It’s no surprise that designers are visual people, which is why they often look to the world around them for design inspiration. From old photographs to runway trends, inspiration is everywhere we turn.
Here Sharon Grech, Benjamin Moore colour and design expert, shares her top tips for finding ideas.
From haute couture to home couture. Every season we look forward to seeing the latest fashions hit runways across the world, and while they may not always be practical for the average person, they certainly play a role in influencing our personal style. “Fashion and design trends are very heavily influenced by one another,” says Grech. “The runway is a great place to look for inspiration — keep your eyes open for colours and patterns that inspire you.”
Trendsetting milestones. Each year, key brands share colour trend forecasts that will shape everything from social media to politics. When it comes your interior décor, knowing this information can help you as you choose the colour palette for your walls, fabrics and more.
For 2019, Benjamin Moore is selecting Metropolitan AF-690, a stylish grey with cool undertones, as the 2019 Colour of the Year. “After a year-long research journey to various cities across the world and a dedicated team of colour and design experts who attend industry shows, inspiration comes from various places, from architecture and pop culture to fashion, home furnishings and more,” explains Grech.
Look beyond the lens. When was the last time you flipped through your photo archives? Photographs capture details that are often forgotten over time, which can be a great place to start when looking for inspiration. “I often review my travel photos for colour and pattern cues that speak to me,” says Grech. “Something that strikes your eye behind the camera today may inspire an entire room concept tomorrow.”
Grab your glossies. Magazines and newspapers are an incredible resource for home décor inspiration. They offer a wide range of different styles and design ideas that you may never have considered exploring. “Keep a collection of home décor magazines on hand, or pull out pages with vignettes you like,” says Grech. “Start your next design project by going through past issues and revisiting what you’ve saved.”
Design your digital dream house. We’re heavily influenced by trends on social media. Whether you prefer Instagram or Pinterest, both are very visual social platforms. “I personally love Instagram. It’s such a great place to turn to because you never know what you may stumble on, from food to fashion, and how it could inspire you.”
Find more ideas for your next project at benjaminmoore.ca.