Working in a creative industry like interior and furniture design, we find inspiration everywhere. Many times it is visual inspiration, but sometimes spoken words can have a great impact on a person’s sense of design. Below are a few mantras from influential designers that have resonated with us.

Do you have a favorite design mantra or quote that inspires your design? Tell us on Instagram using #holdithome!

Andrée Putman

“For a house to be successful, the objects in it must communicate with one another, respond and balance one another.” 

A renowned French interior and product designer, Putnam focused on space and light to create minimalist, elegant spaces with very little excess. Here is one of her interiors:

Philippe Starck

“A designer has a duty to create timeless design. to be timeless you have to think really far into the future, not next year, not in two years but in 20 years minimum.”

Starck’s most famous design has to be the Ghost chair for Kartell, shown below, and which we carry at Hold It. 

Vladmir Kagan

“Chairs are uniquely the best expression of design. They encompass more of the challenges by which I live and work than any other single component of furniture.”

You may recognize Kagan’s famous curving sofa, shown on the left. Below is his most well-known chair design. We still see the influence of this design in products today.

 

David Collins

“What is quality? Quality design must have a sense of authenticity. My work is not cutting edge, it is not supposed to be – but sometimes, the middle of the road is the most dangerous place to walk.”

Collins was an Irish architect & designer who was influential on the interiors of bars and restaurants in London throughout his career.

Charles & Ray Eames

“The details are not the details, they make the design.”

The Eames’ were the husband and wife team of American designers who made significant historical contributions to the development of modern architecture and furniture design. Among their most well-known designs is the Eames Lounge Chair, shown below.