Inspiration by way of Instagram

Being inspired is very important to me.  Inspiration is what motivates me to accomplish any and every thing.  Inspiration helps me operate this blog.  It helps me develop new design ideas.  It is why my notebooks are filled with doodles of ideas for furniture and fabric.  Frequently, I look at something that was designed for one purpose and it inspires me to incorporate something from it into a design for something with an altogether different purpose.  I once heard that to be inspired was to be “in spirit” with God.  I can believe it. When I am inspired, my heart feels full and expansive; I feel capable and imaginative.  For me inspiration shows up in many forms. I am as inspired learning about and being surrounded by people who have achieved great things and those who press on with joy and hope in the face of overwhelming odds as I am by architecture, nature, poetry, literature and art.  I love to visit places that inspire me, as well as be in the company of those who inspire me but when I am not able to do that, there is one tool that is my go-to for inspiration and that tool is Instagram.

Instagram is my favorite social media app.  It is a place I look to discover new fashion trends, interior designer projects, artist exhibitions and so forth.  It has allowed me to discover many new to me designers, artists, creatives and makers.  My network is ever growing and expanding because as I follow new creatives, I learn of other creatives and the circle grows and grows.  My favorite Instagram accounts are the artists.  I have discovered the work of so many talented artists while using the app and have even had the opportunity to experience some of their work in real life.  If you are looking for inspiration, check out a few of the accounts below!

Sculpture by Daniel Arsham
Photo via @danielarsham Instagram account

#thebeachDC art installation by Daniel Arsham
Photo via @danielarsham Instagram account

Art by Kwangho Shin
Photo via @shinkwangho329 Instagram account

Art by James Verbicky
Photo via @dtrmodern Instagram account

Shattered glass human sculpture by Daniel Arsham
Photo via @danielarsham Instagram account

Shattered glass human sculpture by Daniel Arsham
Photo via @danielarsham Instagram account

Art installation by Daniel Arsham
Photo via @danielarsham Instagram account

Art by Kwangho Shin
Photo via @shinkwangho329 Instagram account

Art by Cesar Biojo
Photo via @cesarbiojo Instagram account

Art by Cesar Biojo
Photo via @cesarbiojo Instagram account

Art by James Verbicky (@jamesverbicky)
Photo via @dtrmodern Instagram account

Art At Home

Last week, I spent a few hours at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.  I love going to museums! I find so much inspiration!  It is a reminder that we all can make contributions to this world; positive contributions that will leave the world better than we found it.

Art is a very personal thing and people respond to it in different ways.  I typically prefer abstract and modern art, while others prefer portraiture or landscapes.  Some clients don’t mind when I select the art, while others prefer to select their art themselves so each piece has a story.  There is no right or wrong way to go about acquiring or decorating with art.  On many occasions I’ve been hired to help clients that own a lot of art and not a lot of wall space, determine which pieces to hang.  Below are a few of my tips…

1.  Hang art that is deeply personal to you.  Art that invokes a special childhood or adulthood memory, a photo from a family barbecue or a wedding day portrait or a landscape from a vacation can help to inspire happiness and create more of the same energy that was captured at the moment the photo was taken. 

Photo via HousetoHome.co.uk

2.  Select art that ties a room together.  This type of art should give the space a theme.  The theme can be around content or color. 

Photo via ChelleAlbert.com

3.  If you are creating a gallery wall and the space already has a lot to catch the eye, stick with frames that are similar in size and finish.  If the space is relatively neutral, play it up a bit with frames of different finishes and size. 

 

Photo via MandarinaStudio.net

4.  Don’t be afraid to create and display your own art.  The fun is in the doing but it is equally as satisfying to display your own work amongst those of real artists. 

Photo via TameraMagel.com

5.  There are many different art forms.  Don’t be afraid to explore and mix and match multiple forms and styles.  

Photo via KristenBuckingham.com