So yes, we are all spending a lot of time at home these days, and maybe our bedrooms have become our multi purpose office/ yoga space/ netflix binging location?!
Well it might be the perfect time to make some easy changes to revamp your bedroom for a quick upgrade. Head over to the Redfin blog to read some of my tips on how to take your bedroom escape to the next level with just a few fixes. Lots of great tips here!
Beige seems to be making a comeback if you will. It wasn’t so long ago that every design neutral was grey, cool grey or warm grey. Now though, the ubiquitous grey tones have been replaced with earthy sandy colors harkening back to a simple earthy vibe. Maybe its because we are all spending so much time at home these days and for the foreseeable future. Yearning for the simplicity of nature and to create a calming respite from the chaos that exists outside our front door.
I see it with myself, paring down every table scape and shelfie to a calm, warm neutral palette. Pulling back loud patterns and rich colors. I am gravitating to whites, beiges, browns, terracotta, rose, clay colors. And I find myself wondering why. There is a purity in these colors, a feeling of going back to the basics and to the foundation of color and texture. I want my eye to rest when I am home and I am finding my clients often feel the same. Right now we are in such a state to overstimulation I am craving a palette of calm and I think we find it in the colors and textures that lead us back to the earth, back to basics.
We are living through some strange times. The waves of change every day seem more poignant then they do during most other times. Not much else to do, but ride them and see where we go. I have been thinking a lot about creativity during this time- as a creative, as an entrepreneur, as a business owner. How do we stay motivated to create in times that we may not find to be overly inspiring.
Inspiration in general is a question I am asked about often, how do I find inspiration and how do I stay inspired. During “normal times” I would give my usual answer of travel, books, fashion. Travel always being the first. I feel most inspired in new lands, with new smells, unexpected vistas, researching local traditions and customs and architecture. So how to maintain or reach for this same level of inspiration when we are unable to travel? When we are “sheltered in place” for long periods and still desiring to create but may feel stuck. What wells do we draw on to keep this flow moving?
I have found that some people are feeling less creative while others have creativity in abundance during this time. For me I feel the ebb and flow (as is my usual nature) strongly. I move back and forth between feeling wholly inspired to produce, to make, to get things out of my mind to just wanting to be in the moment and sitting deeply Into my presence, but even in those times ideas seem to come and internally scream at me to be released through some creative form.
So how to move above the chaos of the times that we are living in and cultivate the deeply human need that we all have to create?
Look with fresh eyes
This may be the most difficult thing to try. My boyfriend and I kept talking about how everyday can feel like Groundhog Day. So how can we take this experience of being in the same four walls, walking the same outdoor paths (if you are lucky enough to have outdoor paths) and meandering the same streets for days on end but look with fresh eyes? I have found that working in a new spot in the house, sitting in a different place in my yard or looking at a new view on my morning runs can elicit an entirely new set of emotions and inspirations. Its the same reason that travel inspires us so much, seeing a new perspective triggers the flame of creation inside us, jolts a memory, a desire and can be the jumping off point for a project.
Realizing that everyday is a new opportunity
There a Buddhist prayer on mindfulness that I read every morning before my meditation it begins with the following lines
Waking up this morning I smile
I have twenty-four hours to live
I vow to live them deeply
It is a reminder to yourself that although we are living in this usual space of time it is also an immense gift and we have the opportunity to do anything we want with the time. Although the feelings of “Groundhog Day” may persist, reminding yourself that this day is a gift is a great way to stay on course and remain motivated to create the best work that you can and make the most of this twenty four hours. Each day we have the opportunity to create beauty through our work, through our actions and through our words.
Being comfortable with change/ Being resilient in the face of unknown
The only constant is change and in this time more than any that we have lived through is a reminder that that is so. I find being present now more than ever instead of looking back or looking forward helps me to stay grounded in my space as a creative. At my core that is what I am and that is the place that I draw my strength, solve problems and create meaning. Staying present and being comfortable with whatever the future may hold allows more space for creativity to grow. Worrying about what you can’t control only diminishes your creative powers and puts energy into a space that doesn’t help you, your clients or your business.
Finding rituals that feed creativity
This is about tapping into your inner knowing and going forth with a curious mind if you are not yet sure what rituals feed your creative energy. Its different for everybody, but for me moving my body early in the morning is where a lot of my creative ideas flow. Many times I will stop in the middle of my run at dawn and sit on the side of the road typing out ideas that are flowing in my mind into my phone. Getting centered and clear during my morning meditation allows space for ideas to thrive. Having clear “On” and “Off” times are also important elements for me to feed my creativity. I need space of quiet and non creation for the ideas to form and grow and then clear time to turn on and do the work. Setting these boundaries is vital for a creative to produce. Being in tuned with when ideas come to you will help to carve out time for these rituals and is especially important during these turbulent times. Prioritizing these rituals will help cultivate creativity as well as giving additional structure to your days.
Being open for creativity to strike
Its vital that we see and follow the flow of creativity when it comes. One of my favorite books on creative living is Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” she speaks eloquently at length about being a receptive vessel for creative ideas. Pick up the book, she will explain it better than I can. But basically the idea that we have to make being creative a priority in our lives and be open enough to receive that which is calling to inspire us. During this time its important not to be sidetracked by outside noise that can throw us off course emotionally and closes us off to creative opportunity that may strike. Being purposeful in being open to what may be trying to speak to you is incredibly difficult right now with so much going on externally, but vital if we want to continue that which we do.
