All posts tagged: Inspiration

Inspiration for next season’s home improvements

Inspiration for next season’s home improvements

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Experience personalised smart living (Control4) A truly smart home should feel effortless, intuitive, and uniquely yours. Control4 brings lighting, entertainment, climate, security and more together in one personalised system, giving you simple control from a touchscreen, remote, keypad or smartphone. Designed around the way you live, Control4 creates customised automations that enhance everyday moments, from setting the perfect atmosphere for an evening at home to simplifying your daily routine. During October, C4Yourself Events invites you to visit a Control4 certified showroom to experience personalised smart living for yourself. You can find a C4Yourself event near you and plan your visit via the Control4 website. Create a sofa as individual as your home (Poltrone) Born in Italy and built on a passion for beautiful, long-lasting furniture, poltronesofà is one of Europe’s largest sofa and armchair brands, and has been perfecting the art of comfort for more than 30 years. Its range …

‘My generation of novelists is dying’: Rose Tremain on 70 years of writing, and late-life inspiration | Books

‘My generation of novelists is dying’: Rose Tremain on 70 years of writing, and late-life inspiration | Books

Published by Sam Flores

My generation of writers is dying. Of Granta’s fabled list of 20 Best of Young British Novelists, 1983, six are gone, including our most princely satirist, Martin Amis. We’re all approaching birthdays where the cake is too small for the candles. Some of us are wounded: Salman Rushdie by an attacker’s knife, Julian Barnes lives with blood cancer, others with the fatal hurt of being forgotten. But what’s the likely fate of those of us who are surviving – for now? Do readers still love us? When Barnes announced that he was signing off because of illness, was he also intuiting that the younger generations had heard enough from us old birds and geezers who were young when Sean Connery had dimples, when David Hockney first coloured his hair yellow? The answer is probably “yes”. But here’s what I believe: contrary to what publishers hope and expect, serious writers don’t think obsessively about readers, or even about sales, royalties and prizes. What we talk to each other about, what we dream of, what we can’t live without is the work itself. When I …

Sharon Horgan reveals real-life inspiration for HBO Max comedy Youth

Sharon Horgan reveals real-life inspiration for HBO Max comedy Youth

Published by Daniella Wilson

Sharon Horgan, the creator of Pulling, Catastrophe and Bad Sisters, is back with a new comedy series titled Youth, which will debut this month on HBO Max. The synopsis for the series, which Horgan has both created and stars in, says that it follows “a 50-year-old divorcee’s search for sex and love whilst juggling caring for her ailing parents and parenting her should-be grown up son”. Now, Horgan has revealed the personal real-life inspiration behind the series, which has been in development for many years – in fact, since before Bad Sisters even began in 2022. “I don’t know exactly when I started, but it was before Bad Sisters,” Horgan said of her work on Youth, while speaking exclusively with Radio Times. “And I guess I was working on Bad Sisters for about five years altogether. So about seven years. “But it was the characters – the mother of a son and the Lorcan character and Patrick and my work colleague, but I hadn’t figured out the literary agency of it.” Sharon Horgan and Sharlene …

Romantasy Baby Name Inspiration For Your New Addition

Romantasy Baby Name Inspiration For Your New Addition

Published by Sam Flores

The recent news that Sarah J Maas is bringing out two new books in her hugely popular A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series, which follows the journey of Feyre Archeron as she journeys into the alluring yet deadly world of the Fae, left a lot of fans practically bursting with excitement. Across social media, influencers and avid book readers are already sharing the missed Easter eggs they’ve spotted in the Great ACOTAR Re-read ahead of the sixth book’s release. Meanwhile Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing, another best-selling fantasy series following the journey of Violet Sorrengail as she strives to become a dragon rider, is heading to Prime Video. Romantasy – an amalgamation of the romance and fantasy genres – is as popular as ever. So popular, in fact, that baby naming experts are noticing more people are naming their children after the characters in their favourite series. “Parents often look to their passions when choosing a baby name; it’s a great way to find something that truly feels special to them and sparks an …

Dolly: A Childfree Inspiration for Us All

Dolly: A Childfree Inspiration for Us All

Published by Jenni Sidey

Endowed as she was with the voice of an angel and a physicality she so adroitly applied for comedic purposes, Dolly Parton’s legacy will never be silenced. Dolly was not criticized for not having children. Instead, she’s heralded as a beacon of balance, generosity, and good humor. With no children of her own, Dolly’s Imagination Library benefits over three million youth aged five and younger around the world. Each month they receive books at no cost, planting seeds for future literacy and love of reading. “The seeds of dreams are often found in books,” she said, “and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” Giving is often without show, and efforts are often woven into our very character. Like Dolly, many of us who are without children equivocate when grilled about why we don’t have children. Part of the reason we don’t often tell our stories is that most involve the complexity and evolution included in living outside the mainstream of parenthood. Being non-parents is an element of our …

Green Day’s new comedy movie Nimrods draws inspiration from the band’s early years

Green Day’s new comedy movie Nimrods draws inspiration from the band’s early years

