While visiting California, I had an opportunity to visit San Francisco for a few days. It was a great chance to catch up with family and friends and to get recharged creatively in preparation for a busy new year that lies ahead. I can always count on San Francisco to deliver. A vibe like no other......

I love this image because it speaks to the very nature of my being, in the sense that I challenge myself every day that I wake to be the best person I can, to be the best at my craft, and to be grateful for all the blessings and gifts that have been bestowed upon me. You only live once.....

The City of Angles:

Downtown LA has grown culturally since last I lived there, new office buildings, the Disney Concert Hall, conversions of factory and office buildings into residential and mixed commercial spaces. There is more to LA now than ever and I don't see a pause in its growth any time soon. I think LA, as a visiting attendee and once a former resident, has found pride in the old of its former glory. Now taking the time, Los Angeles has put care and creativity back into some of its Landmarks, gems the city has an abundance of and bringing to them a new life.

The Art of Los Angeles:

A trip back home brings me to revisit many of the things that have inspired my creative mind. Having come from a spanish background and growing up in a primarily Latin Community, color has always had a strong and bold presence. Its easy to overlook the bold and beautiful things out and about in the big busy world of a city. I just look at it as a blue print, guiding me back to my roots.

Conference Room. Inspired by the nostalgia of vintage cars.

When designing interior spaces, especially high traffic public spaces, I always see it as an opportunity to help educate. For this installation, because the office is located in Jupiter, FL. I took information that was relevant to the local community and created an art installation comprised of the subject matter. The subject was of Sea Turtles and how, after all these many years, there are only seven species existing on this planet. It pertained to Jupiter, FL because a specie of sea turtles lays eggs on one of Jupiter's local beaches and is an active subject matter that the local community takes up as a priority to help conserve.

Did you say office?

This is an interior shot taken by a talented Interior Photography duo Matt Horton and Ainhi Duong, of one of my projects last year of a private office in Florida.

The challenge was to take an average white boxed office and turn it into something fresh and exciting. The following are photos of the end result.

In case you are new to the blog, Welcome! This blog is a forum for sharing my point of view as an Interior Designer on what inspires me in my creative process. Like many other artist, such as local brazilian artist Romero Britto, Color plays a huge part of what can inspire a rainbow of beautiful and amazing works of art.

When looking for a new medium to be the base for a project, a theme of sorts, the client is the very first source to research. Learn what your client likes and dislikes, sometimes it is possible that you may even have to be the interpreter and help guide along that process. Once having acquired the necessary information, I often work from one article that symbolizes the theme I am wanting to convey. It may be a piece of art work, a beautifully patterned fabric, a vintage piece of furniture, or a family heirloom. Whatever it is, I like to build a bold, unique, and breath taking design around it.

Dolce & Gabbana Mens Winter Show 2012

Inspired by Colour

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little brother David"

Wishing you a bright future full of color and inspiration!

Performed by Altered Images, 1981

Here is an example of inspired design using color. The Spring/Summer Collection of 2012 by one of my most favorite collaborative duos Dolce & Gabbana

The Power of COLOR and what it can INSPIRE:

Inspiration is not only found in every day things or in direct correlation in that of your trade, I believe it can be found in other imagineers. Imagineers in my point of view are other creative spirits who dare to dream something big and unusual and share it with the public: fashion designers, painters, graphic artist, stylist, furniture designers, writers, poets, singers, actors, set designers, photographers, and of course interior designers. To name just a few.

We all grow by the mere presence and work of creative minds and our work in return does the same for others.

Something that enhances our own personal style is fashion. Because I can't design a room every day of the week, I mean I would if I could but I would have to duplicate myself a couple of times and thats a whole other topic, I get my creative fix in what I wear. What I wear is one form of how I can express my creative and inspired sensibility. I would publish a photo of my own fashion style as an example, but oddly, I don't by first impression look like what I design. As an example: It is like that of creating and designing a project for a client, its personal and unique to that individual. It may not be for everyone but I can truly appreciate a bold sense of style.

Book of The Week:

Picasso to Warhol-Fourteen Modern Masters is the newest published book covering some of the most prolific artist of their time. Inspired by color and their own sources for inspiration this book is a must have in your collection, plus it makes for a wonderful coffee table book. Enjoy!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I was at the airport this morning on my way to a new project and I let an airline employee move ahead of me in security and we got to talking. We discussed what it was I did for a living and where I was traveling to and the conversation led to a really great question, a question I have been asked often:

" How do you find your inspiration ?"

I was a little stumped, not so much as the answer to the question but more on how I was going to answer the question. The answer has so many moving parts and variables, how do I start to answer the question in a short amount of time before we get through security. Lets just say it would take more than a minute to have a good discussion about it so I said "It starts with COLOR". We then passed through security and we went are separate ways. But the question stayed with me. So if inspiration for me starts with color, how do I go about that process of being inspired? Two connections later as I arrived to my final destination, this is what I came up with.

It starts with a simple action we do daily and not really pay much attention to it because it is a voluntary action, opening our eyes. Ta-da!!! See, very simple. No, really. Inspiration is all around us and all we need to do is take notice. For example, If you ever have the opportunity to visit New York City I highly recommend visiting Time Square as night falls upon it. If ever you see something come to life with color, that is one square that does it effortlessly.

Color and the many ways color can inspire will be the swatches of topic for later. Till then..........

Happy Friday!

A question often asked of me:

"Where or how do you find your inspiration?"

I find this a challenging question. Its not so much about the answer, but more on how to answer it.

This is my own personal perspective on the question on hand. I see it very simply. It starts in an action we do without much thought on a daily basis, .............opening our eyes. Ta-da!

No really, inspiration is all around us. My number one go to item to contribute onto a project and every designers greatest tool in their arsenal is COLOR. We see it every day, in what we wear, walking down the street, and driving to work. Thats just a few opportunities that came to mind. We all (in general, some of us have the challenge of being color blind and not in the metaphorical sense) have the opportunity to draw inspiration from many sources. A great example of a public space for inspiration and free of charge to gaze upon, is Time Square in New York City. Talk about something that comes to life visually once night falls upon the square. If ever given the opportunity, that is for sure a sight to see.

Welcome all to the New Year!

Its indeed a new year and with that brings new adventures, new challenges, and new opportunities for creative expression.

What is your new adventure this year?

Is it: moving into a new home or apartment? Repainting an existing room? Reinventing an old piece of furniture? Or even tackling a major remodel?

Whatever it may be, stay tuned and maybe I can help lend some advice or a method to help you along the way make your space as beautiful and unique as your imagination.

Keep an eye out for great things to come from De Bronte Designs INC.