Showrooms and magazines are great, but my favorite design inspiration comes from traveling.
There’s something about being somewhere new that makes you notice things differently-the colors you might normally overlook, an unexpected combination of patterns, the way a room connects to the outdoors, or a material used in an unexpected way.
For me, travel isn’t about bringing a destination home. It’s about bringing the feeling of that place home.
Look beyond the obvious
One personal example is Mexico. I love traveling here. I love the confidence with which color, pattern, natural materials, and handmade details are used together.
What stayed with me wasn’t necessarily one particular selection, but the willingness to think beyond the expected.
Travel is a good reminder that design doesn’t have to follow a formula. Pairing unexpected colors, choosing a bolder tile, or incorporating something imperfect can be exactly what is missing. The most surprising of moments could be the one that pulls it all together.
Bring home the feeling
When you return home from a trip, think about what you actually loved about being there.
Was it the relaxed feeling of a resort? The vibrant colors of a market? Natural materials, or the way indoor and outdoor spaces flowed together? These are the things worth bringing home.
The goal isn’t going to be to recreate your favorite destination, but to let your experiences influence the way you live at home.
Let your home tell your story
I believe the most interesting homes feel personal. They aren’t perfectly coordinated, but thoughtfully collected.
Details that might seem small often give a home it’s personality. Think a piece of art from a trip, a color that reminds you of a favorite place. A texture that takes you back to a particular moment.
Next time you travel, bring your designer’s eye with you. Notice the colors, materials, architecture, and details that make a place feel special. You might be surprised by what comes home with you.
To me, this is the best kind of design inspiration.
