5 degrees of inspiration…pt. 1

July 27, 2009 · Posted in Interior design projects

Interview with designer and Vastu co-owner Jason Claire…

Is there someone or something (architect, piece of art work, painter) who/that inspires your creativity?

Growing up in the 1970s, my house was dark and earthy to say the least. My bedroom was red, white, and blue despite my disinterest in politics, my brother’s room was rust and camel, my parents’ room was celery green, our kitchen was rust, gold, and brown, and our family room walls were covered in rust colored suede! In the 1980s we moved to a house that was entirely gray and white and much more minimal. Minimalism stuck with me – I like it in food, cinema, art, architecture, and design. Traveling around the world has also inspired my creativity. Local interpretations of modernism and minimalism are fascinating to see.

What are your favorite elements/colors to use in a design proposal and what elements/colors do you think are necessary to have a successful proposal?

I like using a warm, neutral palettes and layering neutrals on top of one another. Color typically enters my projects in original art and accessories. It is necessary for clients to personalize their spaces too – so I encourage books, photos, and objects collected while traveling to be used as accessories as well. The result is a warm, modern aesthetic.

When was it that you became interested in the design field and how has your career evolved?

I have been interested in modernism and design since I was a little kid and my family and I used to go into New York to exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney, and The Guggenheim. I loved the furniture and object design floor at MOMA. I didn’t think of design as a vocation until after 4 years of college, 7 years of healthcare consulting, 2 years of business school, and then another year of consulting. Then I [finally] saw the light. I did study art and architecture in college which was fortuitous.

Where do you look for new inspiration and how do you avoid “designers block”?

At Vastu, we like to collaborate on our projects, so I know I always have 3 other talented designers with whom I can discuss projects. I also take lots of notes and queues from my clients. My clients are very involved with my projects – do they entertain a lot, do they eat in front of the television a lot, do they have guests stay over frequently? I like to address functional issues and space usage issues before I begin crafting the color palette and overall aesthetic. Sometimes if I have designers block, I’ll look through new textile arrivals, a book on Mark Rothko or Willem de Kooning, or even watch an artfully designed movie or television show. Wine helps.

What helpful tips can you give our blog readers about taking on a design project of their own?

1. Subscribing to shelter magazines and ripping out pages that you like is always a great way to build a file over time of what you like.
2. Understanding the function of a space is also really important. How many people need to be comfortable in a room or area?
3. Not every piece of furniture needs to be a “look at me” piece. One or two in a particular space is usually enough.
4. Save and pay for quality furniture. It is better to hold off on a piece or two than to buy a cheaply made piece that you’ll wind up replacing. Don’t buy cheap twice.
5. Using a design professional doesn’t mean that you’ve failed on your own. It is a very collaborative process and you’ll be able to exert your creativity. A design professional can help take the stress out of designing your space and make it more fun for you!