Where I find my inspiration

by | Jun 17, 2016 | Art, Colour, Design, Inspiration | 0 comments

 

I find inspiration in so many places

 

It could be whilst travelling to other countries and admiring the gorgeous architecture in countries like Italy and France, just walking around beautiful suburbs (at home in Sydney, or abroad), seeing art in the wonderful galleries around the world (including Australia), walking around beautiful gardens, or spending time at design fairs.

I’m inspired by design books and magazines… and I – like so many of us – find Instagram very powerful.

I also find inspiration from flowers, from nature, forests and beaches… and of course, from all the beautiful fabrics I source. I love the combination of texture, colour, pattern and weave that makes up a fabric.

 

Most recently, I was inspired at the DEN Fair, which is an exclusive design trade event, showcasing Australian designers and manufacturers

 

I loved some of the lighting and furniture stands, specifically the Rakumba lighting based in Melbourne, and Lounge Designer Furniture’s beautiful sofas.

I’m doing a nursery for a family and I saw some gorgeous rugs specifically for children’s rooms. I was so inspired by the rugs I ended up specifying one of them for the nursery and my clients absolutely loved it.

I also saw lighting, which I have specified for one of my client’s kitchen.

It’s the textures and materials that I find so inspiring- when I see a beautiful piece I just start imaging how I can use it, for which clients, and in which room of their house or office.

As soon as I feel inspired, whether it’s while walking through a fair, a garden, a gallery or museum, or while flicking through a beautiful magazine, or sometimes (as is often the case) in those spaces in between when I’m just drinking coffee or relaxing, I write down what’s inspired me in a notebook I keep close to me. I may also start looking for fabric, or some other element I can include in a client’s project.

 

3 close up images of flowers, feathers and a blanket

 

When inspiration finds you, my best tip is to write it down, go out and source the inspiration, or begin drawing or sketching a design

 

If I’m ever feeling creatively blocked, I stop what I am doing and change tactics.

This might mean I look at the design from another perspective. I may look through different books and new magazines. Sometimes starting in a different place helps too, so I may even begin a design with the fabrics, or finishes, such as the tiles, and then develop the furniture or floor layout.

 

When it comes to finding inspiration, don’t overthink it; let the design flow organically

 

Don’t put pressure on yourself as this blocks creative energy.

I have been known to turn on the light in the middle of the night to write my thoughts down.

Pay attention to detail and your surroundings…

And when your muse comes (and she will), honour her, write it down, and start your design.

 

An invitation to collaborate

Contact our Studio to discuss your project.

Stephanie Nadel

Assosciate Interior Architect

What makes Stephanie Nadel’s success story so remarkable is that she has come so far, so fast.
Stephanie, the Associate Interior Architect at Marylou Sobel Interior Design, has gained more experience, and handled more responsibilities in the past ten years than many other design professionals take on in their careers.

Stephanie, a multi-talented full service professional, carried out a wide variety of commercial and residential design tasks while she was based in London. She worked for three prominent interior design firms, as well as on her own, and served clients around the world.

In the process, she helped complete within 12 weeks the design and installation of a penthouse suite on The World, the luxury residential yacht that circumnavigates the globe. Prior to this Stephanie lead the full refurbishment of a lavish, Grade II listed, five bedroom home in the Hampstead Garden suburbs in London.

During her five years in London, she worked with Gensler, the world’s largest collaborative design, planning and consulting firm; MoreySmith, a leading design and architecture studio, and Fiona Barratt Interiors, an award-winning luxury design firm.

Assisting with projects for those firms, launching her own residential practice, and interacting with vendors worldwide provided her with project management, creative problem solving, sourcing, technical and other skills that benefit her clients today.

Stephanie earned her Bachelor of Interior Architecture degree at the University of New South Wales.

While she is adept in several aspects of design, she’s particularly interested in the challenge of refurbishing existing spaces. “I enjoy the problem solving that’s involved with existing buildings,” she says. “Although it is always a privilege to design alongside a team to create new and innovative structures, I love creating meaningful design from older properties and taking inspiration from heritage details.”

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

JOIN OUR DESIGN TRIBE

And receive our fortnightly newsletter.

Downloaded 'Perfect Paint Colours' guide

You have Successfully Subscribed!