Welcome to Matcha & Muses!

Every Monday I will share my current muses + inspirations in travel, decor, interior design, or fashion design…etc. One of the biggest things I remember learning about from design school was to look outside your field for inspiration. There is inspiration in architecture, food, colors, fashion, travel, nature…etc. When I design a room or a space for a client, I am not just looking at other interior spaces on Pinterest to pull inspiration from (don’t get me wrong - I do this too. Pinterest is amazing!), but I am also looking at the world around me. Designing is highly emotive and intuitive. When you look at an area in your home where you are feeling stuck on how to design it, lean into your feelings. I know this sounds strange, but this holds the answers to what your space is missing!

Let’s do a quick exercise together. Colors pull in a great deal of emotion. Let’s say you decide to paint one room in your home bright orange and the other room sage green. Step into the bright orange room - what are you feeling right now? Energetic? Excited? Spontaneous? Confident? Okay now step into the sage green room. What do you feel now? I’m guessing you’d probably say calm, serene, comforted…etc. Isn’t it interesting that something as simple as color can evoke this much emotion in a space? Imagine what happens when you draw inspiration from architecture, food, fashion, interiors, and nature all together! You’d create a full story!

One of my favorite places to draw inspiration from is through traveling. Even when I am not traveling, I love to a vacation. This allows me to draw inspiration from places that are not included in my everyday commute around town. It gives me a chance to see other people’s lives from a new perspective and it allows me to experience my day-to-day life differently when I come home.

Now this brings me to this week’s muse - Provence! As I currently sit here at my desk wrapped up in a big blanket and fuzzy socks, I have been planning a few trips next year to get through this brutal 30-degree winter we are having so far. Next year my husband and mine’s 5-year anniversary AND my husband’s 30th birthday! Needless to say, Provence checked all the boxes for the perfect getaway next summer.

Just looking at this beautiful region in France had me daydreaming of transforming my entire home into a Provencial countryside escape. Provence region in southern France, is known for its rustic charm, warmth, and timeless elegance. One of the key elements that draws me to Provençal design is its sense of relaxed luxury and its connection to nature. Here are a few of the key elements to create this relaxed luxury in your own home:

This Week’s Muse - Provence

1. Natural Materials
The use of natural materials such as weathered wood, stone and wrought iron give an organic and earthy feel to a space.

2. Soft, Muted Colors
Muted colors are inspired by the nature seen around the south of France. Soft purples are reminiscent of the rolling lavender fields. Warm Neutrals evoke the warm sun shining throughout the region. Sage green colors inspire the organic olive trees and vineyards seen throughout the countryside.

3. Rustic and Antique Furniture
Drawing off the story telling that this region holds, vintage or vintage inspired furniture are commonly seen in these spaces. The furniture is filled with elegant detailing, curved lines and distressed finishes.

4. Floral and Patterned Fabrics
Once again, going along with the idea of bringing the outdoors in, floral prints and patterned fabrics create some additional dimension into Provençal spaces.

5. Elegant Lighting
One of my favorite features in Provençal design is featuring elegant lighting throughout a space. Chandeliers with crystals and fabric shades with soft, warm lights create a cozy and luxurious ambiance the pairs perfectly with the rustic charm featured in the space.

6. Indoor-Outdoor Living
Connecting to nature through large windows, open doorways and french doors that lead to outside spaces is one of the easiest ways to incorporate the indoor-outdoor living. Adding natural stone pathways and gardens bring this Mediterranean aesthetic to life.

7. Open and Airy Layout
Provençal design emphasizes comfort and functionality through a relaxed and unpretentious lifestyle. Creating a natural flow between spaces where each space is its own but is also connected to the larger whole is the easiest way to accomplish this open and airy layout.

8. Simple, Handcrafted Details
Saving the best for last. One of the easiest ways to accomplish the Provençal interior space is through handmade items. Items such as hand-knotted rugs, ceramic vases or art is one of the easiest ways to reflect the beauty of the region while at the same time adding warmth and authenticity to the space.

I’ve attached a few of my favorite links below to shop if you’d like to add the Provençal muse to your space through these design trends! Thanks for creating with me!

Xx,
Brooke Mills

Interior Design Finds | Click to Shop Below

https://rstyle.me/+Bn3NXMdyGzAtEYKGat5V4g

Fashion Finds | Click to Shop Below

Matcha & Muses

This Week’s Muse - Provence

Travel & Design