The other night I made this.
Sweet potato, some goat cheese layered on top of the sweet potato, then sauteed squash and zucchini. And some basil and pesto chicken sausage. I really liked the various colors and textures against the white porcelain bowl.
And it made me feel inspired. To think more consciously about color and texture combinations from ordinary things and actions, like making a random dinner out of whatever (I hope) is left in the fridge.
Recently a friend of mine had put aside a children's book to point out that she really liked the color combination of the art on the cover of the book and thought I would too. I did! So much that the next day as I looked into my closet (yes, of too many clothes...) I was inspired to put together an outfit with just those colors. A teal/green, a burnt orange, an ivory...with jeans. I didn't realize what I had done until later that day and it made me smile to think that one look at a book could unconsciously inspire me to put together individual clothing pieces that I had each worn 20 times before in a completely new combination.
I have been trying to take more time to think about how to translate color and texture combinations from everyday items that strike me -- food, books -- into more extraordinary ways -- the redesign of a kitchen, a dinner party, holiday decorations and gift wrap. Do you remember the column Domino used to have called "Turn this Room into an Outfit"? (
Design Sponge is also doing this a little bit now...) After reading each month's issue I would sit and picture my clothes and think about my favorite color combinations. Like the yellow J.Crew cardigan with a little ruffled collar I loved until it (finally) wore out (okay, I have it in about 4 colors so it still lives on) and a deep gray A-line skirt with a navy silk blouse. With a single strand of pearls and some gold and silver bracelets. Different colors and textures. That produced a outfit that felt great on. And then sit and think about the endless possiblities for translating that into a room...
