Bright Ideas: Ordinary Objects That Inspire Design

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Doug Wilson on Mar 11, 2005 at 4:49AM

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Bright Ideas: Ordinary Objects That Inspire Design

Box of Chocolates

Commercial design and packaging can be a great source of inspiration. A dedicated chocoholic gave me this chic purple hatbox, which originally contained an addict's stash of high-end chocolates. It immediately made me think of a teenage girl's bedroom. An assortment of bedding and curtain fabrics '- shimmery lilac satin, trippy purple linen, subtly sophisticated stripes, funky faux ivory leather '- matches the hatbox's sassy color scheme, and a light lavender and purple wall paint ties the various shades together. Since the hatbox's mod shape is reminiscent of the swinging Sixties, opt for furniture and accessories with a groovy bent: a purple throw pillow with psychedelic sequins, a table lamp as stylish as a pair of go-go boots and nesting tables in futuristic plastic that can be fanned out when friends drop over to chill and "study." Of course, practicality is also a consideration. A low, linear bed made from white-lacquered wood veneer will fit into the room's retro theme '- and any parent's budget.

Filed Under:
- decorating,
- design,
- homemaking,
- lighting

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Bright Ideas: Ordinary Objects That Inspire Design

Box of Chocolates