What you surrounds yourself with effects your creative potential
Its vital that we are informed citizens. Closing your eyes to the plight of the world, to your neighbors and your community is a disservice to yourself and your potential impact. However inundating yourself with non stop news, social media and creating an information overload cycle only keeps you focused on the unknown potential future and allows you to avoid your current reality (and trust me this is coming from a news junkie ). Limit your media intake- maybe check it out in the morning and the evening- but then focus on the present. Be conscious of your current space and how you can create a space of positivity, productivity and creativity. Consider this with the people you surround yourself with (on zoom or through social distancing of course) as well. Yes, things are crazy and turbulent, but only focusing on the negative aspects and the what-ifs will do little to help you push through into a place of inspiration and creation.
Energy creates energy
This has been my mantra in life for many years, but it seems especially true these days. Whatever energy you put into the world it will come back to you. Running hard and fast, makes you want to continue to run hard and fast. Creating every day will make you want to create every day. Waking up early makes you want to continue waking up early. Find your energy center and continue to feed that place to create that which you desire. Energy creates energy.
The latest and greatest from one of my favorite designers Kelly Wearstler. Of course I had to come up with an excuse to go visit and stay in the new Proper Santa Monica Hotel, a meeting in Santa Monica gave me the perfect reason to escape!
The whole space is beautifully curated and feels at once luxe, but attainable. Otherworldly sculptural furniture elements mix with natural, simple materials making for a dynamic and eye pleasing combination. I spent more time then I want to admit walking through the lobby and restaurant taking in the wood and upholstery choices and eyeing each light fixture and hard surface choice. It feels both wild and restrained which is a difficult combination to reach.
While The Proper San Francisco is a whirlwind of pattern and color choices, with jewel tones and blacks contrasting each other, The Proper Santa Monica feels quieter, simpler. You can feel the inspiration of nature, beach sands and organic materials guiding each choice. The underlying vibe is still sexy and sleek, but with a different note this time.
After dinner and a beach walk, I found myself back in my room excavating each surface and material choice. Wide plank light oak floors lay the natural palette while each furniture item is curved, no right angles in sight. An interesting choice, but something I have seen recently trending in furniture styles- more curves and soft lines than ever before. This sets an unconsciously soft and soothing sense to the space. The oversized, half moon shaped upholstered headboard makes you feel secluded and encapsulated in softness. The quality of all the materials is obvious and felt throughout- solid woods, rich wools, simple linens.
Overall I loved my stay, and felt comfortable and relaxed. The environment was perfect for a quick working getaway and reminded me once again of the power of a beautiful interior. The impacts of beautiful spaces are so profound and can trigger inspiration when you least expect it. Thanks Kelly for another beautiful space to inspire!
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One of my favorite parts of traveling is seeing how people live, what their homes and furniture look like and how it can inspire my own work and perspective. It doesn’t take much to bring me over to the laid back island style, but 2 weeks of island hopping in Tahiti with the hot, moist air that smelled like vanilla everywhere we went and the vivid colors all around made it that much more enticing.
It seemed like the water was bluer (it really is), the trees were greener and the flowers more fragrant. There is a vitality that is richer and tangible. I am usually a sucker for neutrals- I love my whites more than anyone (white on white on white always wins in my book) but spending 3 weeks hopping from island to island I grew a newfound love for color. In one of the hotels we stayed the beds were dressed in bright coral linen that paired with the simple wooden furniture, banana leaf roof and shell chandeliers created a laid back, nature inspired appeal.
Interior design in Tahiti is largely driven by the local resources. Furniture and decor is all imported and high import tax make even the most attainable items expensive. I was struck by the ingenuity of the locals and how certain natural resources were used in such thoughtful and interesting ways. Banana’s are an essential part of the Tahitian diet, but the leaves are also used for the underside of many of the ceilings of bungalows that we stayed in. I even found myself hiding under a banana leaf tree during a sudden down pour during my daily jog, and did not get wet at all! Those banana leaf plants are incredible.
Being a California girl I thought I knew all about indoor/ outdoor living, but the Tahitian’s are truly one with their environment. There are no screens on windows, doors are always wide open and very little time besides to sleep is spent indoors. I didn’t watch tv or sit on a sofa for 3 weeks and this is typical for the Tahitian lifestyle. Time is spent around large dining tables enjoying conversation and shared meals. The nightly sunrise was an important occasion where it seemed like everyone stopped what they were doing to watch it until it dipped away. It was a truly spiritual experience to paddle out into that blue water and sit on my board watching the sun dropping and the amazing colors it spilled across the sky while behind me the sacred green island covered in green trees rose up. It was like being in the most beautiful painting every night.
Whenever I travel I immediately start thinking about how i would design a house and Tahiti is no different. Check out my pinterest for some of my favorite Tahitian inspired home decor and I have rounded up a selection below.
1/ plant 2/ sofa 3/ accent chair 4/ side table 5/ coffee table 6/ dining chair 7/ rug 8/ pillow 9/ pillow 10/ bolster 11/ chandelier 12/ dining table
So exciting! Check out the latest issue of Modern Farmhouse on stands now to see the stunning 6 page spread of a beautiful kitchen remodel that we contributed to. The truth is great designs are usually due to a great home owner and this project was no exception. This project came out so beautifully because Lisa has amazing personal style and had a very clear vision of what she wanted for her home and it is truly a reflection of her.
This particular project was so awesome because so many talented people were part of it! See all the details here
planter, stool, armchair, rug, peacock sofa, umbrella, bathing beauty
Warmer weather and my last house project to complete (my deck!) has me thinking about natural colors and textures. I love playing with the natural landscape as inspiration and pulling from it to create the color palette for my designs.
People often thing that going monochromatic is boring or flat, but by mixing texture and material you can really create an interesting mix that is very appealing to the eye. I am playing with the idea of this 70's peacock sofa, rattan chair and natural turkish rug for my outdoor patio...
BTW the armchair and the stool are steal of the century from Target!