Mood Board: 5 Things That Inspire Designer Louis Duncan-He

1. Meditation

Running a small business is a lot of things: incredibly rewarding, but at times overwhelming and filled with pressure and responsibility. I’ve introduced meditation into my life by sitting in silence for 15 minutes every morning and focusing on my breath and daily affirmations. It’s a simple practice that brings immense clarity, peace and stillness. My husband has noticed a big difference!

2. Great Lighting

Lighting has always inspired me because, in addition to function, it can add so much tension and drama to a room—case in point, the “lasso” chandelier in our Bragg Creek project, made from a flexible silicone LED tube. With my background in creative advertising and lifelong passion for artistry, I see lighting as one of the most crucial elements in interior design—the jewellery to a space. This fall, I’m launching a lighting line that is inspired by nature and crafted with a fluid and earthy design sensibility. Stay tuned to our website for the official launch!

3. My Sanctuary, the Living Room

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the living room is its soul. When I designed my living room, my partner and I had one requirement: it needed to be a space where it was physically difficult to feel stress. I brought in a spa-like palette with a mix of Parisian and global inspiration and I can say with certainty that my living room is one of my most used rooms in the house: it has hosted everything from karaoke disco parties and Netflix binge fests to sentimental conversations with a glass (or bottle) of wine.

4. Fashion

When I get stuck during a client briefing, I’ll ask to take a walk through their closet—it can say so much about who someone authentically is (or aspires to be). Fashion has always been such an important part of my personal expression because creativity and design are ultimately fluid. Interiors influence art, which borrows from fashion, which takes inspiration from products—it’s a cycle. I once developed an entire design scheme for a client’s home based on an amazing ombré pleated skirt I saw in her closet.

5. Travel to Japan

Everyone I know has talked about their visits to Japan as being an extraordinary experience. Well, this wondrous country exceeded my already-high expectations. I’m currently building a house, and our entire ensuite bathroom has taken inspiration from an onsen (traditional Japanese bath). And the shopping is also incredible: I ended up having to buy a new suitcase to bring home some of my treasures (including a vintage ’70s army jumpsuit—yes!).

6. Tennis

I love playing tennis, following it  and watching it (fun fact: I was once a nationally ranked tennis player). As a child who was never really interested in sports, I once saw two juniors hitting down the line during a practice session with such grace—I didn’t know a sport could be so visually beautiful. And  so, at the ripe age of seven, I picked up a racquet and never looked back. At the end of a hard day, nothing beats passing someone at the net with an inside-out forehand drive volley.

This story was originally published in the September/October 2024 issue of Western Living magazine.