I am often asked, “how do you come up with a design idea for a client”? This is a great question, but the process is different with each person I work with! Knowing where to start can sometimes be challenging, but some of the best design inspirations come from a single element. Here are five sources of inspiration for design.

According to the Humane Society, 164 million (or 62%) of American households have pets. If your favorite sofa has suffered the indignity of cat scratches or if the gouges on your hardwood floor indicate that it is the runway of choice for man’s best friend, don’t despair. Following are some tips to help you decorate with pets in mind.

Our pets are members of our families, and we want them to have cozy accommodations in our homes . . . but without overrunning the house!

I am inspired to design for people who like to take care of their family and friends, and who love to live in their homes. One of my theories is that you deserve to live comfortably in your home. This could mean just admitting that you like eating in your living room. Or that you simply hate using coasters. And if that be the case, maybe a pristine wood table isn’t for you. And that’s okay! Because you deserve to live naturally in your own home.

There’s something very special about people who love bold colors. I suggested Robe and Kris use a granite countertop detailed with incredible, golds, copper, black and purples for drama. The granite became the starting piece for the colors of the whole room. It led me to the burnished gold hardware pieces and the purple accents throughout.

The most important elements the clients wanted to incorporate into their new home were the art and textiles they gathered on their many travels. They aren’t afraid of color or patterns, and they were ready to make some major changes to their home to suit their needs. My goal was to create a space that is as exciting and unique as they are!

Kim and Jeff had an outdated kitchen. It was from 1982 and had been only cosmetically updated once in that time. When asked about what she didn’t like about her kitchen before, Kim stated, “It was just ugly.”

Homes are not just buildings that we live inside. They are a part of us. Who we are and our self-expression. One beautiful, wonderful thing about the interior design industry is how clients and designers form a bond and really get to understand one another.