Ann Maurice

As I always say, "The home is the metaphor of the Self".  I believe that one's home should not only reflect who they are, but should be designed and decorated in a manner conducive to bringing out the best in each person living there.  It is important for me to know a lot about a client before I start to work with them...how they want to use each room, what things they like about their home as it stands, what things they would change if they could, what they feel is missing.  That's the big brush-stroke.  Then I dig deeper in order to find out what colours, textures and shapes they respond to.  I use these parameters along with my expertise to develop a scheme that is personal, beautiful as well as practical.  In designing for others it's "All about them".
I get my inspiration from many sources.  Travel is one of the most inspiring, especially to foreign or exotic locations...the architecture, colours, fabrics, food, all of it inspires my design work.  I love markets and always seem to find something wonderfully unique in them.  I also love communing with nature as a means of slowing down and taking time out to see, really see its beauty.  All the design rules apply and are perfectly executed by nature herself...Colour, rhythm, texture, form, balance.  I've been known to collect flowers, stones, leaves, twigs and branches and replicate their properties in my schemes.