So where do you look for design ideas and color inspiration? All around you! From the patterns in nature to the fashion magazine on your coffee table, design sources are abundant. Go for a walk and really observe and seek out color and designs. It's a whole new way of seeing the world.

Here are just a few hints to spark your creativity and heighten your awareness to sources of inspiration.

Travel - think about the great color palettes of scenery from destinations like Santorini, Greece, or the warm earthly colors of the adobes in New Mexico

Souvenirs - great colors and design of a Moroccan drum

Paint Color Chips - check out your local home improvement stores and you'll be amazed at the wonderful color palettes and brochures available for mixing colors. Some of the paint companies now have innovative online tools as well, such as Benjamin Moore Paint's Personal Color Viewer. Try them!

Candy and Food - consider the colors of candies such as Good 'N Plenty, Skittles or M&M's and the colors of their packaging. What about creamy ice cream colors like pistachio or a Neopolitan mix?

Photos - open a favorite photo in your graphics program, click around with the color dropper and find your favorite colors, like these taken from the photo at the left.

Nature - the person that said "the colors of nature never clash" was right. From these highly polished river rocks, to the color of a brilliant sunset to the greens of this plant, they're all great color palettes. Think about the colors of different seasons, or a beach or a desert. Nature is the best source of inspiration we have.

Fabrics, Textiles, Rugs - look closely at the colors of a Turkish rug or a Mexican serape. They're great!

Spices - these Indian spices, including curry and saffron for example, combine for a beautiful color combination.

Ceramic Tiles - this Turkish tile has wonderful colors and any store selling ceramic tiles will be a great source for color and pattern.

These are just a few ideas... now find what inspires YOU!