Veronica Helen Speck has built her New York home and closet the way she approaches everything: with intention. The founder of VHS Ventures has curated a world of objects found and collected over time, from vintage treasures and pre-Columbian–inspired jewelry to artisan-made bags and one-of-a-kind collectible design pieces.
Instead of chasing trends, Speck is guided by emotion, function, and the meaning each item takes on once it’s truly lived with. After years of working with luxury clients, she has developed an eye that seeks pieces that hold memory, reveal the hand and craft behind them, and balance beauty with purpose.
For ¡HOLA!, Speck shares the objects that inspire her most and the Latin American designers and makers behind them, spanning fashion and interiors. She also opens up about the questions that shape her philosophy, from what makes a piece feel worthy of belonging to how craftsmanship, travel, and time itself influence the way she curates a meaningful home, little by little.
I often return to William Morris, founder of the Arts & Crafts Movement, and his enduring belief: “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” That philosophy continues to guide me. I am drawn to objects that strike a balance between beauty and function, pieces that are visually compelling yet purposeful. Surrounding myself with beautiful things brings me genuine joy, especially when those objects carry sentiment or tell a story beyond themselves.
Living in New York City, with its constant energy and intensity, has shaped how I think about my home. Within my personal space, I crave calm and restraint. My interiors are intentionally soft and grounding, built around warm tones, tactile materials, and a largely neutral palette. Because I often work from home, I value an environment that feels balanced, clean, and restorative. That sense of quiet, however, is where my home ends. Once I step out the door, I allow myself far more expression in my wardrobe.
For a piece to truly belong in my home or closet, I need to understand its history. Whether it is a vintage garment, a piece of my grandmother’s jewelry, each tied to memories of my grandfather, or a one-of-a-kind handcrafted object, provenance matters deeply to me. Ideally, there is an emotional pull. The piece makes me smile, sparks recognition, or transports me to a specific place or moment. When something carries memory, meaning, and intention, it becomes more than an object; it becomes part of a personal narrative and, ultimately, a signature style and heirloom to pass on to my future children and the next generation.
“I am drawn to designers and brands who understand that time is the ultimate luxury. We never have enough of it, and the idea that good things take time is especially true in craftsmanship.”
Start with what you truly love. A meaningful home is not assembled overnight, nor should it be. It is built slowly, thoughtfully, and with intention. Collect art, objects, and furniture that evoke an emotional response, pieces that spark memory, curiosity, or recognition. If something moves you, it belongs.
We live in a culture that rushes toward completion, often outsourcing the entire process in the pursuit of immediacy. I encourage the opposite. Slow down and allow your home to evolve alongside you. There is real pleasure in the hunt and a quiet satisfaction that comes from discovering the right piece at the right moment, often when you are not actively looking for it. Much like falling in love, it arrives when you least expect it, yet always at exactly the right time.
Travel has always been one of my greatest sources of inspiration. Visiting galleries, museums, and historic homes sharpens the eye, while wandering local markets, small boutiques, vintage stores, flea markets, and auction houses invites serendipity. These are the places where objects with soul reveal themselves. Pieces acquired this way carry stories and context; they become anchors of memory rather than mere decoration.
Ultimately, it is the small, considered details that transform a house into a home. A space should feel collected rather than curated, lived in rather than styled. Given time, your home becomes a reflection not just of your taste, but of your life, your travels, and your sensibility.
Latin American craftsmanship reminds me that beauty can be purposeful, that objects can hold history, and that true luxury is rooted in time, care, and cultural identity. I have always believed that objects carry memory. The most compelling ones tell stories of place, time, and the hands that made them.
My connection to Latin American craft is deeply personal, perhaps rooted in my childhood in San Diego, where Mexican culture is woven into everyday life. My work has always been about elevation without erasure, honoring where creators come from while positioning them confidently on the international stage in a contemporary context. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to champion them.
I am drawn to designers and brands who understand that time is the ultimate luxury. We never have enough of it, and the idea that good things take time is especially true in craftsmanship. One powerful example is Verdi’s tapestry El Ocaso, created for Cartier’s Trinity 100 exhibition in Shanghai. The piece required nearly 970 hours of meticulous work by 20 artisans, a reminder that the most meaningful creations are born through patience, dedication, and respect for craft.
“Latin American craftsmanship reminds me that beauty can be purposeful, that objects can hold history, and that true luxury is rooted in time, care, and cultural identity.”
Objects, design and fashion that inspire Veronica
“A meaningful home is not assembled overnight, nor should it be. It is built slowly, thoughtfully, and with intention.”
The Verdi Mochila Limited edition Verdi x Johanna Ortiz, Mochila Bag
The Verdi Mochila ($1,150) is a contemporary reinterpretation of one of Colombia’s most iconic crafts.
Traditionally handwoven by Indigenous communities, the mochila carries symbolic patterns tied to nature, spirituality, and storytelling. Verdi elevates it with natural fibers and their signature metal threads in copper, silver, and gold, all crafted by hand in Bogotá.
This limited-edition gold and silver version was created with Johanna Ortiz and inspired by magical realism. It takes up to 60 hours to make. Speck said: "when I carry it, I’m reminded of my trips to Colombia, one of my favorite places."
