LILAC TO LEOPARD: THE MAKING OF AN INSPIRATION

Over this past weekend I finally made myself get out to the huge Picasso exhibit going on here in Seattle, and as I wandered through rooms of sketches and paintings I started wondering about the crazy creative processes that artists go through in their head...
selby_HervePierreED27876
The way we each take things in and then put them back out into the world is so unique. For me, my eye is constantly drawn to color, texture, and patterns - drawing them out and putting them together into something that makes sense. I take pieces of inspiration and connect the dots to create a larger idea...
Seneca Rising Spring 2011 by Zoey Grossman
And what does that look like in my mind? Well, something like this actually. Jumping from the first photo to the second, it's the colors that bring them together, but in the second photo, it's the leopard print shoes that really pop out to me, which brings us to this lovely shot below...
jacklynpaige
Put them all together in little pieces of inspiration, and this is what you get!
leopard+lilac inspiration clips coco+kelley
Lots of lovely lilac highlighted by shots of orange and yellow, mixed in with unexpected leopard and some ethnic stripes. Saying that out loud, it sounds a bit jumbled and crazy, but looking at it all together, you can see how it works. And, voila! Inspiration for a room, a tabletop, or even today's ensemble.

How does your eye see it?

*images via the selby, photography by zoey grossman, via jacklyn paige

36 comments:

  1. You have such a great eye! Adore the shot of Herve Pierre's Manhattan apartment!

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  2. Well, Cassandra.. you're very lucky for seeing this. I wish I was in Seattle too.


    This is very interesting point of view... I see it a very strong pattern.. I'd love to design a room with these suggestion. Pure, strong, sexy & romantic at the same time. Love it!


    Btw, if you think you've seen well designed homes out there, you gotta see the one I've posted today. I'm not joking!

    Let me know what YOU see. :-)

    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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  3. LOVED this post- lilac and leopard had me at hello. I absolutely loved your inspiration board and how you moved from one to another. Fabulous.

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  4. It looks superb...
    would love to see this come to life.

    best
    Homan

    muhmamashop.blogspot.com

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  5. Lovely post and wonderfull color combo!
    Yep i go for texture too, mixing it all up! And i love colors but I think you need a calm base to mix them all up nicely. Anyhow such a nice blog!

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  6. Love it! It helps that I'm loving lilac right now, and I'm always a classic leopard fan.

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  7. I haved long loved this combination! There is certainly something so stunning about the calming of lavender paired with exciting/exotic cheetah. Even the little pop of yellow is perfection! Great inspiration board!

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  8. I hope you weren't stuck in that crazy line to get in. I was because I'm a procrastinator. But it was worth it!

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  9. Ooooh wish I was visiting my parents in Seattle right about now, I love Picasso! Purple & leopard print...yeah my eyes saw what you saw :)

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  10. Anonymous17.1.11

    What is really fascinating is how different people see the same things(s) so differently! In design school we would be given one reference image and have to build a room, or a collection, from it. Each person had SUCH a totally different take; it was wonderful and inspiring to see!

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  11. I LOVE the unexpected mashup of lilac & leopard. Gorgeous!! Who knew??..

    -Carla

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  12. Loving the punchy lavender and orange combo in the first photo!

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  13. I was visiting Seattle over the Thanksgiving holiday and went to the Picasso exhibit- wasn't it wildly inspiring?! I loved it. Just as much as I'm loving your purple/leopard inspiration. Pops of color are really pulling at my heart strings lately! Gorgeous!

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  14. I am looking for lilac throw pillows... suggestion for sources?
    THANKS!

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  15. LOVE this color combo! Definitely going on my inspiration board!

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  16. How lovely to see and hear your thought process. I am on the same page as you with these colors! I was inspired by a gorgeous deep purple / more violet than mauve sunset with brilliant pylon / Hermes orange thrown in the other night. I did a color study, and then picked up some paint samples of those same colors.

    Yours is lovely!

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  17. I love this mix-- my favorite hue with my favorite print. Definitely an inspiration for me today!!!

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  18. Anonymous17.1.11

    loving the lilac and leopard.

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  19. A French philosopher(Voltaire?)said: Rien ne se cree, rien ne se perd, tout se transforme. Nothing (on earth)is created, nothing is lost totally, all is transformed (from something to something different). More or less what you are saying. None of these items have been actually CREATED from nothing, none of them will totally disappear; they will just be transformed into something totally new. Just like your ideas. Love your blog and your approach. Merci

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  20. Leopard goes with anything! I've turned my nose up at those that say leopard is for autumn/winter only. I plan to be incorporating leopard into my spring/summer wardrobe. I was visiting Seattle over the Thanksgiving holiday and went to the Picasso exhibit as well. Truly enjoyed the exhibition. As always, love the post!

    Impetuous Style

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  21. Would love that leopard cardi. Is it from J.Crew? Kate Spade?
    -Jordana

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  22. Every room needs to show a little skin! Love it;)

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  23. Ooo I love that couch - and liking the leopard mixed in with the lilac.
    Much love,
    B

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  24. I love how you pay attention to the details too. Absolutely a must try! I love the combinations!

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  25. These images are gorgeous. Love the lavender and leopard.
    Hope your week is going well.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  26. That would be a gorgeous room.

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  27. I always love leopard but particularly with that lilac - it's a bit unexpected and I like that :)

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  28. Anonymous18.1.11

    THAT was fun! A great visual journey. Thanks. Roxanne

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  29. Great Combo of color and texture. Unexpected but oh so right.

    Yesterday, I just found this blog on my personality, INFP, (http://www.infpblog.com/favorites/speaking-infp/) that explains how us INFP's in conversation jump from idea to a seemingly unrelated idea but really there are so many connecting ideas in between which are unspoken but make so much sense to us.

    I love how the visual can make these leaps so much clearer. This is why I have to be a visual artist to connect the dots.

    Thanks for the insight and visual inspiration.

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  30. I am in love with this post... seriously. I love the combination of colors, metal and crystal, it's so lovely I saved the pictures for inspiration down the road...Thank you!!

    xo Jessica Rae
    {lovely ugly design}
    http://lovelyuglydesign.blogspot.com/

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  31. So gorgeous! Loving lilac & leopard print together.

    www.meg-land.blogspot.com
    xx

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  32. Gorgeous combo. So inspired.

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  33. Grrrrlllllllllllllllll!! So amazing. You have such a great set of eyeballs!

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  34. For me my eyes see it as "BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY" thats all there is to say, you are very talented.

    John

    Anchorage Moving

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  35. What's really marvelous is that most artists start with color, texture, and pattern. As a costumer and a florist, those three elements are essential for creating beautiful and interesting pieces. Thinking even deeper...even as a performer my singing or monologue or dance have to have metaphoric color, texture, and pattern.

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  36. wonderful post!!! perfect way to mix fashion and decor!

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