I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love, love, love warm weather! It makes me appreciate Chicago summers and question at the slightest hint of chilly air why I live in the Midwest. Seeing that warm summer-like spring days are far and few between (or maybe it’s just that I am constantly holding my breath in expectation of snow in July), I spend as much time as possible outside. Today was perfect, sushi on the patio at RA Sushi near-ish my office.
It’s already common knowledge that I’m an all around interior design nerd, and furniture nerd… Anyways, sitting down on the patio, my design girls and I were chatting about sushi, ice cream and our appreciation of the sunny day and sunglasses when I said, “Hey! This fabric is from Anzea!” Heads were shaken, and we briefly digressed to shop talk before indulging in sushi. Isn’t it interesting how when you’re passionate about something, you notice it everywhere?
Interior design elements surround us and gently lead us through life. Interior design helps us navigate through public spaces and understand where private spaces begin. We collect visual cues and subconsciously allow those cues to direct us.
The way the walls open to the outside patio at RA Sushi for instance leads the casual diner to the outside, almost without realizing it. Umbrellas are strategically placed to encourage conversation and a more intimate atmosphere than a completely open space would. Dark finishes give a sense of mystery and lend to the trendiness of the establishment. The feel of RA Sushi is much different from that of the local all you can eat place that has an acoustic drop ceiling and a couple Japanese lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
Many small things contribute to making a space feel unique and original. When small details are pulled together into a collective environment, it becomes interior design. Interior design is everywhere, influential and impactful.