Finding Inspiration In Your Surroundings

Contributed By: Laura Hay

Designers are confronted with a myriad of design decisions every day, but what does not fall on the practical side, is left to our discretion and imagination. Clearly a creative pursuit, some might argue that aesthetic composition is essentially infinite in possibilities. Inspiration is everywhere…but when faced with a new design challenge, I like to start my research with a walk through the neighborhood. Yes, we’re still talking about interior design, but by exploring the exterior environment, I get a good sense of the design vernacular. With architecture, the vernacular is dictated by the availability of localized construction materials and reflects the local traditions and the environment. These elements are historically what creates a unified architectural style and essentially what gives neighborhoods their distinct charm. 

The natural environment is the other key component in the exterior environment. The endless shades and textures of local and harvested vegetation provide a canopy of color and smells that can literally inspire so many wonderful design ideas. In the Bahamas, where I’ve had the pleasure to work on a number of homes, you don’t have to walk far to take in the ocean, a flowering bougainvillea, a 200-year-old cottage held together with bright white paint, and a straw-hat vendor. It’s literally impossible to not be inspired by something! The relationship of the settlement to the water is undoubtedly the greatest inspiration for the design scheme for Allamanda House, Harbour Island.