My trip to Japan offered an inundation of subdued color and texture. The cherry blossoms were at their zenith and their beauty rejuvenated my spirit. The contrast of the tree’s strength and delicacy displayed the brilliance of design found in the natural world. Since returning home I have been looking at the oaks in St. Helena with a new found appreciation, in fact I now discover new and amazing trees each day. This seems to play a part in why I love wood grain rugs and patterns that vary not necessarily in color but in value. I also love how the wood grain’s asymmetry bends and twists as nature often does.

“I think I will be like this little man and just pick up one leaf at a time…solve each design challenge as carefully and thoughtfully as he…”

The Japanese have three distinct kinds of pathways; formal, informal and very informal, each with its own place. The Katsura garden was designed to let the viewers experience each type of pathway as part of a complete experience. This has led me to look differently at the pathways in my projects, considering whether or not I too have accomplished a complete experience for my client. (Click on the thumbnails to see larger images).

My favorite tea room was hundreds of years old, so ancient and yet so contemporary. The plaster walls had imprints of bamboo that showed through in their surface. The room also had blue and white check, a delightful color combination that I plan to integrate into a future project. These kinds of things serve as inspiration for my work. I think deeply about them, remember how they felt and eventually the universe finds a place for me to incorporate them. I try to reinterpreted these ideas that hearken back 500 years but wonder if there is really anything new.

“Is there any adventure not rich in jewelry of the past?”

I loved this room dating from the 16th century. It had beautiful european velvet cut into silver leaf wallpaper. These wall treatments let me know we are just scratching the surface of possibilities for sources of inspiration in design.

Jessica Hall Grace