Where I Find Inspiration: From the Jersey Shore, Boston to The Frick Museum
People often ask where I find inspiration for my designs. The answer is everywhere—but some places definitely get my creative wheels turning more than others.
I’m always looking. A weekend at the Jersey Shore, an afternoon wandering through a museum, a great restaurant in Jersey City—I’m constantly noticing color combinations, architecture, artwork, textures and those little details that make a space memorable.
Sometimes I’ll see something and immediately think, I need to remember that.
An Afternoon at The Frick
There’s something incredibly inspiring about walking through The Frick in New York. Of course, the art is extraordinary, but as an interior designer, I’m looking at so much more than what’s hanging on the walls.
The architecture, ornate moldings, beautiful woodwork, textiles, furniture, lighting and the way artwork is incorporated into each room are all part of the experience.
What I especially love is the sense that everything has been collected over time. The rooms don't feel like someone ordered an entire “look.” They feel layered and interesting—and that's something I love bringing into my own work.
Finding Inspiration in Jersey City
Jersey City has a completely different energy, and that's exactly why I enjoy it.
There’s such an interesting mix of old and new—historic brownstones and industrial architecture alongside restaurants, hotels and spaces with fresh, creative interiors.
I love seeing how designers work with an existing building rather than fighting against it. Exposed brick, interesting tile, dramatic lighting, unexpected artwork or a bold paint color can completely change the personality of a space.
And sometimes it's not even the whole room that catches my attention. It might be one fabulous light fixture or a color combination that gets filed away in my head for later.
The Jersey Shore Will Always Inspire Me
Then there’s the Jersey Shore.
The coast has its own natural color palette that I never get tired of—soft blues and greens, sandy neutrals, weathered woods and all the beautiful colors you see in the sky and water.
But coastal inspiration doesn't have to mean decorating a house with seashells and anchors!
For me, it's more about capturing the feeling of being there: relaxed, comfortable, light and easy. Natural textures, breezy fabrics, organic materials and colors pulled from the landscape can bring that feeling home without making a room look overly themed.
Estate Sales: The Thrill of the Hunt
Estate sales are one of my favorite places to look for inspiration—and, of course, a great find! I love walking into a home and never quite knowing what I’ll discover. Vintage lamps, blue-and-white pottery, artwork, old furniture, brass accessories and quirky little objects with a history are always more interesting to me than buying everything brand new.
I’m drawn to pieces with character—the things that make you stop and take a second look. Even when I leave empty-handed, I usually come away with an idea, a color combination or a new appreciation for how beautifully old and new pieces can live together.
And when I do find something special? That’s half the fun. There’s nothing better than giving a beautiful old piece a new home and finding just the right place for it in a room.
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