Inspirations...
Originally Published Nov. 1, 2015
Once you start down that road of entrepreneurship the main thing consistently in the forefront of the mind is marketing yourself. I’m always thinking about how I can promote myself and showcase my eclectic design style as well as the variety of people, places and things that inspire me as a creative person and interior designer. Of course the best and most personal way is through my website because those are my creations and the rooms in my portfolio are ones that I have designed, styled and decorated. However, building that portfolio takes time and since the projects I am currently working on will not see the pages of my website for a few months still, I’ve been thinking about how to keep my website fresh and new and more importantly, how to show the world more of who I am as a designer...right now! Obviously the best way to do things in an instant and on a global scale is through social media. So, this blog post will be devoted to the rooms, designs and various things I love, pin, and post everyday on-line because all of that is what inspires me.
I don’t know about you but I take pinning pretty seriously. Before I press the Pin it button I ask myself three questions: "Could I live in this room?" "Would I have designed the room this way?" "What would I change about this room (if anything)?" Usually if there is more than one thing I’d change, I won’t pin it. I ask myself these questions because even though the rooms I pin are not my designs, they are still a reflection of my style, taste and aesthetics. Look at it this way, if a potential client goes to my Pinterest page to peruse my boards in order to see what toots my horn as a designer, I had better be showing rooms I absolutely love and would create!
Unlike most people I don't name my Pinterest boards according to the room such as Living Rooms, Bathrooms or Kitchens. I, on the other hand, name my boards according to what I think of when I see the room or how it makes me feel. The following photos are from the Pinterest board I named White, Black and Gray (basically neutral colors).
*Click on the words {photo link} in order to go to the photo source page. Top Left: Unable to find a source for this photo. Top Right: Photo link Bottom Left: Photo link Bottom Right: Photo link
Top Left: Photo Link Top Right: Photo Link Bottom Left: Photo Link Bottom Right: Photo Link
These photos are from my Vignette board. A vignette in interior design means a collection of various items arranged and displayed in a small area. I love vignettes! In my opinion, how they are styled can make or break a room! Take a look at some of my favorites.
Top Leftt: Photo Link Top Right: Photo Link Bottom Left: Photo Link Bottom Right: Photo Link
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The two photos below are from the board I named Shapes and Patterns.
Just an FYI... I absolutely love Moroccan Pouffes (the leather decorative ottomans in the photo on the right), they come in many different designs and materials. Left: Photo Link Right: Photo Link
I'm a sucker for a room with exposed brick as well as the distressed and industrial look. The photos below are from my board named Exposed Brick.
The top left picture is one of my favorites! I must say though that I would personally add one or two of the Moroccan pouffes on the right side of the coffee table for extra seating and visual interest. That addition would make the room perfect!! Top Left: Photo Link Top Right: Photo Link Bottom Left: Photo Link Bottom Right: Photo Link
These are from my Eclectic board.
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Instagram is awesome for the visually creative person. The photos I post on Instagram inspire me as well but it's different than Pinterest. On Pinterest I focus on interior design, furniture and decor. On Instagram I post whatever is happening at the moment or whatever reflects my current mood. For example these photos I posted over Halloween weekend. On Saturday I woke up in a dark room kind of mood so I posted these beautiful dark rooms from my White, Black and Gray Pinterest board. The two bottom photos I posted on Sunday, the day after Halloween. I definitely woke up in a more colorful mood! I guess it was from seeing all the Halloween candies and wrappers from the day before.
Top Left: Credit- Graham Atkins Hughes Top Right: Designer Abigail Ahern Bottom Left: Artist Markus Linnenbrink Bottom Right: FAILE-Brooklyn Museum Exhibit
Most of the photos I post on Instagram I've taken myself. If I get the photo from the internet I always explain where it's from and give credit where it is due. So...this blog post is just a very small taste of the vast amount of people, places and things that inspire me. To see more of my designs go to my Home Page and Portfolio here on my website. To see more of my boards and inspirations click on the links below and follow me on Instagram and Pinterest! Oh, and don't forget to subscribe to my blog too. Sorry for the shameless plug folks but if I don't promote myself, who will? ...the hustle is real ; )
"I'm following my girl Helen"
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