Alexia Maria, Anniversary Gown
Mexican designer Alexia María is based in my hometown of San Diego, California where all of her made-to-order silk faille gowns are handcrafted by women artisans in her atelier.
"Much like me, Alexia Maria is inspired by yesteryears; each collection references the Golden Age of Old Hollywood Cinema and days gone by. Most of my favorite red carpet, gala, or wedding guest moments are thanks to Alexia María and her classic, elegant designs."
The Alexia Maria, Anniversary Off-The-Shoulder Double Bow Silk Faille Column Gown with Detachable Cape ($4,270) is the epitome of timeless glamour and craftsmanship. Featuring a dramatic double bow across the shoulders, this gown is meticulously crafted from luxurious silk faille fabric. The sleek column silhouette offers a statuesque fit, while the detachable cape adds a regal touch, allowing for a versatile look that transitions effortlessly from elegant minimalism to full dramatic flair.
Bea Pernia, Beloco Table
Born in Venezuela, Bea Pernia draws deeply from the natural poetry of her native landscape, where mountains, coastline, stone, and light coexist in constant dialogue.
That sensibility runs through all of her work, from immersive interiors to sculptural collectible design, where organic materials are treated with reverence and restraint.
The Beloco table (Price Upon Request ), crafted in wood and marble, is a refined expression of this philosophy. Its balanced composition evokes the geological contrasts and quiet strength of nature, translating raw elements into a piece that feels both grounded and architectural.
"This table debuted as part of the Atus Collection during Design Miami and was one of my favorite pieces."
Casa Alfarera, Mushroom Lamp
The Casa Alfarera Mushroom Lamp (Price Upon Request) is part of a collection of handcrafted ceramic table lamps recognized for their unique, organic mushroom-like shapes and tactile glazes.
Founded by ceramist Ysabela Molini, the Casa Alfarera workshop is located in a restored 17th century building in the colonial city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Speck shares that "It's very much worth a visit!"
Collections include handmade stoneware and ceramic pieces, including planters, vases, lighting, and furniture– all made by skilled artisans, potters, and glazers. She added,"I love biophilic design and the idea of bringing nature indoors, and this lamp perfectly exemplifies this."
Monica Sordo, Cubagua Earrings
Monica Sordo's Cubagua earrings ($380) are named after the pearl-rich Cubagua Island in Venezuela. Legend has it that the island’s native people adorned themselves with jewelry pieces using the shell of a pearl oyster.
"I love to wear these statement earrings whether I am dressed up in a gown or dressed down in a pair of jeans."
The large, textured, lightweight gold or silver-plated brass shape is a reinterpretation of this moment in history. Handcrafted in Peru, they are more than just accessories; they're wearable art connecting to Caribbean roots and Latin American heritage, combining historical reverence with modern luxury and sculptural, innovative design.
Hino Studio x Art & Loom, Toro Rug
Born in Bolivia, and based in Miami, Sabrina Maclean leads Hino Studio with a quiet authority rooted in lineage, craft, and restraint.
Having taken the helm of the studio founded by her mother, the acclaimed designer Carola Hinojosa, Maclean continues a legacy defined by timeless minimalism and material intelligence, while expanding the brand’s reach through sophisticated residential and hospitality projects, a collectible objects line with Holly Hunt, and an exquisite capsule with Art & Loom.
"Among my favorite pieces is the hand knotted Toro rug, a poetic work inspired by Japanese lanterns and the circle of life, where texture, proportion, and symbolism converge into an object of enduring beauty."
Sten Studio, Lithic Bloom
Mexican design firm Sten Studio by José Miguel Schnaider debuted Lithic Bloom at Design Miami this year, immortalizing the delicate nature of flowers in marble.
Dominican interior designer Jorge Brown Cott and French curator Alban Roger served as Creative Directors resulting in a tour de force of design. "I love these striking totems, and hope to have them in my future home one day!"
Cano Jewelry, Amazonas Choker
Cano Jewelry’s story began in late 19th-century Colombia when founder Nemesio Cano discovered pre-Columbian treasures, which sparked a lifelong dedication to studying and preserving the region’s ancient goldsmithing traditions and lost-wax casting techniques.
His passion became a family legacy, passed down through five generations, with each era deepening the dialogue between archaeology, craft, and design. Today, under the direction of Eduardo Cano, the house translates this extraordinary heritage, reinterpreting ancestral heirlooms into contemporary jewelry. The Amazonas choker ($750) is inspired by Quimbaya, an ancient, extinct indigenous people from Colombia, famous for their intricate goldwork and pottery. "This versatile, unique piece is the perfect complement to a simple black dress or a classic white t-shirt."
Collecto, sets and collabs
Collecto by Federika Longinotti Buitoni is one of my most trusted shopping destinations, particularly for discovering and supporting Latin American design.
The platform has a remarkable ability to bring meaningful collaborations to light, such as the launch of Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz’s Entre Ríos home collection or the Collecto x Corocora capsule, which includes round Ondas placemats woven from Iraca palm native to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Collecto also partnered with Artefeno to debut the Gold Embossed Palm place card set.
"Crafted in Colombia, these give a sophisticated tropical touch to my table whether I am hosting a holiday soiree or a dinner party, these place cards add an elegant, personalized detail for guests."