The design references Polly Fern has saved on her Instagram

Lisa & Neil

Since its inception, Instagram has been a source of inspiration and aspiration for many of us. It has given small businesses a platform to grow, and creatives a place to share their work and their artistry. In a new series, we explore the posts which have acted as a muse to some of the most exciting players in the design industry today. Perhaps it is a motif which they'd like to explore, the intriguing findings of an antique dealer, or even just a beautiful plate of food. We want to know what they're squirrelling away in their ‘saved posts’ box, to be returned to and drawn upon later.

Kicking things off is the designer, artist and ceramicist Polly Fern. She uses her surroundings and the abundant planting in her Suffolk garden to inspire her joyful, freehand illustrations, which began as one of a kind artworks and ceramics, and now have been translated onto wallpaper, textiles, ornaments and stationery. If you have a beady eye, you will have spotted her delightful, naïve depictions in many a room featured within the pages of House & Garden – and quite rightly, too: her style is effortless and uplifting, and brings a little joie de vivre to any space.

When it comes to inspiration, her sources are as varied as they are fascinating. From independent antique dealers to 17th Century Flemish artworks. Here are the posts that have caught her eye…

pollyfern.com | @pollyfern

I am often looking to textiles and lace as I find they really influence the way I decorate my ceramics. This Brooklyn-based organisation is devoted to the preservation of lace.

Again, more textiles. This time from Susy Stirrup who is a dealer based in Yorkshire and has a wonderful collection. The colours really pulled me in on this post.

A local East Anglian dealer, Julie Miles is one of my favourite homes to follow. The colours and layering of antiques and textiles are just perfect.

A post by Emma Mason of a detail of a portrait from the collections at Compton Verney. It's often the small details within these grand portraits that I find most interesting.

I have recently started following Alexander Widener, every time I see posts of this delightful yellow room It reminds me I really must paint somewhere a punchy yellow!

I’ve been restoring my 17th-century studio and wainscotting (i.e. wall panelling, like the above in the glorious basement snug of this Spitalfields House) has been on my mind for many months. I do enjoy a brown-painted bead and butt. It reminds me of sitting in the nooks of old pubs.

My friend Anna of Horror Vacui is a constant inspiration. I recently went to Berlin for Anna’s 10th-anniversary show, I admire her dedication to craft and hand-sewn details within her garments.

This is my Diamond Tulip wallpaper. I was so thrilled to see this wonderful project by Sarah Brown where the client has my work peppered throughout their home.

I adore everything about this pair of ceramic shoes circa 1720. The blue and black decoration is exquisite!

This tinker-repaired teapot caught my eye, I am drawn to the repairs on ceramics as they are an art form in themselves. I am also enjoying faux finishes on ceramics at the moment.