Das Stue Hotel in Berlin where we stayed a few years ago was full of modern German style inspo.

Every time I take a trip somewhere, be it far flung or the next town over, I tend to soak up the general feeling of the place like a sponge and I can’t help it. The styles of the buildings but more importantly whats inside. I study the little details closely and log them into my mental scrapbook of lovely things when I see something that gives me a happy feeling. And yes I tend to photograph as well but for the most part I really love absorbing the vibe.

If I spend long enough in a new space, it can actually persuade my personality and mental state. This had me thinking, “Surely the same affect happens at home.” So when I redecorated our London flat 3 years ago and then this new house last year I channeled some of the amazing places my husband and I had been together and transplanted them into our homes.

Doing it this way actually made planning out the designs and decorations quite easy because, if you think about it, grabbing inspiration from unique hotels, resorts, bars, lounges and sometimes restaurants means a lot of the hard work has been done for you. And believe me, there are some really talented and expensive interior designers behind a lot of it and you get to breeze in and copycat what you like for your own space. This means you can stay on budget AND bring that sweet vacation feeling into your daily life at home. Here’s a list of steps you can take to execute this with ease.

Take note of paint colors and wallpapers. If you find yourself feeling sooo gooood in a foreign space, it may have A LOT to do with whats covering the walls. Color is so so so important. For example, I have a small downstairs bathroom in my house that doesn’t have any windows. It was white and lit up like a damn space station when we bought it. I felt like anyone using this bathroom might leave with a tan! So, I pulled inspiration from a Swedish pub we frequent in London that has basement bathrooms made elegant by low lighting and charcoal blue walls with all gold fixtures.
Quirky lighting can make a huge impact. We took lots of pictures of interesting lamps, wall lighting and ceiling pendants we saw at various establishments then used them to buy similar styles at our budget. A plain, boring, everyday lamp does not exist in this house.
Pay close attention to decorative objects and artwork. It could be something as simple as a gold plated tortoise or a painting of a bowl of oranges that evokes that just right feeling. Having these things around the house is like having happiness mementos at every turn.
Think about a place you visit over and over again, your happy place, and dedicate a room in your house to that. I’ve decorated my loft lounge area in a blend of Mexico and New Mexico and it’s impossible to not be immediately mentally transported to the calm of the dessert in this space.
If you’re happiest outdoors, bring those elements indoors! I have plants in every room of my house, even the bathrooms. There are also a ton of natural textures and objects that give a nice sense of earthly goodness: anything made with mango wood; crystals, rocks and stones; animal hides and sheepskin; rattan furniture and wood fire incense.

Pulling Inspiration from Your Travels into Your Home