Creative Wall Decor Sources I Use As Interior Stylist

As Interior Photo Stylist, the job is to forecast trends and styles, research sources and be uniquely creative for clients.  With everyone looking at the same inspiration ~ whether that be Pinterest and Google Trends ~ where many people go ~ you need to think “outside the box”.  So, I expand out far to be inspired.  We often talk about adding a "wink" of whimsy, these source ideas will give you those "winks" that ensure your home style reflect your personality.

So, if you are looking to do a renovation, refresh or a total red-do of your home wall style ~ look to many sources to give you inspiration.  It does not have to be in the pages of a magazine, style blog, or Pinterest.  

Sharing my favorite sources of inspiration for interior home wall styling and my search terms to find them.  

1.  TRADE SHOW DESIGN BOOTHS

Attending several trade shows a year is always on my must-do list.  My favorite for the lifestyle market is NYnow.  While you have to be in industry to attend ~ you can see all the great images from the shows which will give you inspiration, both in style and what is trending. When you think about it:  Brands want to capture attention so they can sell their products/services ~ SO they have to get creative and be eye-catching.  Great inspiration can be found at industry trade shows and events.

KEYWORDS TO SEARCH FOR INSPO │Home Industry Trade Show Booths, Visual Merchandising, Brand Showcase, Brand Trade Show Installations

2.  EVENT COMPANIES

WALL DECOR CONCEPT.  This wall was for wedding cocktail bar.  The wall is thoughts/love letters from the bride and groom for each other.  How sweet is that?  You can use this same concept for your home.  Maybe for a bedroom with personal love thoughts or a favorite quote.

 Photo Credit│ Photography,  Lola Valentina

3.  RESTAURANTS

There are so many beautifully designed restaurants. When you think about it, restaurants want you to feel comfortable, be visually stimulated, appeal to all your senses for a great dining experience (& of course great food) so they are mindful design and hire interior designers to bring their Point of View / Restaurant Story (POV) to life.  You can get great ideas from restaurants.  (Same goes for Coffee Shops and Bakeries.)

KEYWORDS TO SEARCH FOR INSPO  Best Decorated (or Designed) Restaurants, Beautiful Restaurant Interior Design, or a specific search, such as “who did the interior design for (your favorite) Restaurant?”

WALL DESIGN CONCEPT.  This is Citrus and Salt Restaurant in the Back Bay of Boston. A coastal-chic, Baja-inspired mexican restaurant by Chef, Jason Santos.  Love the stucco treatment and color of this wall.  It was designed by Assembly Design Studio.  Love a restaurant near you?  Ask owner who the Interior Designer was?  Ask the designer their sources or can you do that for me?  AND can I say . . . look at the hand painted flowers on the floor!  (Again, get inspiration and ideas for everywhere for every room of your home.)

  Photo Credit │Assembly Design Studio

4.  HOTEL RESTROOMS

I know, odd.  But hear me out. ;)  Inspiration is everywhere.  There is a Hotel/Restaurant in Boston that has script writing on all their mirrors that gave me such great inspiration for a project.  This can easily be done by just getting script decals and placing on mirror.  OR you could hire a graphic designer or calligrapher to custom design for you. It’s a total whimsical stylish upgrade to show your personality on your mirrors. (Not just bathroom mirrors ~ but for any room.)  Of course, look not just to the restroom, but to the entire hotel.  Do you love a hotel style and style elements you have gone to or seen?

5.  WINDOW DISPLAYS

Visual Merchandisers are creative ARTISTS!  Look to the windows they style to give you ideas.  Look for a brand that best represents the style you want to create on your wall at home.  Do you want a creative, artistic styled home?  Maybe look at Anthopologie windows.  Modern?  Look to Neiman Marcus. Search your favorite style of brand that does window displays to get inspired. 

This is a visual installation from the Magnolia Market with Johanna and Chip Gaines.  Love this botanical style? You could do this in your home.  If you love botanical style, check out our Botanical Styling For Home Tabletop and Fashion.  Johanna gives you the inspiration, tips and instruction to bring this look to life. Look to your favorite stores and their walls and displays.  For this one you could just do the wall vases without the phrase or both. 

Photo Credit  │ Magnolia Market

5.  MUSEUMS

When you think about it, museums are all about displaying and wall art. Great place to get inspiration on decor, color and composition.  Great ideas for how to compose a wall gallery can be found here.

ONE OF MY BEST TIPS FOR SOURCING AS INTERIOR STYLIST:

Look to Brands Departments that are outside of what you are looking for.  For example, RH has beautiful wall designs in their baby and teen websites.

RH Baby and Child
RH Teen

Maybe not sites you would go to for your adult rooms.  RH is my "go-to" favorite for "outside the box" inspiration.  Don’t just look in the “adult” section.  Maybe you would not immediately think to look at those sites for you own home wall (or anything in your home!) decor ~ but aren’t these beautiful examples that don’t necessarily make you think “baby or child" or make you think “teenager”.  

I practice this technique in fashion/designer departments as well.  My cute cocktail purses ~ I get those in the little girl department.  They have the most unique purses!  Think outside the department "box". 

Bonnie ~

Cover Image Credit  │Timeless Designers

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