How to use Pinterest for inspiration, not instruction
We see incredible designs come through our studio every day. People arrive with their phones, find a Pinterest image they love, and create something beautiful by following it closely and the results are often brilliant.
But when you're ready to move away from replication and try something more your own, here's how to use Pinterest differently.
what actually draws you in?
Next time you're scrolling and you stop at a design that makes you think "yes, that's the one," pause for a second. Ask yourself: what is it about this piece that grabbed you?
What do you like about the design? Is it the colour?
Is it the colours?
Maybe it's not the actual design you love—it's that perfect combination of sage green and terracotta, or the way navy and gold sit together. Make a note of those colours. You don't need to paint the same vase or plate; you can use that palette on any piece in your own way.
Is it a pattern or texture?
Perhaps you're drawn to geometric shapes, or the way dots are arranged in a gradient, or a marbled effect. You can take that pattern idea and apply it completely differently. Loved the polka dots on a mug? Try them on a plant pot instead. Saw stripes on a plate? Put them on a bowl.
Is it the overall vibe?
Sometimes it's not one specific element—it's the feeling. Modern and minimal. Bright and playful. Earthy and organic. Once you identify the vibe, you can create something that fits that mood without copying the exact piece.
build a mood board, not a to-do list
Instead of saving one pin and treating it like a blueprint, save several that share something in common. Maybe they all use similar colours, or they all have that hand-painted, slightly imperfect charm you're after.
When you look at them together, you'll start to see themes. That's your creative direction—not one single image you're trying to recreate.
mix and match elements
Here's where it gets fun. Take the colour palette from one pin, the pattern style from another, and the shape or layout from a third. Suddenly you're not copying—you're creating something new that's influenced by things you love.
For example:
Colours from a sunset photo + polka dot pattern from a ceramic pin + your own wonky, hand-drawn circles = something entirely yours
"mix and match elements"
Floral arrangement colours + abstract brush strokes + a mug shape = a unique piece no one else has made
trust your instincts
You don't need to follow someone else's design to make something beautiful. If you like a colour, use it. If you want to try a technique, try it. If something feels right, it probably is.
Pinterest is brilliant for sparking ideas, but your hands, your choices, and your creative instincts are what make a piece special.
give yourself permission to experiment
The beauty of using Pinterest as inspiration rather than instruction is that there's no "right" answer. You're not trying to match a photo. You're exploring. You're playing. You're making something that didn't exist before you sat down.
And honestly? The pieces people are most proud of are usually the ones where they took a risk, tried something different, and surprised themselves.
so next time you're scrolling....
Don't ask "how do I copy this?"
Ask:
What do I love about this?
How can I use this idea in my own way?
What would happen if I combined this with that?
Your creativity is already there. Pinterest is just the nudge.