The Role of Inspiration In Design

What is “inspiration?”  Inspiration is what excites and motivates you, but more than that, it
provides invaluable focus and clarity for your design vision.  By narrowing your choices, 

it enables you to make good editing decisions, giving your space a cohesive, put-together 

look.  Inspiration can come from anything and anywhere; a piece of art that captures a mood,

a piece of furniture that makes you smile, a rug or fabric around which you can design an 

entire room, or even just a single photograph that captures your fancy.  

An Example of Inspiration at Work

We recently started working on a proposal for a beach house project which includes an entry

foyer and dining and living rooms.  As we always do when meeting with new clients, we 

asked the owner for the three words that best described her vision for the finished space.  

Her three words?  " Elegant but relaxed and pretty." 

So many colors…. so many spectacular furnishings and fabrics…… so many ways to go.

The inspiration for this space ended up coming from an unexpected 
source --- Kelly’s daughter's bathing suit.  The earthy but elegant palette
of brown, golden yellow, turquoise and two shades of orange screamed

“summer at the beach" without a single nautical reference.  So much 

more chic than the expected all-blue beach décor.

Armed with the client’s vision and our inspiration, we came up with a warm combination

of rustic and elegant pieces, mixed with fun pops of graphic color and a bit of gold.  As 

with all of our rooms, we mixed new and vintage pieces  to create warmth and character.

We’ll give you a sneak peek at our proposed design plan………

THE ENTRY FOYER

In the entrance foyer, we wanted to make an immediate statement that was welcoming,

functional and breathtakingly beautiful.  After all, the entrance sets the mood for the rest

of the house.  We suggested covering the primary wall with a graphic wallpaper that was

both elegant and fun, 

adding a curvy oval table made from reclaimed lumber (the perfect

piece for this sun-washed cottage),

juxtaposed with a huge, distinctly less rustic mirror,

a fun, organic chandelier, 

and I brown rug showcasing circles, a common theme throughout our design plan.

On a functional note, we proposed adding rows of knobs resembling twigs to one wall in

the entrance foyer, creating both the perfect place to hang your sunhat or beach bag
and a colorful, folk-artsy tableau.

THE DINING ROOM

We continued these themes in the dining room, where we suggested using colorful, graphic 

fabrics and a mix of dark brown and white painted furniture.  We chose a glass-topped dining

table to make the room seem large and airy, added a couple of beautiful but functional

pieces for needed storage and a strong graphic rug to anchor the space.  For the walls, 
we proposed one of our favorite colors, a white with just a smidge of blue.

We love these Frances Elkins loop dining chairs which are both elegant and casual covered
in an orange fabric with great movement and pop.

At the foot of the dining table, we chose a dark brown bamboo console that could serve as

both storage and the perfect place to setup a buffet. 

Above the console, we proposed a dramatic faux coral mirror with gold leafed tips. 
Spectacular!

On either end of the long console, we suggested some fun Christopher Spitzmiller lamps

with dimmers for evening dining.  They look yummy enough to eat.

Speaking of lighting, we chose a playful take on a more formal chandelier for above

the dining table.

And for additional storage we added a stunning mid-century Chinese Chippendale

buffet to the mix. It’s truly special pieces like this that elevate a space from predictable

to breathtaking.

THE LIVING ROOM

After much discussion over what to propose, we decided to float two of these long, 

comfortable sofas across from one another in the living room.  Covered in an

easy-to-bleach white denim…. to us, they epitomize casual elegance.

 Using our inspiration as a guide, we chose a fun and colorful mix of pillow fabrics. 

Above the sofa we suggested a big, beautiful, abstract oil painting that captures the

essence of this quintessential island house.

We chose a long vintage faux bamboo gilded coffee table to center between the sofas.

You can never have too much faux bamboo!

We added two of these chairs to the mix for additional seating.  We love the sense of order

and harmony that comes from the symmetry of using two sofas, two, chairs, and…….

two side tables – a girl’s gotta have somewhere to put her cocktail!

For lighting in the room, we proposed supplementing the existing recessed lighting with

a pair of these gorgeous Oly floor lamps. Love them!

Rounding out the room, we added a restored mid-century faux bamboo bar on one wall….
so chic, so Cary Grant and Myrna Loy with a twist!

On either side of the bar, we proposed these stools made from woven seagrass.

They serve as additional seating and add a comforting texture and symmetry to the space.

As an extra bonus for the lady of the house, who likes nothing better than to curl up with

a book, we chose this (surprisingly comfortable) chair paired with a lamp and a side table.  

What could be better?

The rug we proposed coordinates with and compliments, but doesn’t match, the one in the adjoining dining room.

And, finally, our favorite piece in the room, a one-of-a-kind, hand-made, functional piece

of art, a rocking chair made out of hand bent rebar.  Beautiful, functional, and certainly a conversation piece!

The Result

Elegant? Check.  Relaxed? Check.  Pretty? Check.

Our next inspiration?   We’re dreaming about seasonal rustic elegance with a touch of 

modern whimsy.  

How about...mmmm....Tori Burch Boot + Hudson Table (with a sprinkling of flowers and
peppers) + Schumacher Fabrics and Suzani Pillows = Fabulous Fall

What's your inspiration?