Interior design inspiration can be picked up everywhere. Rent a movie, or go to the theatre in search of beautiful sets. Buy interior design magazines every month and tear out pages that inspire you.
A trip to a museum can throw up unexpected inspiration. An exhibition of fabrics can spark an idea for a window treatment. The colour of a dress might spark an idea for a wall colour, while a piece of ceramic might be just the look you want to recreate on a floor.
For example, I love the colour combination in this rug from Oriental Rugs on Francis Street in Dublin (01-4531222). It could be the starting point for any style of room. This shop always has beautiful quality rugs at accessible prices. Owner Mahmut Balkir really knows his stuff.