Do you Love the Idea? Steal It!
Really? Yes, you heard it from The-DSA. Steal or get inspired by creative ideas or products you love…but there are guidelines for the “grab”. Pinterest, Houzz and shelter magazines are all driven by creating a desire so strong you want to mimic what you see. By triggering this “must have” feeling, they sell product, ad space and achieve their “go to” status. Recently, I decided to reduce the number of magazines I received by asking myself which have the most ideas I would love to steal or inspire me. (Feel free to steal my selections: Southern Living, HGTV and Celebrate.)
When to Steal an Idea:
-Inspiration for bigger design ideas.
-Mixing and blending design elements to suit your style and personality.
-Courage to head down a new path…style, design or otherwise.
We’ve always heard, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”, but you need to be sure to give credit where credit is due.
- Take Credit for Inspired Projects: This project is a perfect example. This Anthropologie Globe ($128-198) inspired many pins, which jumpstarted major creativity. Give Anthropologie credit for hitting the “I want that” nerve. But the final inspired version-that credit goes to the creator.
- Take Credit for your fresh spinon a current trend or style. No one gets to hog, trademark or guilt
you into a design pigeonhole. Your entire neighborhood, along with you, may like teal, the new
turquoise. Use it if you love it but in a fresh way, not by shopping at the same stores and buying the same teal accessories.
Always think of how you can put the “Me” spin on ideas you steal. For example, love burlap on a Christmas tree, take yours a new direction by mixing it with anything others aren’t using. Let others inspire you but always make it yours.
- Give credit to the creator if you are using their photo, design or mimicking the idea exactly. Share the source and give kudos to the original.
Curating great ideas moves you to a trend spotter status. You may not have originated the idea but you are smart and talented enough to recognize its value.
Author: Sandra Racz
Sandra Racz operates Signature Redesign LLC and The Decorating and Staging Academy. She has been a professional real estate stager since 2004. Racz, services Scottsdale, AZ and Denver, CO. Sandra’s successful career and happiness in the industry inspired her to help others turn their love for decorating into a business. As the Executive Director of The Decorating and Staging Academy, Sandra also offers training in Color, Home Staging, and Interior Decorating, Seasonal Decorating and Event Planning. Sandra was recently voted One of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging, by The Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®). She has won national awards in the categories of Interior Redesign, Interior Decorating and Real Estate Staging. She has been featured in numerous magazines, local newspaper articles and has trained and lectured to thousands of decorating and event professionals. Sandra is a firm believer in giving back to the community by coordinating projects for Habitat for Humanity, the Cancer Society, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Autism Speaks and serves on several boards. Sandra holds a B.S. in Marketing from Florida State University and a M.B.A. from Troy University. She has held multiple positions in marketing and advertising and taught college-level business classes.