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Global punk rock sensation Green Day is branching out into filmmaking with “Nimrods,” a coming-of-age comedy drawing partial inspiration from their early years performing as musicians. Written and directed by Lee Kirk, the narrative follows three adolescents pursuing their shared musical dreams, a journey the band notes reflects key elements of its own rise. “The first dream we ever had was to play a gig and we finally got a chance to play a gig,” lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong said. Armstrong explained that Green Day’s ambitions expanded alongside their achievements, evolving from landing small gigs to filling stadiums and eventually producing a movie. Armstrong explained that Green Day’s ambitions expanded alongside their achievements, evolving from landing small gigs to filling stadiums and eventually producing a movie (Getty Images) Within the movie, Tommy, played by Mason Thames, aspires to open for …

Jonathan Anderson Takes Inspiration from Lynda Benglis for Dior Collection

Jonathan Anderson Takes Inspiration from Lynda Benglis for Dior Collection

Published by Jenni Sidey

Designer Jonathan Anderson has once again taken inspiration from the work of sculptor Lynda Benglis for his latest fashion show. The creative director of Dior since 2025, Anderson presented the house’s Fall Winter 2026-27 Haute Couture Show at the Musée Rodin in Paris on Monday, marking his second haute couture collection for Dior. “The collection responds, in the language of couture, to the work of American sculptor Lynda Benglis,” a description published on Dior’s website reads. “Many of the artist’s works begin in two-dimensional materials that are transformed, through knotting, pleating or moulding, into three. The art of couture enacts a similar shift: fabric is given sculptural form, accentuated when worn.” Related Articles The Benglis-inspired pleat work is visible in several garments in the collection, like a gray shawl, a bronze-and-gold top, and a silver gown that all employ the knotting to create an off-kilter bow. Several models also wore headpieces that resemble some of Benglis’s sculptures. Benglis also collaborated on some of the handbags featured in the show, according to WWD. A detail of …

Diane Morgan reveals real-life inspiration behind AI comedy Ann Droid

Diane Morgan reveals real-life inspiration behind AI comedy Ann Droid

Published by Daniella Wilson

Diane Morgan has co-created and stars in a new BBC comedy titled Ann Droid, which is set in 2029 and a world in which AI eldercare robots have been rolled out across the globe. Morgan plays Linda, an outdated model of robot who is bought by Paul Ready’s Michael for his mum Sue, played by Sue Johnston. Now, Morgan has revealed what specifically inspired the six-part series, saying: “I read a story in the paper which said that apparently they were rolling them [robots] out in Japan and I told Pippa [Brown] my producer and we started laughing about it. “It was also inspired by the time in lockdown when I decided to send my mum a tablet so she could do online shopping – she reacted like I’d sent her a nail bomb.” Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston star in Ann Droid. BBC / Boffola Pictures / Gary Moyes The synopsis for the series says: “In a world where AI is looming larger and ever present, Ann Droid asks the question: what is replaceable and …

Princess Beatrice served serious heatwave inspiration in plunging summer dress alongside Princess Eugenie

Princess Beatrice served serious heatwave inspiration in plunging summer dress alongside Princess Eugenie

Published by Daniella Wilson

While the UK navigates the soaring heatwave, we are looking to our favourite stars and royals for their killer summer looks – and these ensembles worn by Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie caught our attention.  Stepping out at the Boodles Boxing Ball at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in 2011, the royal sister duo battled the beating summer temperatures in dresses to die for. © Getty ImagesPrincess Beatrice looked gorgeous in the gown Beatrice wore a plunging patterned sundress which featured a chiffon skirt adorned with a lilac and green floral pattern. The stylish summer dress was complete with contrasting gold sequin trim. The royal completed her look with glittering stilettos, a navy blue sparkling clutch bag and a golden suntan. © Getty ImagesEugenie sported an all-black dress and a fringe Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie opted for an all-black ensemble, slipping into another black gown while stepping out alongside her sister. The long black gown featured ruffled sleeves decorated with silver circles.  The Princess also sported a stylish fringe for the evening, which saw her stepping out …

Blackpink’s Lisa says she turned to acting ‘to find inspiration’

Blackpink’s Lisa says she turned to acting ‘to find inspiration’

Published by Sam Flores

Lisa also feels she’s remained authentic to herself, regardless of her fame and success. Asked to compare her on-stage persona to her real-life self, Lisa explained: “I’m not trying to pretend that I’m someone else. It’s just me, plus a little more confidence.” In 2025, Lisa admitted that she feels proud of what she has accomplished with Blackpink. She told fashion magazine Elle: “When I’m onstage [with Blackpink], I share my energy with my members. If she gives 100, I’ll give 120. We can feel each other. And I love that energy.” Lisa has focused on her solo material in recent times, but she also remains committed to the girl group. She explained: “Of course, we’re continuing, for sure. “We’re so proud of Blackpink, and I love Blackpink. It is not just because of our fans, it’s for ourselves. There was no doubt. This is our life.” Lisa’s experience as a solo artiste has helped her to become more decisive in recent years, too. Lisa, who released her debut album Lalisa back in 2021, shared: …