SET ADRIFT FOR SUMMER

As with many of you, I'm in the process of getting inspired for SUMMER! For starters this year, I found a beautiful image and inspiration from island girl India Hicks - along with some tips she shares at India Hicks - Guide To Summer. The image reminded me of some of the images I've captured during some of our trips in South Florida: to the West Coast, to Key West, to Key Largo and even to up north in St. Augustine. This year, as I transition from spring to summer, I'm inspired more and more by coastal island style. It's definitely more in sync with the tropical place I live in, as well as the nearby islands of the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Here's some of my inspirations for summer...

India Hicks - Island Girl Style.

Turquoise blue water of a recent visit to nearby Hollywood Beach.

Images of driftwood I captured on the West Coast on Marco Island.

Turquoise blue water of Hollywood Beach.

Various shades of blue in home textiles I have, like this throw.

Target's Calypso ad is a wonderful inspiration.

The green & turquoise of the Calypso glasses.

Shades of turquoise and prints from my summer maxi dresses.

A previous coastal tablescape I set last year.

Turquoise blue of water in the Keys, paired with white.

Images of Mediterranea homes from my Casa Mediterranea book.

Clippings I've collected from various shelter magazines.

The displaying collections of natural elements I've collected from our trips.

Mixing and layering patterns and woven textiles.

Experimenting with blue and lime combinations, as well as a paint finish on the wall.

Ombre colors of skirt could work to transition the wall from a solid green...

Maintaining hints of green in the dining space will relate to the green

in the living room, with another inspirational image

 I spotted of India Hicks.

But like a rubber band, I usually snap back to being

passionate of being surrounded with

turquoise blues in the summer...

India Hicks with her family in the Bahamas.

India Hicks in the Bahamas.

My image from the West Coast.

Although it was overcast the day I shot this, editing its saturation over on Picnik

helped intensify the turquoise blue water...

I've always wanted to enlarge this and frame it...

Maybe this year I will.

LOVE the organic texture...



What inspires you for Summer?

London Calling feature from Metropolitan Home

Photo by David Garcia as featured in Metropolitan Home

Home Decorating: Met Home of the Month for December 2009

Although I too am saddened by the departure of yet another fabulous design publication (Metropolitan Home), I was excited to see a feature done on another one of my inspirational designer icons: Kelly Hoppen. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this talented designer. She has been a SERIOUS influence and inspiration to how I have executed our homes style. Part of the influence is the "order" she gives to a home with its beautiful displays and coordinating flow. After working as a Visual Merchandising Coordinator/Director in Retail as long as I have (26 years) it was always a joy to come "home" to simple order.

(LEFT) Kelly Hoppen Home: From Concept To Reality

NYCLQ's Home posted as Cash Cab on HGTV's Rate My Space(RIGHT)

One of the many installations I'm most proud of of our home, was a post I had made on HGTV's Rate My Space: Cash Cab and Cash Cab Remix. Although the original inspiration came from a photo my husband had taken in NYC, I did "gather" inspiration from books and magazines. One of which was Kelly Hoppen HOME: from Concept To Reality.

As Designer Angelo Surmelis commented in a recent interview, "Don't just copy what you've seen. Reinvent it for YOU and your life." Being inspired by Kelly's color combination, I had also seen a use for the curtain of rings I had found while at work: the rings became a graphic focal point behind the sofa in our living space.

Through reading just some of her many books (Kelly Hoppen STYLE, Kelly Hoppen HOME: From Concept To Reality, In Touch With Kelly Hoppen) I've learned about color, texture, scale, and repetition. Some of here repeating elements are concepts I've also used while creating some impactful visual merchandising statements with clarity.

And that is, after all, what creating a FOCAL POINT is all about?

What do you see when you open the door?