Yesterday, I was leafing through the March issue of Elle magazine (the US edition) and came across this ad for Missoni:
Now a couple of years ago, we were designing our Big and Bold range of stencils. We were stencilling roomsets to show off how these decorating masks worked. By using the decorating mask system, you can create patterns that you couldn't with a traditional stencil. The Chevron is a perfect example of this. When Chips created this roomset using DM4 Chevron No. 2, I remarked, "How very Missoni!". To which Chips replied, "If you say so". That implies that he is not very sartorially minded, but I assure you...despite his current favoured uniform of huge sweater, denim shirt and jeans, he knows his Versace from his Chanel (a good designer is well versed in all the creative arts). But I also have a 1930's knitted tea cosy that looks as though it walked straight off of the Missoni catwalk so what subconsciously inspired his scheme is a mystery. If you think that you cannot gain inspiration from something as utilitarian as a knitted tea cosy, think again. Here is the photo said tea cosy (masquerading as a cushion on my armchair at the moment).
It's quite something, is it not? Finally, here is the roomset featuring the Chevron Decorating Mask.
I would like to think that Missoni's current collection was inspired by our photograph (being arrogant enough to think that anyone at Missoni had actually seen our photo). Given that Missoni might have subtly inspired it in the first place, that has a nice sort of symmetry to it, don't you think? However, I suspect the tea cosy might have had more to do with it. If unusual objects have inspired any decorating schemes of yours, please leave a comment. We'd love to hear what sparks an idea.
Rachel
I get inspiration from the weirdest things. I always tell people to look up if they want some inspiration, it's all around you.
Posted by: Di Overton | March 30, 2009 at 07:56 AM