Suzanne Kasler

Inspiration is a thing of wonder.  In quiet moments it can pounce, or ebb in like the tide as an idea takes form.  It can manifest itself in the deep indigo and periwinkle hues of the tail feathers of a Blue Jay, or in a ballerina’s pale pink tutu.  In the knowledge that colors have feelings, sounds can be translated into scenes, and numbers have meaning.  For those with a reverence for religion and spirituality the concept of divine inspiration is familiar.  Knowing something that you couldn’t know.  Arriving at the answer as if from a dream.  I love the idea of divine inspiration and welcome the universe to bring it to me, I am happy to give credit where credit is do.

Chez Kasler . Note her signature white walls

And I must give credit to Suzanne Kasler for inspiring me.  An Interior Designer (by education), she has also collaborated with Lee Jofa to create beautiful trims, with Hickory Chair on a furniture line, with Visual Comfort on lighting, Ballard Design for accessories, as well as, forays into fine art and rugs.  Oh, and she is also the author of two beautiful books on interiors:  Timeless Interiors and Inspired Interiors.

European Sensibility . Cover of Inspired Interiors . Rizzoli

I appreciate that she doesn’t want to be put into some limiting design category.  She contends that her style encompasses the contemporary and traditional, high and low, sophisticated and casual.  That its sympathies lie with Europe (whoever would blame her for this?) and focus on architectural elements (you’ve got to have good bones, and if you don’t you must create them).

Kasper Living Room . luminous loveliness

She believes in white.  She layers it on in all its varying shades and …. voila it looks lovely.  I find this provides a moment of introspection for me because I am drawn to her spaces – which never feel boring, but I almost always paint my own.  I love color.  Kasler makes her white spaces sing with the introduction of color in accessories – and by contrast introducing incredible vibrancy that might go unnoticed against a bolder backdrop.

A room should be collected not decorated.

Ballard Design . Kasler’s Style made affordable!

Now to be clear, I could not hire Suzanne to design my spaces, but I can profit from her brilliant style all the same.  I pour over her books studying the particular ways in which she brings life to a room.  Make note of her philosophy that there should be one object in every room that is special to you, and to search for inspiration in every little thing you encounter from the darts on a stunningly structured evening gown, to the branches of a cherry blossom tree, inspiration abounds.