Where do good ideas come from?

“I know not how I may seem to others, but to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge, every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with” -Plato

It’s summertime -again- and that’s Pete pictured above, who just scored a home run in his pajamas at 7:30am about 13 years ago with his big brother John Henry who tried to tag him out at home plate with the (beach) ball. I think he may have let Pete score that homer.

I’m so grateful for that moment with my nephews. It was Camp Gretchen. We went to the park to play - pretend baseball - early, because I’m up early and so were they and we all thought it was a good idea.

Finding good ideas

What are you doing this summer? Planning a new addition? Redecorating a room? If so, give yourself some time to wander and think about different ideas. Don’t try to get it all completely figured out.

Weeks ago we wandered the area surrounding Charleston, South Carolina and discovered an old historic town, Summerville, S.C. and fell into The Icehouse, #theicehousesc an historic building, now a restaurant with an American/ Southern menu. Fabulous Lunch!

We drove past The Magnolia House and Gardens #magnoliahouseandgardens on the way. America’s Oldest Garden. So we visited the -beautiful & romantic- gardens. We would not have known about Magnolia had we not chosen to wander…..

We were staying in Kiawah, SC and rode our bicycles around the island to look at houses for inspiration. Check out the house with the drive through ‘guest house’ and notice the Buddha (below, left). Or the beautiful curves of the standing metal seam roof (below, right).

I allow myself time to wander regularly through the fabulous showrooms in the D&D building. I visit my favorites like John Roselli, John Boone, Osborne & Little, Pierre Frey, Kravet, Brunschwig, Lee Jofa, Clarence House, Romo, Schumacher, Zimmer & Rhode and fill my eyes with the tremendous bounty of beautiful fabrics, wallpapers, furnishings, lighting, art and much more great design, and I’ll dream.