"I get my main inspiration from two areas: the client and the architecture of the client's environment. From there, ideas begin flowing and possibilities begin to appear. Between projects, I look to travel publications just to keep 'fresh' and keep the creative juices flowing. While on travels to great cities like Chicago, I love to explore and enjoy the architecture and interiors of the buildings, both new and especially those of old, and compare and contrast styles, materials and details. As far as gaining inspiration from something unusual, a prospective client wanted to incorporate an iron birdcage into her kitchen design for her prized bird. You never know where inspiration will come from next..."

—Alan Hilsabeck, Jr., CMKBD, ASID, Hilsabeck Design Associates, Inc., Flower Mound, TX


"My inspiration comes from many sources. The spice market in Istanbul [shown with the kitchen it inspired, below], a kiwi-green-and-sky-blue beaded necklace, a Buddhist temple in Bangkok and the flowers in my garden all have given me ideas for color combinations. Seeing new products at trade shows and in showrooms always sparks an idea, too. I ask my clients for a treasured possession, which often is the starting point for the look and feel of a space. Right now I'm designing a tile backsplash around four tiles the clients bought in Mexico and have saved for years."

—Tracey Stephens, Tracey Stephens Interior Design, Inc., Montclair, NJ
















"Inspiration is everywhere! I get inspired when I'm dining out or traveling, as there's always a great design feature I'll spot. Visiting design trade shows and showrooms is another huge source of inspiration. I just came back from New York City and will be in Miami later this year, visiting all the showrooms they don't have in my local Tampa area."

—Jamie Goldberg, AKBD, CAPS, Jamie Goldberg Kitchen and Bath Design, LLC, Tampa, FL


"Design inspiration comes from many sources. I blog about kitchen design, so I'm regularly searching the Internet for ideas. Not everything I find is a blog entry, but I see articles on furniture design, industrial design, packaging—all seem to have something to add to my idea vault. The fashion industry is a particularly good source, as it constantly tries to reinvent itself in the materials it uses and the way it presents itself. Nothing is sacred. Risking change doesn't always lead to great design, but great design always comes from that sort of risk."

—Arne Salvesen, CKD, senior designer, Paradigm Kitchen Design Ltd., Vancouver, BC


"My inspiration comes from the client. Seeing the locale and interviewing the client, I always come up with a feel for their needs—even if they themselves do not know them."

—Jeff Smoler, ASID, ASFD, J.E.S. Designs, Northbrook, IL


"My grandma inspires most of my design spaces relating to space and storage function. She can never have enough plastic containers and mismatched plates. Heirloom pieces dot the kitchen as well. My clients are real people that want the idealized look of model kitchens and baths. My job is to have my clients as excited about their base pantry pull-outs storing their seasonings next to their stove as well as their selection of maple cabinetry with ginger glaze."

—Susan Elizabeth Ruiz, kitchen designer, Home Depot 6547, San Antonio, TX


"I don't know that I consciously look for inspirational ideas, but I can find them in the most unusual as well as the most mundane places. I think with a practiced eye and an open mind, inspiration can be found everywhere—and can reveal itself as shapes, colors and patterns. For example, one of my clients is a sailing enthusiast and while looking at some of his photos, we decided to create a gracefully curved front to his island as a nod to his favorite hobby; it was subtly reminiscent of the bow of his boat. The beautiful detailing on an old sideboard that I saw in an antique store inspired me to create a unique end treatment for base and wall cabinets for another client. A fantastic collection of French glazed pottery was the impetus behind the color scheme for yet another kitchen. In letting inspiration work this way, spaces become really personalized for the client. While it may not always be evident to everyone who enters the room, the client always has that secret knowledge that their new environment has a little piece of something that is unique to them. And at times, the environment itself is inspiring—beautiful views or incredible architecture—which suggests that design-wise, it's sometimes better to step back, stay minimalist and not upstage it."

—Amy Britton, CKD, owner, Artisan Kitchens LLC, Osterville, MA


"My inspiration comes from within. My head is always thinking of new ideas. Certain places spark thoughts and inspirations for new projects, but it is mostly the client's personality that I try to bring out in my discussions with them in order to develop the design for their lifestyle. The process of my designs always starts with circulation—I guess it goes back to the bubble diagrams we did in Architectonics. When the space flows well, the style and color follow easily. I love going to exotic places in Europe, mostly Italy. It makes me feel happy and creative. This economy makes people panic and they forget that it is not just about money. Happiness comes from purity and simplicity. We must not give our soul away; it is what we need to keep with us all the time. A wise old man once told me, 'Life is great if you know how to live it.'"

—Nava Slavin, president, The Creative Edge Inc., Roslyn Heights, NY


"My client's frustrations give me inspiration. When clients throw up their proverbial hands and say, 'I can't figure this out' or 'This space doesn't work for me and I can't seem to come up with any ideas,' those comments inspire me. Tight budgets and tight spaces give me inspiration. I love the challenge of exceeding a client's expectations both in terms of usable space and storage, as well as financial resources. Windows and natural light inspire me—most of my good ideas come to me while I am staring out a window."

—Molly McCabe, AKBD, owner and principal designer, A Kitchen That Works , Bainbridge Island, WA


"One of my top sources for inspiration is art. Often when I am working on a project it is flowing through the back of my mind as I go about my daily life. One of the main things I do for personal enjoyment is visit art galleries, museums or events like live music or theatre. So often while I'm there, I begin to get ideas for projects. Once, the color of a wall in a museum became the centerpiece color for an entire project. Other times, the shape of a sculpture inspires the shape of faucets or sinks. Even lyrics in a song or a set of a play can generate creative thinking that leads to a project solution. When I am having trouble finding a creative direction for a project or feel blocked, I often just head off to a museum or gallery for an afternoon. I don't try to force inspiration or consciously 'find the solution' at the museum, but just relax and enjoy the art and the answer almost always flows in naturally!"

— Brenda Be, principal designer, beTM interior design & project management, Boston, MA