Mecox Gardens - Finding Design Inspiration

Saturday, I took a day trip out to the Hamptons. It had been gloomy most of the week, cold and miserable and the morning was a) a Saturday-yay! b) sunny c) much warmer - all good reasons to go exploring on the east end of Long Island.

Designers find inspiration everywhere and my day trip began with a visit to the stunning, new, Parrish Art Museum, a fantastic place to expand your vision. I cannot overstate what a beautiful museum this is. The backdrop of this elegant, organic building (in design and materials) was perfect for appreciating the art within.

This was followed by a stroll through the truly fabulous shops in Bridgehampton, a visit to Tom Colicchio's new, gorgeous, restaurant and hotel, Topping Rose House built in 1842, by the way and newly restored, and more sensory stimulation as I picked up a few things at a favorite market, Citarella. Even my purple potatoes in my salad nicoise were a visual pleasure! I do enjoy being in the Hamptons in the off-off season-it's easier to slow down and take it all in.

I allowed time before heading home, to stop at Mecox Gardens in Southampton. I've visited Mecox Gardens shops in New York City, Southampton and East Hampton many times. I love the design vignettes they put together in their shops and I also love the jumbled look of objects just waiting to be discovered.

Below: The main entrance

I hope these images convey the beauty and style of the objects. So many of these objects can make their way into the kitchen, now the most important living area of the home.

The modern kitchen has indeed been redefined. Since many of these objects have a sculptural quality to them, you can create a focal point that may be experienced as a foundation in a modern style but might also have a traditional, cottage, handcrafted, natural or other characteristic as a sort of companion to the modern object, often adding warmth. The modern kitchen may well have a mix of a few styles to create a unique look. Your personal take on modern interpretation will also benefit from guidance by a design professional to communicate the style message effectively. Take a look and be inspired!

The day was a mix of new and old, modern and tradition via art, architecture, home furnishings, even food. Taking some time out just to explore and soak in disparate types of beauty, just because, is a prescription for, you guessed it, design inspiration!