Where do you get your inspiration from?

They say there is no such thing as a new idea, it is merely that the idea is transmuted into someone’s else’s interpretation and imagination. Artists are inspired by other artists, often artists that have long since gone.  Architects are inspired by other architects and designers like me are inspired by almost anything.

Inspiration comes from everywhere; an amazing sunset can conjure up a colour scheme for a kid’s bedroom; a tree with varying colours of green can give inspiration for an entire house.  The shadows on brickwork can inspire a tile pattern in a bathroom.  It just goes on.  But what really does help with imagination and reimagination is learning about other artisans and other cultures from around the world.

Design is in part governed by the social and political happenings in the world.  Take, for example, art deco, one of the enduring and most-loved eras in design, that emanated from people’s desire to break free from the restraints and fussiness of Victorian and Edwardian furniture, fashion and architecture. The Bauhaus movement, that preceded art deco was the dramatic departure from all constraints and is the basis for inspiration in designers and architects to this very day.

When I travel, I seek out examples of architects’ and designers’ work all over the world, almost dissecting their work to understand their inspiration and rationale.  By learning, reading and visiting sites inspiration comes forth because this practice expands the thoughts and ideas to be translated into what can become the kernel of a new design project.  It is all terribly exciting!