Caffeine-inspired designing

I often say that inspiration comes in many forms — but what I don’t say is that it can be hard to come by. Many times I’m up early in the morning with my cup of coffee, or late at night with my decaf, trying to find an idea or design-related tip to share with you.

Today, my cup of Joe literally was my inspiration. Now I know this column is about décor, and I talk a lot about form and function. But why can’t that relate to taste as well? And by that I don’t mean good taste, I mean something that tastes good and is an integral part of our home.

Most of us are addicted to our quick morning fix, and there’s an ongoing debate about Keurig versus Nespresso. So let’s talk about the two.

Let’s start with the look. For me, this one goes to Nespresso for its sleek design. It has a clean, minimalist European look, comes in a variety of colors, and for the most part takes up less counter space — always a plus.

Cost has to go to Keurig. Both machine and pods are less expensive. Pods are about 60 cents on average, versus about 70 to 90 cents for Nespresso.

Convenience also goes to Keurig. You can get those pods anywhere. If you live in Hawaii, Nespresso’s pods have to be exclusively bought online through Nespresso.

Next, is taste. Hands down, Nespresso wins on this one. With their crema — the foam that comes out with each espresso — americano or cappuccino, it’s just a much bolder, richer taste in every cup. And it tastes fresher.

And finally, something very important to me: accessories. As you can see in the photo, Nespresso has some great ones. There are lots to choose from, like these espresso cups with smart black saucers and this crisp white cappuccino set. But my absolute favorite thing is their new partnership with Riedel — the renowned wineglass maker — which now makes crystal, espresso tasting glasses for Nespresso. The tempered glasses have heavy bases and come in two sizes, just like wine glasses. I love that Nespresso pays as much attention to form as it does to its coffee.

So whether you get a Keurig, Nespresso or another machine, find one you can afford, suits your design style and allows you to stop for a minute to truly enjoy your brew. In our crazy lives, why not enjoy beautiful taste — in beautiful style — before we rush out the door in the morning?

Cathy Lee is a home style expert, speaker, president and designer of Cathy Lee Style. Her redesigns of residential and business spaces have been featured in local and national publications and on HGTV. For more info and inspiring photos of design projects, visit cathyleestyle.com. And keep up with Cathy’s dream home makeover at her photo blog, Homefront.