Interior Design Inspired by Travel
One of the most beautiful aspects of interior design is how personal it can become—how spaces begin to reflect not just your taste, but your experiences, your memories, and even the places that have taken your breath away. As a designer, I find endless inspiration in the world outside my studio, and lately, that inspiration came from the open road.
This summer, I took a road trip through Utah with my mom and daughter, joining the rest of our family in Salt Lake City to celebrate my father’s 90th birthday. It was a meaningful trip on many levels, but as we drove through the state, I was struck once again by how visually powerful nature can be and how deeply it can inform design.
The landscapes in Utah are unlike anywhere else. The towering red rock formations of Arches National Park, the windswept deserts with their warm, sandy tones, and the soft greens of sagebrush blanketing the valley. The pine-covered mountains, glassy alpine lakes, and winding rivers cutting through canyons. Every turn of the road offered a new palette, a new texture, a new feeling, and with it, design ideas began to form.
The dramatic contrasts in Utah’s terrain are what make it so inspiring. From the soft, rounded red rocks of the desert to the sharp peaks of the Wasatch Range, every landscape carries a mood. And each one offers something to bring home. All of it felt like a living mood board.
As I traveled, I couldn’t help but imagine how these colors, textures, and shapes could live inside a home.
The warm desert tones—terracotta, rust, ochre— offer a sense of grounded warmth. These colors translate beautifully into tiled walls, upholstery, ceramics, and even textured plaster finishes.
The deep greens of the forest pines and aspens remind me of natural wood finishes, moody velvet textiles, and handwoven rugs. These tones bring a sense of calm and rootedness to a space.
The cool colors of alpine lakes and mountain shadows are perfect for a serene mood in the room. They create spaces that feel both luxurious and peaceful.
The flowing lines of rivers and the shimmer of light on water inspire more than color—they suggest movement, softness, and ease. That might show up in the shape of a curved sofa, a rippled light fixture, or flowing drapery.
Travel like this helps me reconnect to the purpose of design, not just to make something beautiful, but to make something felt. When a home reflects a meaningful place or a powerful experience, it tells a deeper story. Whether it’s a favorite vacation, a childhood landscape, or a dream destination, the emotion and energy of a place can be brought home through thoughtful color, form, and material choices.
If you’ve traveled recently or have a destination that lives in your heart, I’d love to explore how we can translate that inspiration into a space that feels both elevated and deeply personal.
Because the best designs, like the best trips, stay with you.
