by Ashley Cole
Many clients come to me at the beginning of a project with the same dilemma. Where do you start? How do you know what your style is? There are so many choices these days, it can be overwhelming. Even designers need inspiration. Every day my eyes are open to the world around me, taking in color, light, texture, shape and spatial relationships. Design is my passion so I can’t help but think about it all of the time. But if you’re not a designer and want to begin a design journey within your home, here are some places to take inspiration from.
Blogs: The amazing world of online blogs is simply astounding. There are designers, design enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers out there who make it their hobby or nearly a full time job to share thoughts and findings with their cyber friends. When embarking on a project of your own it can be comforting to see it done by someone out there just like yourself. Or, reach for blogs written by professional designers for a virtual library of shared ideas and resources. Some of my current favorite blogs are:
• hammersandhighheels.blogspot.com
• theinspiredroom.net
• design-seed.com
• habituallychic.blogspot.com
• thefabulousdesignfile.blogspot.com
Fashion: Who doesn’t love fashion? It is fun, ever-changing and always on the cutting edge of trends. Whether it’s the design of products, homes or fashion, they follow each other closely. Browse the web or fashion magazines to take in the latest colors, patterns and combination of textures. Dissect an outfit into a room. Really, it works! Notice the fabric texture, pattern and color combination of an outfit you like. Now imagine the pants as a sofa, the top as a side chair, the scarf as throw pillows and the metal necklace as an accent vase. You get the idea.
Travel: By far one of the biggest inspirations for me is travel. Experiencing other cities and cultures is an overwhelming eye opener. I do it every chance I get. When you stay in the same place it’s easy to stay stuck in a design rut as you may see the same things everywhere. Getting out of the comfort zone exposes one to new and exciting spaces, architecture and resources. When visiting a new city make a point to find its design district – nearly every big city has one. Wander around furniture stores, tile shops, lighting showrooms, even lobbies of hotels for ideas. If travel to far-away locations isn’t in the cards at the moment (especially if you’re saving for a big home project), then take in your local surroundings in a new way. Look at your own city through the eyes of a tourist. Make a point to go into buildings you haven’t before. Tour a Parade of Homes or design open houses. Walk around looking at the exteriors of homes in different neighborhoods, stop into a new hotel, viewing the lobby and restaurant spaces. There will be a world of inspiration at every turn. Remember your camera to capture favorite ideas.
Print: Not to state the obvious, but some of the best ideas and pure visual joy come out of design publications. Books, magazines and websites offer a wide range of delightful inspiration. Before embarking on your design adventure, think of it as planning a trip. Wouldn’t you pour over brochures and websites to see where you’re going? Thumb through the newest design books on the shelf, pick up shelter magazines and tear out pages that attract you. I have my clients do it at the beginning of their project with me. It is the best way for them to communicate what “feel” and look they want in their space. Sometimes you may not even know specifically what it is you like about a photo of a room, but if you gather enough you’ll start to see trends in certain colors, wood finishes, furniture styles, etc. from one picture to the next.
Nature: Let’s face it, nature just doesn’t get it wrong. Have you ever witnessed a color combination in the organic world that just seemed “off”? The beauty of our natural surroundings is constantly changing and endlessly inspiring. I can’t imagine any better boost of creativity than going for a walk outdoors and taking it all in. If the winter doesn’t seem particularly inviting for this, pull from seasonal nature photographs. Now have fun incorporating them in your surroundings.
- Ashley Cole
Ashley Cole is a professional interior designer based in Grand Rapids. Her work has been featured on HGTV as well as numerous publications, including Kitchen Trends and Home Magazine. Ashley’s passion is “creating environments that enliven the spirit.” Visit her website at www.ashleycoledesign.com.
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