Where Does Your Personal Interior Design Inspiration Come From?
Lately, there is a lot of talk about individual expression in interior design. It got me to thinking “Where does personal design inspiration come from?” I have some ideas about where I get mine and I’d love to hear about yours in the comments.
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy.
Personal Interior Design Inspiration Sources
1. Boutique Hotels
A boutique hotel can be inspiring especially if you are on vacation and can let your mind absorb the details.
The Langham Sydney, Australia
Saint Bibiana Hotel, Savannah • Hôtel Particulier Montmartre Paris
2. Historic Homes Museums
Older homes are masterclasses in proportion, millwork, and timeless color palettes. Touring a historic property helps you notice ceiling height, trim detail, and how rooms flow.
You may like Why Visiting The Biltmore In Asheville NC Is Worth It and Palatial Living At The Breakers in Newport, RI.
3. High-End Retail Stores
Visual merchandising is basically decorating on fast-forward. Stores are constantly rotating displays, playing with color and styling vignettes.
The photo on the left is from our local Jacksonville Beach Phoebe Howard store, center is Southern Crafted in Savannah and on the right is the Serena and Lily store in San Francisco.
I always like to stop into Nickey Kehoe when I’m in L.A.
4. Travel
This trip had me dreaming of pinks, peach, lavander blues and greens.
Different regions use materials, color, and light in unique ways. A trip to Provence might inspire plaster walls, objects with patina and warm colors. You may like Farmhouse Manor in Provence: The Perfect Vacation Spot For Your Family.
5. Art Galleries & Museums
The Louvre in Paris always gets my creative juices flowing.
You may also like New Places We Loved In PARIS That You Should Try.
6. Other Sources For Inspiration: Blogs, Instagram and Magazines
Blogs: Last week, I was reading Juliet’s blog“Make Mine A Spritzer” were she featured a floral designer who used lots of eucalyptus branches. So I tried my own version using Trader Joe’s flowers.
Print and Digital Magazines
I still like to hold on to a print magazine, how about you? But we do get several magazines with our Apple News Subscription.
What to Watch And Wear To A Movie Matinee
On Thursday I went to see “Wuthering Heights” at a 4 pm matinee (deluxe seating I might add)…by myself. Which was a good move as Howard would have hated it. It’s disturbing, slow, but a romantic escape. I liked it and my daughter loved it.
Comfy Outfit For The Movies
- Performance Pullover Hoodie
- Charley Kickout Cropped Jean (size 27 petite–could size down for a more fitted look in the hips)
- Adidas blue sneakers (I normally buy a 7 but this time bought a 6.5 based on reviews and I think they fit better)
- The Bucket Soft Tote from Maison de Sabré was gifted (super nice bag) and they have cute well crafted leather charms that you can add to make yours more unique.
- If you are thinking I carried the tote to sneak in snacks…you could be right (but all I could find were some leftover chocolate chips in the freezer which I added to purchased popcorn).
So where do you get your interior design inspo from?
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
MA! You’re right on about all these things inspiring ideas. Whenever I travel or take a home tour I’m ready to redo something in my own home. Darling movie going ensemble. Love those jeans. Also glad to hear you enjoyed the movie, I’m a big baby and a little scared to go. Beautiful work with your bouquet, by the way. You’re as talented with flowers as you are with everything else. Just beautiful. xo
Thanks for the inspiration tips
I saw “Wurthering Heights” and also found it very disturbing. I did not care for it at all.
Hi Mary Ann,
I usually reply to you on my iPhone. The new one I purchased in January is not my favorite. I’m ready to reply to your blog and just before I sent it, it suddenly disappears. Frustrating. I’m responding to you on my desk top computer.
Wanted to say I so enjoyed seeing Leonardos bedroom and your daughter’s interior design that she created for him. His room turned out so well, peaceful and calming, something Leo will be able to grow into. Smart! Alexandra is beautiful. When you future her again I would like to know the best ETSY shops to buy well made Vintage clothing or what shops are good ones. I love that vibe.
Your tulips with the eucalyptus look beautiful, a great idea. I purchased some white tulips for my Galentine’s Day luncheon that I hosted. One of my gal pals shared with me you take a straight pin right below the flower and put it through, that creates a longer life, supposed to bring more water to the tulip. Interesting, I did it and seemed to help.
I’m sorry you have had a rough week. A bad tooth ache is no fun. Oh no, your fur baby Chief not doing well, so sorry. They are a big part of our family. I hope your dear friend’s tumor is treatable. All of the above is HARD. Sending you a warm and caring gentle hug from Arizona because it’s a lot to process. We lost a family member this month it saddened our hearts. It happened on my husband’s birthday. It put a huge damper on his special day. We miss him dearly, for sure he is resting in Heaven.
You look so cute in your matinee pants, top, and sneaks. Very youthful.
Here’s to a better week.
Hi Mary Ann,
Great idea going to the movies…I noticed that the actor playing Heathcliff is up for the new James Bond role 007, exciting. I love your flower arrangement and you look darling in the blue outfit. Have a wonderful week!
You look very cute and comfortable in your movie matinee outfit. I’ve read Wuthering Heights as a teenager and seen a couple of different films of it over my 81 years. Is the new one really worth seeing? It is such a sad story. I get inspired by you as your coastal style is beautiful. I admit my Colorado mountain home isn’t quite coastal but my paint colors are. I wish I had Annie’s and your talent with flowers. I’m so looking forward to spring flowers!
I still love a print magazine and a paperback. I love to hold them versus a kindle. It’s nice a rainy or cold day to flip through some of your favourites or the latest arrival.
The part of your article on ceiling that make you look up interested me in that I have a cathedral ceiling in my living room but rarely look up, even though I have mounted an oversized chandelier. Any ideas that would not be over the top to address my ceiling? Beams would not suit my style and wallpaper in a living room would be too much. Hmmm
I hope you address that toothache soon. Poor Chief!
Did you see this post? https://classiccasualhome.com/creating-a-fresh-classic-neutral-living-room-in-a-two-story-space/ But it sounds like you did the right thing with statement lighting.
Mary Ann great ideas! I think travel inspires me hugely and of course blogs and magazines. I do save good magazines and have a few big piles! I am afraid they will one day go away.
Your outfit is adorable. Love the jeans and sneakers on you. Nothing like a matinee by yourself…and bringing your own chocolate chips. I need to do more of that. xo
I have noticed you’ve lost weight. You look great but I have to ask how did you do it? If you’ve talked about it before, let me know what issue and I’ll look it up. I do read all your wonderful weeklies but I might have missed one or two!
Thanks, Kandance as I put some more back on over the holidays….but I did stop baking and have been exercising more.
Ugh, I thought you were going to tell me about a magic pill that is side effect free! Well you look great (not that you didn’t before)!
Your hair looks great! How do you style it?
I put hot rollers in for a few seconds after it’s dry…sort of old fashioned I guess 🙂
Mary Ann! I love this post and your tulips with eucalyptus! It reminds me of this bouquet I saw at a beautiful coffee shop in Copenhagen, where they had a tall vase filled with tall stems of Billy Balls (Crespedia) mixed with various types of eucalyptus on the concrete counter. The Wall behind the florals was painted a dark navy half way up…I make that arrangement at least once every winter to place at the end of my coffee bar. So yes, I guess travel, flowers, and architecture all play a big part in inspiration!
Love your movie-going outfit! And that bucket bag!
xx
Wow…what striking inspiration, Annie.