What inspires an Interior Designer?

Two of my favorite sources of inspiration come together in this post. That being, Veranda magazine and the homes found proudly lined up along the Pacific coast in Newport Beach California.

One of our rituals on the first morning of waking up in Newport Beach is to ride bikes along the Pacific Coast Highway; winding thru the streets of Newport Beach to take the ferry over to Balboa Island. This paradise is the location of our vacation timeshare. With the sparkling Pacific Ocean on one side and immaculate lawns with stunning Architecture coming into view, one after another; for me this is as close to heaven that it gets.

Found in the May/June 2014 issue of the ‘Veranda’ magazine is featured one of these homes. On the other side of this door is the Pacific Ocean just beyond the white sandy beach. If you close your eyes, can you smell it…..the ocean.

Some trends have more staying power. Others are fleeting. However, some capture my attention and I start seeing them everywhere I go; which is what is occurring with the emerging trend of the weathered blond woods. Currently, `Restoration Hardware’s impact can be seen everywhere with the weathered gray and brown tones.

Benches in aged blonde finish

Ethereal are the colors that lend itself to this weathered blond wood. Creamy whites, paired with washed out blues ranging to more saturated hues, such as teal blue. The same applies to the greens. As shown here with the olive green velvet covering on the benches as they punctuate this restful bedroom in layers of blue and white.

When a trend captures your attention – you start seeing it everywhere. All of these examples are found were found in the same issue of the Veranda magazine.

This will be the first in a series of posts of what inspires ‘this’ Interior Designer. The frequency of these posts – will be determined by serendipitous moments of inspiration of course. I would love to hear what inspires you.