I am often asked how I can come up with 40 to 50 new designs for my seasonal collections without duplicating something I have created in the past. Simple… Every month, I read at least twenty shelter magazines like House Beautiful, Traditional Home and Elle Décor and pull out everything that I love. Design trends start to emerge from the pages and voilá, a collection is born.

For this spring, the inspiration for Chinoiserie began with a stunning picture of a dining room designed by Michael Smith – the Chinese-style wallpaper of hand-painted peonies was perfectly paired with a gilt console table upon which stood a trio of carved soapstone temples and a beautiful deep blue vase holding branches of lush pink cherry blossoms. Embraced by top designers, chinoiserie (a French term meaning “Chinese-esque” or that which reflects Chinese artistic influence) has a special star quality that captures the imagination and transforms any style of room… much like many of my bouquets.

I brought the outdoors inside with a collection inspired by the clean lines and natural elements of Modern Landscapes. When creating this line, I imagined a peaceful stream tumbling over river rocks, the contrast of lush grasses meeting a stone wall or the softening effect of bold foliage on a path’s angular lines. Using some wonderful organic containers made of driftwood and alabaster, the Modern Landscapes collection evolved quite naturally into a fresh, crisp trend for spring.

Finally, I had the pleasure of visiting Palm Springs in the 1950’s as postwar modernism began to influence architects, artists and designers worldwide. Homes by Neutra and Schindler were completed with Eames furniture and paintings by Helen Lundeberg creating that California Cool style which is now modern again.

The Palm Springs Pop collection, brimming with architectural flowers and splashes of vibrant color, evokes this celebrated mid-century style where freedom and a sense of fun prevail.