Finding Inspiration & Translating it into Design

"Inspiration is all around us. Don't let the brain limit the mind." - Lisa Harrison

Inspiration truly is all around us, we just need to recognize it. Don't worry though - it doesn't require a profound, philosophical understanding to do so. Inspiration, by definition, is just an influence and recognizing it is simply acknowledging that it makes you feel a certain way. When it comes to interior design sometimes we already have inspiration and we go into a project looking for the ideal space to recreate it, but more often than not in our existing homes it happens in reverse. We have a space, and we are looking for the inspiration.

I Like What I Like.

The first step to finding inspiration is identifying something you like. This could be a favorite photograph, an area rug, a piece of art, or even a destination; although if you decide on a destination I encourage you to have at least one physical representation of that place to incorporate into your design.You'll understand why as we continue to break down the process.

If you know me, you know I love the outdoors. Pretty much every aspect of our home is influenced in some way by the colors & textures of our surrounding area, so it makes total sense that our master bedroom would be inspired by the beautiful Adirondacks. How breathtaking is this view from the "almost" top of Rooster Comb?!

You Make Me Feel...

The next step is to consider the purpose of the space and identify the feeling you want it to evoke. If you are planning a home office it would make sense to design a space that makes you feel focused & undistracted . A home gym would ideally make you feel motivated and energized, and a living room should feel comfortable and inviting. Our bedroom is a place for us. It is not a shared space with regards to entertaining, and it functions as a sanctuary to relax, to unwind, and to rest. Moving forward with full understanding of these 2 concepts is important because it determines the Mood of your space, and the mood serves as the foundation for every aesthetic decision you make going forward.

Let's Set The Stage.

Guess what, you're now two thirds of the way done. Go You! Now we can get into the design. At this point we start pulling details from our inspiration to recreate it on a larger scale. Consider what aspects appeal most to you and make notes. Most often these will be colors, patterns, and textures - the key components to visual design. If your inspiration is a destination, this is one reason I suggest having a physical representation, as it makes extracting these elements easier. In my case I used photographs from our most recent hiking trip through the mountains.

• Color: Pull every color that appears in your inspirations piece and organize a list starting with your favorite. If there are colors that you are not interested in using feel free to remove them from the list completely. From here begin to assign the colors to different elements of your space accordingly, keeping in mind the mood you are trying to create. Start with the largest surface areas first & coordinate them with your neutral tones - be it light or dark. We chose darker walls (for better sleeping) with a neutral, but contrasting bedframe. Keeping these features neutral also allows for easy change of decor down the road. Work your way through the essentials of your space from largest to smallest, assigning your preferred colors as you go. It's best to keep the boldest color options and/or those closest to the bottom of your list to easily changed items such as throws, pillows, and decorative accents. I pulled colors from the autumn leaves, trees, bald rock, and even the skyline.

• Texture: Get creative in the elements that you bring in to the space. Mixing different finishes and material types builds dimension through layering. Much like the objects I identified pulling color from, I was also able to pull textures. Wood, leather, soft furs, even the sheen of the velvet-quilted bedspread is in contrast to the cotton duvet and textured boho pillows. The direction of the patterns and the changing depth of the textiles all work together to recreate the various surfaces represented in the Adirondacks. Don't be put off when individual pieces don't match perfectly, because in the end it's going to be each of these unique elements that come together to create the whole of the design.

"Details matter. They create depth, and depth creates authenticity." - Neil Blumenthal

Finally.....Focus On Your Inspiration

This goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway: Make Your Physical Representation of Inspiration a Feature Point of the Room. This is MOST IMPORTANT when it comes to choosing a destination for your design. Our photos are framed directly above our headboard with wide, white matted frames. When you walk into the space your eye is immediately drawn to them as they contrast the gray walls, and it becomes obvious they are the essence the room was designed around. That's not to say that other features aren't noticeable such as the scale of the bed, the vibrancy of the chestnut quilt, or the mismatched lamps; but the photos above the bed are a focal point used to establish cohesiveness among the various other elements throughout the room. The inspiration piece is the key to accomplishing a fully finished look.

Remember these tips for your next room renovation, or reach out to a.l.r Interior Home for personalized assistance. If there are any design topics you are interested in please feel free to send an email to alrinteriorhome@gmail.com & perhaps it will be featured in the next Blog article!