Making the switch from traditional to modern isn't always easy. It can be hard to find the right avenues for inspiration that speak to your modern tastes and lifestyle. Today I'll share three ways to get inspired when you are in that 'dreaming' phase of considering a modern new home build or renovation.

1. Experience Modern Design In-person

Every opportunity you get! Immersion is a great way to find inspiration. Attending design relevant events and traveling are two ways that I recommend for jumpstarting the idea phase of your project.

Events

Attend home tours focused on modern residential design and architecture. Skip the builder show cases and opt for events that curate designer-led or architect-led projects.

My favorite local event: AIA Houston Home Tour It takes place every fall and features a number of architecturally significant homes that you can walk though over a weekends' time. If you aren't in Houston, check with you local chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for events in your area.

AIA Home Tour day is my favorite “Design Day” of the year. So much inspiration and on/off of the blue shoe covers- IYKYK, right? Here’s a few from the 2022 Tour (sadly, no photos allowed inside the homes). Catch our Story Highlight HERE.

Other home tours include:

American Society of Interior Designers Texas Gulf Coast Show House Tour - stay tuned for 2023 dates.
Modernism Week (Southwest- Palm Springs) October 19-22, 2023
Modern Richmond Week (East coast) May 16-20, 2023
Events by the Modern Architecture and Design Society (various locations)

Local universities with architecture and design programs may also have events that are open to the public, such as lectures, portfolio exhibits and walking tours. The Rice Design Alliance is a great example of this in the Houston Metro area.

These types of events get you rubbing shoulders with other design enthusiasts and knowledgeable contacts like docents, building product representatives, modern home trades people and often the architects and designers themselves. Ask questions. Learn about the building techniques for modern homes. Hear stories about how much thought, coordination, effort and craftsmanship goes into those clean, crisp, minimalist details that result a stunning modern home.

Travel

Travel is an amazing way to experience design. Often you move through many formally 'designed' spaces such as airports, restaurants, and hotels. You many also have more opportunities to visit architecturally relevant landmarks, like notable libraries, museums and monuments. Lastly, take the opportunity to browse boutique home stores or showrooms that you may not have or visit regularly in your own hometown.

How to make the most of your experience:

While you are immersed in spaces that inspire you:

Spend time observing the way you feel in the space (relaxed, energized, peaceful, connected, inspired, etc).
Note what is different from your current space that might be making your feel that way (natural light, views of nature, everything in it's place/organized, etc.).
Take some snapshots (if permitted) of unique details that speak to you.

2. Follow Your Style

Follow social accounts of designers, architects and high level master builders that share your same style goals. This can give you a lot of visual inspiration and education for what is possible. It is like having an inside perspective on design trends, building tips, and reviews of products and materials that might be a good fit for your future space.

My favorites to follow:

Build with Matt Risinger @risingerbuild (TIP: Matt also has a rockin' YouTUBE channel where he posts his BUILD Show videos, chock full of helpful information on modern home building practices and building science).
Karen & John from Destination Eichler @destinationeichler
Modern Houston Homes @modernhoustonhomes
For a dash of self-promotion, I'll include our sister site Hello Crofts that details our own personal modern home building journey. @hellocrofts

3. Record Your Inspiration

One way to communicate your design inspiration to others is through visuals, like photos, sketches, and floor plans examples. I always recommend starting projects with visual research. Finding visuals that inform others in your team of what you have in mind is critical to the design process.

Get started

Start collaborating with your team (spouse, design team, etc.) and keeping track of what appeals to your senses and overall design aesthetic. Find whichever tool (see below for my favorites) works best for you and start saving your ideas into a curated set of visuals specific to your tastes.

The first step in the design process is to gather information, you can analyze later. So, save what you like, even if you don't know why you like it. Make sure to note what it is that caught your attention (pendant light, window placement, paint color, etc.) if you can.

My favorite ways to save and share inspiration: Shared Pinterest boards and shared Houzz Ideabooks or even just a Google Doc that you can share access from anywhere on a smart device.

Lastly, if online tools aren't your thing, it's ok to go analog! Pull out your style file and load it up with magazine clippings, brochures, photos and other things that you have saved related to your design inspiration. Don’t forget to edit over time as you tastes evolve.