom. I love the texture of original art. I would rather have a modest oil painting by a street artist than a printed copy of something.

What space are you most comfortable? When I’m alone is when I can rest and focus on myself. The best way for me to do this is through baking. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is, I love to be in my quiet kitchen with a recipe. This is my most comfortable time. As a matter of fact the first time I was interviewed was when I applied and received a call from the Great American Baking Show.

What is something you try and do every day? Although it should be exercising, everyday I ask myself “what’s the next thing I can organize in my house?” I feel that lately, due to my reselling and always having family commitments, I don’t have enough time to keep my house as organized the way I’d like. So, my 2026 goal is to organize something everyday.

**Patricia at the Chihuly Collection Museum. She is Fascinated with his sculptures and colors.**

What’s your guilty pleasure? No question about it, ice cream. My favorite flavors are coffee or cheesecake with raspberries. I will also add - binge watching a TV series with my husband is a pleasure.

Patricia I Iove ice cream too! A million thanks sweet friend for taking the time to sit down and chat with me. It’s been a pleasure and I really appreciate it my dear! Thank you so much for this opportunity. I was a very uplifting thing to do and I feel honored that you thought of me for this series of interviews. It was fun to analyze myself.

Please follow Patrica on Instagram.

Friends I look forward to continuing these chats in the upcoming year and speaking with more brilliant tastemakers and creatives when they’ll answer —