As entrepreneurs, we are constantly seeking inspiration that will fuel our creativity and enable us to produce our best work. It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for inspiration to strike. But the truth is that it’s all around us. Inspiration can be found in the patterns of a rug or the colors of a sunset. The lines of a building, the textures of a dress, or even the people we meet on our travels. By opening ourselves up to the world around us, we can find design inspiration anywhere. In interior design, through travel, fashion, architecture, culture, nature, and more.
Welcome to my new blog series, The Inspiration Edit. In this series, we’ll explore the many different places you can find design inspiration to channel into your work. For the first blog post in this series, I shared where I found inspiration for my own business Briarcroft Lane. I highly recommend going back and reading it if you haven’t already. It will give you insight into what you can expect this series to look like. I also explore different ideas of where we can draw inspiration from. For this edition of The Inspiration Edit let’s dive into a place with endless inspiration, the place I grew up: the West Coast!
West Coast Design Inspiration
The West Coast of the United States is known for being a melting pot of cultures, and this diversity is reflected in its architecture, art, fashion, and design. In Los Angeles, you’ll find a blend of modernist and mid-century architecture that’s unique to Southern California. The iconic Hollywood Sign, Beverly Hills mansions, and Venice Beach boardwalk are just a few examples of the region’s eclectic aesthetic. Further north, in the Bay Area, you’ll find a mix of contemporary, industrial, and Victorian architecture. San Francisco’s Painted Ladies and the Golden Gate Bridge are two symbols of the city’s rich history and progressive nature. The Pacific Northwest has its own distinct style, with rustic timber homes, quaint cottages, and sleek modern designs that merge with the natural beauty of the region.
The Industries that Call the West Coast Home
But it’s not just the architecture that draws designers to the West Coast. It’s also the creativity and the people who call it home. The West Coast has been a leader in the fashion and tech industries for decades. This has translated into innovative design concepts that push boundaries and start trends.
A Little Bit of Everything
I grew up in California, 30 minutes outside of Los Angeles – without traffic, that is – in a small town nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains called Glendora. Living so centrally in Southern California offered so many opportunities for adventure. Summer days in Malibu, afternoons in Los Angeles, a weekend trip to San Francisco, warm summer nights in Palm Springs. Camping in Joshua Tree and Yosemite, road trips to Mexico, winter drives to Big Bear, just to name a few. The West Coast really does have it all. I couldn’t think of a better place kick us off with pulling inspiration from unique places.
Final Thoughts on West Coast Design Inspiration
Whether you’re drawn to the laid-back beach vibes of Southern California or the urban energy of San Francisco, there’s something on the West Coast that can inspire your next project. Take a walk through the bustling streets of Los Angeles or the tranquil beauty of Big Sur, and you’ll see how the West Coast has influenced creatives across the world and become a playground for designers seeking inspiration.
With its diverse landscapes, cultures, and architecture, the West Coast offers a wealth of creative ideas that can inform your next design project. So why not take a virtual trip out West with me and scroll through the inspiration in this blog post to see for yourself what all the fuss is about? You never know what kind of inspiration you might find.
Welcome – I am so happy you’re here!
I’m Christiana Nicole, brand strategist, Showit website designer, and founder of Briarcroft Lane Design Studio. I specialize in branding, website design, and business strategy for creative entrepreneurs and small business owners like yourself. It’s an absolute pleasure to have you here!
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My ultimate goal is to provide female founders with a thoughtful brand and website built to connect and convert, while also arming you with the clarity and courage to show up confidently as the expert you are. Whether you’re interested in a custom branding project, a Showit website, or expedited experiences The Brand Blueprint and The Online Presence, I’m here to help you elevate your brand.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can collaborate, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email me or send me a DM – my inbox is always open! Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope to see you around here more often!
xo Christiana
