“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.”  Jack London

 

In the spirit of this entry’s quote, SOFIE wanted to discuss how, like with many things in life, people tend to overlook the importance of starting right where they are…right at home. This is true even in the pursuit of inspiration. There are places everywhere we can go.  There are people all over the world to whom we can look.  However, are we deliberately and thoughtfully surrounding ourselves with inspiration in the places where we spend most of our time…especially in the places where we seek to create and innovate…???

 

Below is a link to a touching and thought provoking New York Times article about the Tony Award winning Broadway star of “Kinky Boots,” Billy Porter.  We sincerely thank Fashion Maven and TV Host Bevy Smith @bevysmith for sharing!


 

 

“When I first moved into my current home, I needed all new furniture. This red, leather couch from Thomasville Furniture was the first piece I purchased. I knew it would be the place where a lot of my creative work would be done and from where I would conceive and birth a lot of my new ideas. Therefore, it was imperative that it would entice me to come hither every time I laid eyes upon it. It had to be comfy and stylish and yes, RED! I usually stick to muted, natural tones, materials and textures, BUT I always have to have a pop of color to inspire me and help keep my spirit soaring.”

 


“The next big furniture purchase I made was dining room chairs from Restoration Hardware. I imagined some of my favorite people around my table, laughing and enjoying spirited conversation…delicious, sumptuous meals…and loud, competitive and fun card games. So, I needed chairs that would be sturdy and comfortable for long periods of time. Of course, the chairs needed to be an excellent compliment to my red couch! So, I chose the Antique Whiskey leather with an intricately carved Weathered Oak Drifted wooden frame. Besides my great appreciation for the comfort provided by the thick seat cushion and cushioned back, I often sit and admire the carvings and the contrast of the squared base against the huge, rounded back. I hadn’t paid attention, until now, to the fact that my chairs are reproductions of a classic Louis XVI dining chair popular in the French colonial period, but they do make me feel like royalty every time I sit on one.”

 

 

 

“Cookware! I don’t know why, but I can even be inspired by cookware. While I do enjoy cooking, I don’t often have the chance to indulge in it like I want. However, I do have a fully stocked kitchen with everything the advanced chef would love or need. Now…I don’t need another piece of cookware, but…I am tempted by these gorgeous Lagostina Heritage Collection items! Lagostina is the premiere cookware brand in Italy, and it will finally make its debut in the U.S. soon. Besides superb cooking performance, the brand is known for exceptionally beautiful designs. There’s even a piece of Lagostina in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA). So…if MOMA considers it art…”

 

“I feel inspired each time I look down during a meal and see the colorful plate featuring a sweet nature scene. I think Everyday China is one of the best ideas in Housewares! When I have guests, they usually don’t want to use my Lenox Chirp China dishes, because people have become used to waiting until a special occasion to use China. In my home, everyday is special.”

 

 

“Something else that I rely upon daily for inspiration…my photographs of loved ones placed lovingly all around my home. As I walk by a group of photos, my eyes will land on one, and I am transported back to some wonderful moment that I shared with someone who has truly enriched my life…always providing love, support, encouragement and the greatest inspiration to keep dreaming and living my dreams!”

 

Tweet @SOFIE1andOnly pictures of some of your own “Pieces of Inspiration” that help you to be your creative best!