High on Hicks - Design From a David

David Hicks has become a great source of inspiration for modern day designers like Jonathan Adler, and, for that matter, myself for a good reason. He was a master at creating beautiful rooms that were both formal and casual at the same time. His ability to mix traditional and modern pieces and his bold use of color (traits he shares in common with Eero Saarinen) make his interiors both serious and whimsical at the same time.

In the 1970's, he published a series of decorating books that are a bit hard to come by now-a-days. I was lucky enough to get my hands on David Hicks - On Decorating with Fabric a while back, and it's been a joy to study his work.

Some of what he does has an almost candy like quality to it. The rooms look good enough to eat, bursting with flavor. these are a few of my favorite plates from the above mentioned book. I hope you'll find them as inspiring as I do.

This was his own bedroom in New York.

I love the use of lacquered walls in the two images above.

This dining nook is a good example of the mixing of modern and traditional. The architecture in the room has a decidedly antique quality and he mixes it with modern Saarinen tulip chairs and table.

The attention to detail and boldness of spirit are definitely an inspiration to me. I hope they are to you as well! Who are some of your design inspirations? Could you live in a David Hicks room?