BRING THE SPIRT OF TRAVEL INTO YOUR HOME
Last month, Mark and I spent two glorious weeks in Italy. It was his first time in the country and only my second (the first being over 30 years ago!). What a magical place–the architecture, the art, the cities, the countryside, and of course the food! There was so much beauty to take in it got us thinking, how can we bring the spirit of this trip back and incorporate it into our home? So, I made a list (one of my favorite things to do) and thought I’d share it with you.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is bringing home a few memorable souvenirs and believe me we did that. We had to buy an extra suitcase to bring back our haul! But we wanted to take this travel décor idea beyond a nice knickknack or two that might just sit on a shelf. We tried to think of how Italy excited all of our senses and how that could be brought into our living spaces.
1.) ARTWORK
One of the easiest ways to bring home a meaningful memento of your travels is purchase a piece of art. Whether it’s a simple print by a street vendor, a stylish poster, a professional photograph or charming piece of pottery, you’ll have a lasting piece of the culture that will add originality and spirit to your home. The below artist from Montepulciano paints joyous watercolor paintings using materials from the countryside itself. She even paints with wine!
2.) COLOR PALETTE
Whether it’s a burnt orange terracotta wall from a rustic café or the teal-colored water of the Aegean Sea, consider colors that made an impression on you from your trip. Look through your trip photos to refresh your memory and pick a favorite or two. You can incorporate these colors into your home with paint, wallpaper and/or accessories like a throw for your couch or a few accent pillows.
3.) TILE
The flooring in Italy was to die for. If you’re updating a space, maybe a backsplash or a powder room floor, consider pulling inspiration from tile you saw on your trip. You can search for “Italian tile” or “Spanish tile” or wherever your travels may have taken you for a reminder or additional inspriation.
4. SMELLS
Stick with me on this one. I know it’s a bit unexpected. But one of the things that struck Mark and I in Italy was how fresh everything smelled. The scent of rosemary was everywhere! Other amazing scents in the countryside included lavender, spruce and roses. The easiest way to bring memorable scents into your home is with an essential oil diffuser.
5. LINENS
I love European textiles and linens. The sheets on this bed at our Airbnb in Florence were SO SOFT it made me want to upgrade our bedding as soon as we got home. High thread count sheets and quality bedding are little luxuries you can enjoy every night!
Next time you return from a big trip, think about how your destination made you feel and how you can bring that feeling into your home. Whether it’s through art, color, texture, scents or whatever else comes to mind, we hope you found a few new ideas to inspire you. Ciao Bella! Spero di rivederti presto!