What Inspires Me (Stephanie)?

As a designer I get to see lots of beautiful things every day...one of the perks of this career! From beautiful fabrics and wallpapers to amazing furniture and accessories...and really so much more. It is these beautiful things that I get to see on a day to day basis that truly inspire me as a designer.

What I want to share with all of you are the most recent things I've seen in new spring fabric/wallpaper collections and product shows...all of which are currently hanging above my desk on my inspiration board. It's a great place for me to look when I need a little creative

pick-me-up. And, for all you animal lovers out there, well you're in luck! The current theme of my inspiration board is all about animals!

Here are just a few of the amazing animal finds I've come across recently...

Osborne and Little

http://www.osborneandlittle.com/

Grand Tour Collection

Best In Show

Wallpaper

Keep it classic with black and white,

Elegant with the metallic tone on tone, or...

Mix it up with the blue and purple color way!

Great for adding personality and impact to any space of a dog lover!

Porta Romana Lighting
http://www.portaromana.co.uk/north-america/index.php

Giraffe Lamp
This stunning giraffe lamp will immediately give character to any space. Add an interesting piece like this to your foyer or living room and instantly create conversation.

Stray Dog Designs
http://www.straydogdesigns.com/

Bird Stool/Accent Table These darling pieces can act as a stool or table! Nestle one beside a favorite chair to hold your cup of tea and book. Or, tuck one (or even two) under a console table to add interest in an unused space and pull out and use as seating when entertaining.

Roost
http://www.roostco.com/about.html

Dachshund Oil & Vinegar and Salt and Pepper

Dachshund inspired kitchen and table accessories with fun and functionality built right in! The playfulness of these pieces will be sure to make anyone smile :)

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For those of you who would like to see what inspires a designer feel free to stop in to Crimson Design Group and check out my inspiration board!

Sneak Peak

We are counting down the days until the unveiling of our new 'creative luxury studio' in Pearl Alley. We are all busy unpacking boxes of the latest products and fabrics that are being shipped in daily. Painters are putting the hottest and freshest colors on our walls. Wallpaper being installed. Today we added a new upholstery company that I can't wait to introduce. And the best thing is that its made in America and ships in 30 days. Below are things we have started unpacking just to give you a sneak peak!

We have to have something red, we are Crimson.

Black, Grey, Charcoal...I can't seem to get enough of these shades lately. I never thought I would like anything grayish!

Beautiful vases designed by one of my all time favorite designers, Barbara Barry

Add hydrangeas, tulips, or plant an orchid in these simple beauties.

Reclaimed, Recycled, Refurbished

Mixing the old with the new was definitely still the trend at the furniture show at High Point. At times I felt like I was transported back to an oh so "tres chic" European farmhouse. I was like a kid in a candy shop imagining all the possibilities for these delicious objects and where they would be laid to rest.

I can just see the kitchens that these cutting boards were used in and what a great display they now make. Do you have a collection you have had for years and don't know what to do with it? Start getting creative. Hang them on a wall, arrange symmetrically on a bookcase, or re-purpose in a fresh new way.

I fell in love with this serpentine console. It's absolutely great for small spaces, and by adding the ottomans you can create additional seating.

Layering these mirrors in front of one another adds interest. I love how recycled wood is used to make new mirrors.

The beauty of this table is that the more use and distressing it gets the better it looks. It's great for those family rooms that get a lot of use and will give you no worries with your children beating on it.

Mixing the metal with this reclaimed wood top gives it a fresh new look. I dig the wheels!

All these pieces arranged on this charcoal wall really make a lasting impression. Start by shopping at those deserted antique shops or flea markets. Even at your local thrift store you can find an interesting object that needs a new home. I would love to see what you are collecting or re-purposing. Send your photos to cheryl@crimsondesigngroup.com

Day 3 at High Point

I love the tufted sofa in this picture. The color is beautiful. I call it an icy lavender. I love the combination of pillows and adding a little red with the kilim rug pillow. This has been a big color in the new trends I have seen this week. It looks beautiful with many color combinations. I love it with shark tooth blue to a deep indigo blue. Icy lavender also looks great with a clear crisp celery green. You will see much more of this color in the next coming months. Looking forward to creating fun color combinations with this lavender for a beautifully designed space.

Wow, the picture of this chaise does not do it justice. Its really a rich lime green. The fun striped pillow adds life and reminds me of summer creamcicles.

Another basic sofa but love it paired with this kilim rug upholstered ottoman. Great prices on these pieces.

To learn more about this great upholstery company check out their site. http://www.leeindustries.com Use the website and select your fabric. The selected fabric will then be shown on the piece so that you can really see what it will look like. Also what I LOVE are the selections of outdoor furniture. It looks like slipcovered furniture and it can be left outside!!!!! Love it!!! I need to add these pieces to my own outdoor space. Everyone needs a double chaise outside. Let me know what you think of this upholstery company.

Day 2 in High Point

Turquoise

Blue-greens were definitely the theme of my day today at the High Point Furniture Show.

Global Views

http://wesleyhall.com/

I also love the large white carved frame leaning against the wall

Art and accessories really pop off of this ocean blue wall

I love the beautifully painted tables used as nightstands

http://centuryfurniture.com/

The fabric on the headboard is one of my favorite patterns

The pillows really work well with the orange and gilded gold

Check out the latest Elle Decor. Look at their highlight on this trend

http://www.elledecor.com/decorating/articles/trend-alert-turquoise

High Point Furniture Show

We have just arrived at High Point, North Carolina. I always enjoy coming here this time of year. I love this part of the country and the true southern hospitality. I am so excited to see what's new and hot for this new season in design. I will be posting my favorite finds of the day. Interhall, in the IHFC building is my first stop. I often find new companies that are creating the newest trends. So excited to see that Bobo Intriguing Objects is in Interhall. http://bobointriguingobjects.com/bobo_web/BoBo.html I fell in love with Bobo, and the repurposing of objects, when I first saw them in Atlanta. So stay tuned in for the week, and experience all these beautiful things with me.