Feeling Bored with Your Home?

Here’s where we find our biggest inspiration to ignite our creativity as designers.

*Collected, Natural, Timeless:*
A refinished antique table, paired with a tree branch broken in a storm and a classic design book

First of all, it is important to point out that finding inspiration is not the same as copying. I notice that many people make the mistake of finding a room on Pinterest that they absolutely love and then replicating it exactly as they see in the image.

The problem with this practice is that they almost always feel disappointed in the final product. The design falls flat because it lacks soul, it lacks the magic ingredient required for a uniquely beautiful space that takes your breath away. That one secret ingredient is YOU! The magic is sourced from your own creative life-force energy and shines through in tangible ways.

THE CREATIVE SPARK

I think the single most important thing you can do to enhance your design creativity is to pay attention to details. Live in the moment as much as you can and soak in the world around you.

There is a part of me that is always attentive to the small details surrounding me when I go into a new space, open to allowing inspiration to come to me.

I’m the crazy lady running her hand along the tile wall at some deli in Brooklyn, or stopping to take a picture of the floor in a museum instead of the exhibit. I am always marveling at any intricacies, craftsmanship or subtle details that I encounter.

In design, details are everything!

Maya found inspiration walking through the streets of Paris

NATURE

For both Maya and I, Mother Nature is the most abundant source of creative inspiration. Our Earth is exorbitantly beautiful. Immersing yourself in the natural world is certain to ignite some creativity.

Pay attention to the shapes, textures and colors when you are outdoors. Color palettes are easily chosen when modeled after the manner in which we witness colors in nature. For example, you could look at a flower petal and notice all of the various shades of the same color and how they harmonize with each other. You then could bring that same color palette to life in your space.

MOVIES

It is second nature to me to pay attention to the details of the movie set, especially in rooms that I find beautiful. I ask myself, “What are the elements that I like best, and WHY is this beautiful to me?”

For me, the stand-out elements are usually gorgeous trim work, or deep moody colors that are so complex I can’t even explain them, or an interesting texture or fabric.

I’ll remember these precious nuggets when I’m designing a space and bring them into my design if appropriate.

TREASURE COLLECTION

Maya calls it my “foraging” tendency and my husband calls it hoarding. Truly, they are both correct.

I maintain a collection of trinkets, objects and decor that I absolutely love. They are pieces I’ve sourced in all sorts of ways over many years: at antique markets, auctions, thrift stores and retailers. All are unique, beautiful and collected.

When I am of need of some inspiration, I simply shop the shelves and have a ready-made library of treasures to utilize in my design.

I find that using collected items in our design adds enormous amounts of interest, and depth and soul to any space.

ART

I love to use art to inform the design of any space. (I consider wallpaper to be art, so if there is going to be any wallpaper in the room, I will always use that as the jumping-off point.)

I notice that many people save art choices until the end of the project, but I personally find art to be so inspirational! I would prefer to source artwork first, study it’s proportions, colors, shapes, textures and vibes and then build the rest of the room around it.

DESIGN BOOKS

If I’m feeling uninspired, I will look through design books and simply notice what draws my eye. I’m not looking to copy, but instead to allow the images to ignite that creative fire within me.

This practice is a process of allowing as opposed to a process of seeking.

Of course, everyone will have different books that they feel passionate about, but for me it is anything by Bobby McAlpine: timeless, romantic, collected.

However, inspiration doesn’t exist only in a fancy design book. Lately I am truly loving the Arhaus catalogue! Their present design direction is absolutely my cup of tea.

Find a book (or catalogue) that makes your heart happy, one that you can flip through 100 times without getting bored. Allow inspiration to blossom within you.

Sourcing Inspiration