We all love Instagram and Pinterest for visual content, but IMO, sometimes they’re repetitive and bland. Check out below, because now is the perfect time to find out my top 10 unexpected places that Interior Designers find inspiration!!
TRAVEL
OK, I know! It seems obvious, Travel is not just the best form of Education, it is also the BEST to find inspiration! It is definitely my number one “unexpected” place! Everything from the culture and architecture, to people and food – holy moly!! There is nothing like Travel to inspire and delight! Don’t like to fly?? Then do some armchair travel with awesome documentaries, shows and books on fabulous, exotic places. You’re sure to find inspiration!
Vancouver’s beautiful Lions Gate Bridge
TRADE SHOWS
Cities like Milan (Salone Internazionale del Mobile), and Paris (Maison & Objet), Atlanta (Atlanta Market), Toronto & Vancouver IDS (Interior Design Show), offer in person, the newest, latest and greatest in Home Furnishings and Home Decor. Check out my post here, where I talk about my amazing experience travelling to Milan for the HOMI Milano Trade Show. These shows are open to the public, but tickets are required and, only on certain days…
A pic from my visit to HOMI Milano.
GREAT OUTDOORS
If you know me, you’ll know that I love the great outdoors. From a young age, my parents got my sister and I out into nature. We were fortunate to experience beautiful provincial parks, natural landscapes, mountains, seascapes, forests and beaches! Truly, there is nothing like being out in Mother Nature to see the beauty, revel in the design, and marvel at the Creation that we call Earth! Here is one of my favourite campgrounds.
MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES
Museums and Art Galleries are an excellent source of inspiration. I have a membership at the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG), and I love going there and checking out all the amazing exhibitions! Vancouver has both permanent and feature exhibitions that run throughout the year. The building itself is very cool, and I always make sure to drop in to the Gift Store afterwards 😉
Vancouver Art Gallery –
Visit local museums, and when on holidays, visit others to be transported into other worlds, time and space! I love Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology for an absolutely incredible display and array of Indigenous work, below. So good!
ANTIQUE & VINTAGE GOODS
You knew it was coming, right?! We shop in person, online, or from magazines- and one thing is certain, the character, charm and patina of antiques and vintages is incredibly inspiring. WHY? Because, there is history, and uniqueness, endearing quality of craft, and timelessness of design. We go back, again and again! History continues to amaze and inspire.
If you like to shop online, check out 1st Dibs and Chairish for tons of inspiration. Additionally, view Instagram, FB Marketplace, Etsy, and your neighbourhood shops. You can also check out my blog on Top 5 Reasons to source vintage!
NETFLIX (TV/MOVIES)
No surprise here! I mean, have you watched Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Emily in Paris, or Dream Home Makeover?! Some major, major design inspiration is found in the set design and wardrobe! Anyone a fan of Nancy Meyers? She is in a league of her own- literally the queen of home for movies!
Pic from The Intern by Nancy Meyers
MAGAZINES!!
So call me old school! Haha! I have collected and perused hardcopy magazines for decades! You probably have too! But seriously, who doesn’t love a good Before/After? Magazines have always provided beautiful, personal spaces, inspired design and a bevvy of design aesthetic to choose from! Who doesn’t love those crazy 80’s design features?! Anyway, some of my current faves include Canada’s Style at Home, Western Living, Arch Digest, Dwell, and Canadian House and Home. At various times, I’ve had subscriptions to all of these! But full disclosure, I view these mags online now. Wah, wah, wahhh…
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BOOKS
As a result of all of the time we had to spend indoors in the last couple of years, I have seriously enlarged my personal library of Design Books. I not only source books new, but I have an avid curiosity of architectural and design tomes. So much fun when you find a large volume of something that still has relevance today in Design.
Also, Books are great for styling, offer lots of choices in colour and size, are easily affordable and reading makes ya smarter, right?! Some new additions for me include: S is for Style by Dara Caponigro, Sophisticated Simplicity by Suzanne Kasler, In Color by Tori Burch, and the very popular Every Room Should Sing by Beata Heuman.
WORKSHOPS/CREATOR CLASSES
Surprise? Sometimes all we need is a local class at the Community Center or a series of classes in a workshop to fire up those inspiration juices. I have happily persuaded my kids to forgo presents at Christmas and give ‘experiences’ instead. This is still a gift, but obviously, experiential. So, this past Christmas, one of my boys gave me a Stained Glass workshop to do with him! This was heaps of fun, got us out into the community, and opened the doors for those design vibes. I highly recommend it.
One of my own personal hobbies is ceramics. Over the years, I have signed up for regular pottery classes, or most recently, buy time in a studio. As ceramics and pottery have always been a personal interest to me – I get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from spending 3 hours throwing on a wheel!
ARTISAN MARKETS
Who doesn’t love a great market? Call me slightly obsessed! 🙂 I really love meeting people, going to various venues, looking at handmade and locally produced wares. Always have! There is something both sacred and simple in the person with their craft. I enjoy not only local markets, but also the pop ups and seasonal markets. Give me a Christmas Craft Market, or Trunk and Pasture Market any day of the week! Love looking, and idling… For me, part of it is the thrill of the hunt. I really never know what I’m gonna find- and I am ALWAYS looking for something special!
This is Squamish’s Bespoke Market held at the Railway Museum!
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And that’s a wrap! Hopefully you found my Top 10 unexpected places that Interior Designers find inspiration, a little bit fun! Please be sure to reach out if you would like to arrange a personal consultation. It’s the best way to connect!
