A former TV Set Decorator, Greg Wolfson is also an Interior Designer specializing in turn-key residential design in Puerto Vallarta, Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Here, he answers your home decor and interior design questions:

Dear Greg;

We saw your advice on BanderasNews.com and looked at your website, where we saw some of the homes you have designed in Palm Springs and in Puerto Vallarta.

First of all, I would like to say "WOW!" Secondly, they are each so unique, yet have a feeling of being surrounded in luxury. We are currently decorating our own (1st) vacation home in Puerto Vallarta (we don't have the budget to hire a decorator,) and we keep coming up frustrated.

Our biggest problem is that we can't quite get that feeling of being taken care of, like at a great spa or hotel. We will be renting out this condo when we aren't using it, so we would like our renters to have an experience that they want to repeat and recommend to their friends.

Do you have a few inexpensive tips you can offer us? Please keep in mind, we will need to do our shopping here in Puerto Vallarta. Thanks! And BRAVO on the clip of your show and all the amazing projects on your website!

Mario and Susan

Dear M & S;

Thank you so much for the compliments! I hope you were able to find some inspiration.

I think you hit on a key point that a lot of homeowners overlook when decorating a vacation home, whether or not it will be used for income rental as well: the feeling of vacation! One of the best things about travelling to hotels or luxury condos is living in an environment that is AWAY. Away from your life, your city, your "every day" existence.

Too often, we repeat our favorites: colors, styles, even towels and linens. Why not take this opportunity to switch it up and let this new place have its own personality? I bet you will also find more people will find it their own "home away from home" if you do.

Simple things to do to achieve a "boutique" environment can include the following:

1. Use scented candles in all the bedrooms. Choose a soothing smelling candle and buy one for every nightstand in the house (try Costco or Sam's Club). Now buy 20 more, and keep them in a storage cupboard, so that when they are used up you will be able to restock without re-shopping!

2. Buy plenty of sample size toiletries (soaps, shampoos, conditioners, body wash, deodorants, sunscreen, razors, shaving cream, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray) and again buy dozens to save the constant trips to the store. Having a plentiful supply of luxury feeling toiletries will save you and your guests rushing out on their first day to stock up on all the goodies we aren't allowed in the carry-on. A guest who is given all these "perks" will definitely remember their stay fondly. Again, try Costco or Sam's Club.

3. Fresh Flowers. It's glamorous and exciting to be greeted by the sight of fresh flowers. There are several wonderful flower shops in Puerto Vallarta (as there are in most vacation towns). Think about a few key places in the condo that would really pop with fresh flowers. Strike a deal with a local shop, so that you can send them an email any time you are coming down or have a booking, and they can deliver and install the flowers moments before you arrive. A small amount of money on a glamorous item such as fresh flowers will sell "luxury" every time. Be mindful of using flowers that are locally produced and in season, and the price will be lower than insisting on specific flowers such as roses or sunflowers (for instance).

4. Buy high thread count sheets and pillowcases for all the bedrooms (and get at least 4 or 5 extras, to save re-shopping). Keep it simple and do all your linens in a solid "hotel" white, and your personality will stay at your house, and the "hotel" will move in with you here. Same with the bath towels. Go for a bath-sheet size, and live a little! Lots and lots of fluffy white towels makes anyone feel like a movie star! And while you are at it, provide big fluffy white robes in each bedroom for the amount of people the room sleeps. Having a robe to snuggle up in after a day at the beach or by the pool IS a luxury. They have a great selection of linens and towels at Liverpool and at the mall in Marina Vallarta.

Feel free to send any and all your design questions and dilemmas to me at Greg(at)gregwolfson.com.

Best,
Greg