The Home Decor Designers Always Look for on Vacation – It Makes Every Space Feel More Personal
Planning a trip? Interior designers say to keep an eye out for these four timeless home treasures during your travels
To me, a vacation isn't just about the downtime; it's also about the shopping. Whether it's the Tamegroute pottery from Marrakesh I bring back each time I go or the vintage gems I've collected from Paris' many flea markets, the sign of a truly good trip is a suitcase filled with one-of-a-kind treasures to fill my home.
While some might limit vacation shopping to touristy keepsakes, I've learnt that buying pieces that you truly love is a far better investment; they'll forever remind you of your past ventures and give your home some character and meaning.
Whether you're looking to create an eclectic interior or you're trying to find the perfect gift, these are the pieces interior designers always look for when shopping for home decor on vacation, no matter where they are in the world.
1. Coffee Table Decor
Keep an eye out for coffee table decor on your travels, like a handmade vase or a trinket dish.
Coffee table decor needn't be limited to books and candles; in fact, they're the perfect vessel for displaying trinkets and treasures you've collected during your travels.
'While on vacation and shopping for decor, I try to look for items that are unique and cannot be found back home,' explains designer Daniela Alilovic, founder of Spaces By Dee. 'This means looking for items that tie back to the culture and customs of the country. In Japan, I picked up a beautiful handmade fan, which was easy to travel with and now acts as a decor piece, a part of my coffee table decor, which reminds me of the amazing trip I took to Japan and the Japanese culture.'
Meaningful keepsakes are one of this year's biggest coffee table trends. 'I style these decor pieces intentionally, and like to group pieces on my coffee table,' continues Daneila. 'A part of my coffee table decor, besides my Japanese fan, includes a coffee table book I picked up from Germany, as well as a book stand from Spain. Together, these create a unique story of my travels and start a conversation when hosting.'
2. Art
Artwork is always worth bringing back from vacation; it'll take you back to happy memories.
If you're looking to inject your home with charm, decorating with art is a good place to start. Art is the ultimate form of escapism; it's a visual reminder of a place, person, or period that you're fond of, which is why designers often keep an eye out for pieces on their vacations.
'Art is a great find; it's flat so it's easy to pack and is a great daily reminder of family memories,' says Katie Newcomb, founder of Kith & Kin Interiors. 'We like to buy art from locals rather than big stores or museum replicas. It doesn't have to be fancy; street vendors have wonderful options that won't break the bank.'
Whether it's a coastal landscape or a charming street scene of a local village, the artwork will transport you back to the time of your trip, whilst also bringing life into your home.
3. Tableware
From hand-painted plates to quirky cutlery, look out for unique tableware to grace your dining table.
While I've spotted irresistible pieces of furniture on vacation, smaller, nimbler decorations are far easier to transport. From vintage tableware to handcrafted pottery, invest in tabletop decor to give your dining room a little edge.
Look to local artisans when buying tableware, like designer Kelsey Peterson (founder of Style and Space), who sourced an array of gems from Martha's Vineyard. 'Every summer I spend two weeks on Martha's Vineyard with my entire family, siblings, kids, the whole group. Every year it means large family dinners, fresh-caught clams and mussels, cocktails on the porch and the kind of easy summer entertaining that I love most.'
'Two stores in Edgartown have become an annual pilgrimage for me,' Kelsey continues, 'Nell Home and Salte. I always gravitate toward beautiful entertaining pieces, cocktail napkins, platters, serving pieces, things that will be used immediately on that very trip and then come home and live in my cabinet for years of dinner parties to come. There is something so intentional about buying entertaining pieces in a place where you are actually entertaining. Every time I use them at home, they bring me right back.'
4. Rugs
Artisanal rugs are a timeless investment that will only get better with age.
'Textiles are worth investing in while abroad,' says designer Jessie Smart,
Co-founder of Home Carpet One, 'namely flatweave rugs and woven goods made with locally sourced fiber.'
While following rug trends is always a good idea, it's also wise to hunt for long-established styles, like vintage Persian rugs or kilims, depending on where you've travelled to. 'They lend themselves perfectly to your home’s interior and have a material quality that you’ll never find with mass-produced items,' adds Jessie. 'A flatweave acquired while traveling pairs beautifully with a larger neutral rug once you’re back home; it layers in pattern and origin without overwhelming your existing color story.'
'The variation in texture and color present in one handmade textile will tell a narrative a factory-made version simply cannot. One or two pieces picked up on a trip seem intentional and well collected. Pick up more than that, and it starts to feel like a museum of souvenirs.'
The Vacation Shopping Edit
'When I am traveling I am always looking for objects that tell a story and that I simply cannot find at home,' says Kelsey. 'The best vacation finds are the ones that carry the energy of where you were when you found them. They do not need to be expensive or even particularly rare. They just need to feel special and specific to that place and moment.'
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