Finding Inspiration, Not Insanity From the Fresh Fallen Snow

Finding inspiration from the colors that surround me is something that I have been giving a lot of thought to lately.  How do we take what we see, admire and desire and turn it into spaces that we love to live in? ( In fact there’s an entire ‘inspiration’ project that I’m working on right now that I can’t wait to share- more on this soon! ).

So when I awoke this morning to the world outside covered in a veil of shimmery new fallen snow I couldn’t help but take the opportunity ( being a snow day and all ) to have a hand at being inspired.

So bundled up, with camera in hand, I went to re-explore my front yard-which had been a tease of green for the last few weeks… but was once again a sea of frothy, cool white.

Surprisingly the cold air almost felt refreshing in the quiet hours of the morning… perhaps with the first day of spring only a handful of weeks away I was somehow able to be little less cranky -than -normal about the snow’s command performance and was feeling a little more reflective of it’s beauty ( or maybe after actually getting a decent night’s sleep I was simply just feeling a little less cranky overall-what ever the reason I figured I ‘d just go with it).

The first picture I took was of my Japanese maple tree heavy with snow- my neighbor’s formal white house with black shutters in the background almost mimicking it’s stark beauty.  The sky and the snow were almost the exact same shade- even my dirty picket fence adds a tone of interest and breaks up the palette.  The reflection off of the snow, the blackness of the far trees and the ‘which way is up’ sky/ground combination of the early morning light felt modern to me… not rustic..( which I must admit was the style I had figured this morning might have made me think about!)

Funny, once I began to really study and digest the colors around me It was pretty easy to quickly hone in on just the type of decor that this image could inspire…( hum maybe I’m on to something here)  so I decided to take some more pictures around my yard, figure out what it was that ‘inspired’ me about the subject and pick a room I thought the palettes might work in.   I would then return into the warmth of my winter ‘cottage’ and search the web for a match- here’s how I did, let me know what you think!

I love the feel of this foyer featured in House Beautiful… it’s exactly represents the colors, the mood and the ‘reflective’ quality that I thought the surfaces in a room inspired by the maple picture needed to have.

An old urn in my kitchen herb garden holds a rosemary plant that has made it through numerous winters and has helped to season countless pork roasts over the years.  The pale white surrounding it’s peeling paint, the green of the rosemary leaves and the splash of blue ( via the tones of the stone and the siding from my house) made me think of a kitchen, that mixes a taste of old world charm and high gloss American style.

I loved the movement of the marble pattern, as it reminded me of the peeling paint of the urn.  Again the glossy finish of the white was the effect that the snow was creating in my mind.  The bead board on the ceiling keeps it casual while the stone back splash and Rohl faucet ( coincidentally I recognize it because I have the same one in my kitchen) give it a slight European feel.

I bought this little statue at a tag sale years ago… we call him ‘apple boy’ because you guess it- he holds an apple… apple boy is also quite weathered, but even in his frail state their is something romantic and classic about him.  His faded metallic paint looks so pretty next to the crisp clean white snow as he guards my climbing deep green euonmyus bush.  In the hush of the morning… it felt as if he might actually look up and smile for the camera.

This bathroom, also from House Beautiful, perfectly represents to me if the way apple boy looks today if he were to be translated into a dream master bath.  I love the choice of the golden/bronze hardware against the all white shiny palette.  The shape of the chair and a single stem of elephant ear are like a little line of music coming out of silence, a nice surprise in a sea of white ( just like little apple boy himself!).

I wish this picture was a little better… never before did I realize how many amazing colors lived within the bark of my cherry tree…and I’m afraid this image only barely touches on it’s shocking hues of greens, yellows and reds amongst it’s beautiful silvery gray exterior.

I loved this library from Domino.  I thought the feel and colors were spot on!… The rustic, knotty floors, silvery walls and slivers of brightly colored colored books create the same pattern and warmth as the image of my tree ( and even more so in person!)

Our bird house has played host to a family of Wrens for the past 4 summers ( which I hear is good luck ), and since I never have wanted to disturb it- it too is on the very rustic side.  It’s faded red paint and silver/blue tin roof makes me think of a kid’s room..

I love this room from Domino.  At first I wasn’t sure how the quietness of the snow would translate for a kid… but this room nicely addresses it.  The striped red and brown blanket… with that nice pop of blue give the room a cozy quality while the white walls, rug and furniture feel peaceful- not cold.  I even love the Calder mobile, to me it represents both the flight of the wren and the imagination and energy of boyhood- both simply need a safe place to rest to refuel.

Nothing is better than juxtaposition ( everyone who calls their home style ‘eclectic’ I’m sure will agree) and perhaps nothing better represents this idea in my front yard then a giant patch of sea grass covered in snow.  It’s curly plumes and sunny golden color seems to almost mock the snow and cloudy sky!  It felt strong to me- feminine and hopeful.  And since I can’t think of a boys room without thinking of a girl’s room as well, this seemed to be the perfect palette to inspire one.

I love this girls room, also from Domino.  The boldness of the yellow set against the pale white walls and accessories is such a fun and unexpected combo for a girl.  The toile, polka dots and butterfly prints feel youthful, not stuffy against the bright white… I can see a lot of daydreams and giggles happening in this room.

My rose trellis rivals the NY Botanical Garden every May… so heavy with blooms you can hear the bees buzzing around it from 100 paces.  I’ve always thought of it being just as beautiful in the winter… this morning in this light- it was truly spectacular!  It’s red and green branches reaching out into the winter sky- almost like it was having a nice stretch.  I have to admit though I wasn’t quite sure what kind of interior it could inspire… when I saw this room from House Beautiful.. I knew right away that this would be the one.

And it isn’t just because of the outstretched arms of the hanging shirt ( though that is a pretty funny way to illustrate the way I thought that the climbing roses looked)- instead I felt there was something ‘exotic’ about how different these very ‘proper English’ roses looked when they are bare and dressed in white.  I love the muted red/brown color of this chest… very much like the color of the rose’s stems.  There is a sense of history in this vignette.. with a touch of newness in the form of the glossy floors and pale walls…

Okay, here’s one to inspire you.. I don’t think there is anything prettier in the winter than a boxwood and an iron urn covered in snow! Is it a master suite… a garden room… or a new laundry room with a botanical twist… whatever it inspires in you- remember, it can be.