Exploring home decoration: Unveiling unconventional sources of inspiration for your home makeover
Poonam Khanna, the founder and creative director of Unionworks, a New York-based design studio, believes that design is a conglomerate of the intentional and the fortuitous. Her design philosophy is rooted in staying open to new ideas and inspiration, even if they come from the most unexpected sources.
Khanna's design process is guided by inspiring coincidences and conscious decisions. She finds inspiration in the unlikeliest of places, blending architectural precision with soulful storytelling to create thoughtful interiors.
One such instance occurred on a blustery March day when Khanna and a new client took a walk and gathered rocks during their conversation about a project. It was during this walk that Khanna found design inspiration, comparing the conglomerate stone called Puddingstone to her design process. Just like Puddingstone, her designs are layered with textures, colours, patterns, and qualities of light.
This unexpected find served as the starting point for the project, leading to a completed design that showcases the essence of that afternoon. The project, with its unique textures, vibrant colours, and intriguing patterns, is a testament to Khanna's design philosophy.
Khanna's design style is soulful and layered, with a knack for finding beauty in the unexpected. For instance, an old house painted in a shade of acidic celadon became the new direction for the walls in her son's bedroom. Similarly, during a drive through coastal Virginia, she discovered a new paint colour for her son's bedroom.
In another instance, while travelling to Milan for Salone, Khanna and her partner found a rare Swedish rug by Marta Maas-Fjetterström in a small gallery on Via della Spiga. The unusual dimensions of the rug were a perfect fit for a project they had just begun.
For Khanna, design is also about being open to surprises. If unsure of where to start designing, she suggests taking a walk, noticing colours, and pausing at things that catch the eye. She encourages keeping eyes sharp and letting chance guide the design process.
Joining Homes & Gardens' By Design, Khanna continues to inspire with her unique and unpredictable design process, reminding us all that design is not just about following trends, but about finding inspiration in the most unexpected places.
