I always preach that you can find inspiration anywhere, right? So I decided to take my camera to the local zoo (of all places) to study patterns and colors for inspiration and ideas. The India area of the Hannover Zoo was my favorite, the environment was quite transporting for a zoo with curry and incense in the air along with the laughter of children - it was fun to play pretend for a moment and imagine myself in Bombay.

The prints and patterns in the various buildings there sent my imagination into overdrive, it again reminded me of how badly I want to work with a client on a modern Indian design - pulling together a space around various tones of red (think pink and fuchsia), white, and pale turquoise with lots of gold accents and modern Indian patterns based on traditional motifs. Embroidery too, of course. But the look would be very clean, very exotic, and far from boring.

I also dream of hosting a summer party beneath a tent in my background, perhaps next summer. Wouldn't it be fun to go a step further and jump into a commercial space with this idea, perhaps a store or day spa, maybe even a swanky lounge? Oh imagine that. Or a bedroom. Can't you see it now? Here's some examples with special thanks to House to Home.

Embroidered bed skirt, sumptuous silks, amazing florals!

Twinkle lights dancing behind a headboard? Oh yes!

Soft furnishings take center stage in this room design, you barely notice the furniture.

(images from house to home)