INSPIRATIONS
“There’s only one thing in life, and that’s the continual renewal of inspiration.”
- Diana Vreeland
Here are some of my design inspirations. Click on the images below to learn about them and the projects they inspired.
I’ve always loved the modern and luxurious interiors designed by Jean-Michel Frank. The rich woods, composed color palette and tailored lines of the furnishings are truly the definition to me of the “modern traditional” aesthetic. His work inspired my design for the Modernist Penthouse.
My young client was obsessed by the Minecraft computer game. It was a fun challenge to create a space for him that mixed the vivid quality of the game with the classic architecture of his home. This iconic “Creeper” image was my inspiration. Using its signature Kelly Green color for the expansive area rug first, I then added modern, geometric pops of blues and greens against the crisp white walls of his bedroom within the Painted Brick Georgian Home.
This is the Hotel Gritti Palace bar – being there is like sitting in a box of jewels. The sconces, lamps and even the bottle stoppers are Murano glass. Took this shot at the bar and it inspired the Historic Townhouse Dining Room.
From the outside, the Berkeley seduces you with traditional charm so it was a thrill to discover the sleek design of The Blue Bar inside. I love how the classical architectural elements are modernized with high gloss paint. My client’s desire for steely blue and a fresh take on her formal home immediately made me think of this space as inspiration for the Formal Round Hill Compound, Living Room.
Italians are not afraid of using color – saw these horizontal, graphic stripes running across the beach cabanas, at Hotel Augustus Lido, Forte dei Marmi, Italy. So chic – they inspired the Lake Avenue, Family Room.
I’ve always loved the colorful, graphic quality of candy – I saw these candy sticks at Dylan’s Candy Bar in NYC. The crispness of color mixed with the white stripes is so satisfying. When my client talked about her favorite colors and wanting her room to be fresh – I immediately thought of this candy! It inspired the Sound View Estate, Girl’s Room.
Le Sirenuse, Positano – the entire hotel is like Heaven. Shot this on the dining terrace. I love the mix of turquoise and the deep pink Bougainvillea against the crisp white walls. This color was an obsession for awhile, and I incorporated it into the French Style Estate, Bedroom.
Classic, but so modern with the large gilded letters on each shelf. I love the mix of browns and blacks – just gorgeous. Shot this photo at Trinity College’s Library in Dublin, Ireland and it inspired the Oceania Cruises Owner’s Suites, Living Room.
The late, great Bill Blass designed this bedroom for his country home in New Preston, CT. To this day, it feels modern, crisp, and beautifully finished. His use of chocolate and white contrast paint brilliantly highlights the dramatic molding and inspired my design for the historic Connecticut Governor’s Mansion, Living Room.
I have a not-so-secret love of stripes and my heart nearly burst when I saw the cover art for the MoMA show, “Color Chart: Reinventing Color 1950-Today.” The palette is so joyful and fun – exactly the vibe I wanted in the Country Estate, Upstairs Hallway.
The beach at Positano is so much fun. I love the rhythm of colorful stripes – in the fencing, umbrellas and signage. My love of stripes inspired my Classic Connecticut Farmhouse, Home Office.
Visited the Hotel Zur Tenne, in Kitzbuhel, Austria. How cool are the elevator doors …. I love anything Tyrolean and the warm textures and woods inspired the Mountain Ski Retreat bedroom.
These are vintage goatskin vellum barware pieces sold by my friend Dallas. Everything he finds and sells is amazing and always inspiring.
I was struck by the pretty and tranquil combination of aqua and pink on this Naples, FL garage. I used this color combination to soften the bold furniture use in the French Style Estate, Girl’s Room.
