What Traveling Has Taught Me About Good Design

People often ask where I find inspiration for my designs.

Of course, I save images on Pinterest and keep up with what's happening in the design world. But if I'm being honest, some of my greatest sources of inspiration have very little to do with social media.

They come from traveling.

Every place I've visited has taught me something different about design, architecture, craftsmanship, and the way people live. While the landscapes, cultures, and homes may look completely different from one destination to the next, I've noticed that the places that stay with me tend to have a few things in common: they're connected to their surroundings, built with intention, and designed to stand the test of time.

Here are a few of the lessons I've collected along the way.

Provence & The South of France

If there's one place that constantly inspires me, it's the South of France.

The homes feel as though they've grown directly from the landscape. The limestone walls, weathered shutters, climbing vines, gravel courtyards, and soft, earthy colors all belong exactly where they are.

Nothing feels forced. Nothing feels trendy.

What I love most is that these homes seem to get better with age. The worn stone, the faded finishes, the colorful homes along the southern coast, and the imperfections that have developed over time only add to their character.

It's a reminder that timeless design isn't about creating something perfect. It's about creating something that becomes more beautiful as the years go by.

Tuscany, Lake Como & Cinque Terre

Italy has taught me to appreciate layers.

Whether it's a centuries-old villa in Tuscany, a lakeside home in Lake Como, or the colorful buildings perched along the cliffs of Cinque Terre, there is a sense of history everywhere you look.

The architecture feels collected rather than decorated. The plaster walls aren't flawless. The stone steps are worn smooth. The pottery, furniture, and materials all tell a story.

As designers, I think we're sometimes tempted to make everything feel brand new. Traveling through Italy reminds me that some of the most beautiful spaces are the ones that feel lived in, and that are connected to history. 

Barcelona & Madrid

Spain is where I find myself paying attention to the details.

The tile work, iron railings, carved stone, intricate architecture, and craftsmanship are impossible to ignore. Everywhere you look, there is evidence that someone cared deeply about how something was made.

It reminds me that great design is often found in the details that people don't immediately notice.

A thoughtfully selected tile, a beautiful light fixture, a carefully considered architectural detail. These are the elements that quietly make a home feel special.

Scotland

Scotland feels moody in the best possible way.

The stone buildings, historic architecture, winding streets, and dramatic landscapes create a sense of permanence that I find incredibly inspiring.

What stood out to me most was how beautifully everything ages. The weathered stone, the patina on old buildings, and the signs of time don't detract from their beauty. They enhance it.

It's another good reminder that homes don't need to feel brand new to feel beautiful. Character often comes from the passage of time.

Germany

In Germany the architecture feels substantial and enduring. There is a balance between beauty and practicality that I admire.

Nothing feels overly complicated or designed simply to make a statement. Instead, there is a sense of purpose behind every detail.

As a designer, I think that's something worth striving for. The best homes aren't just beautiful to look at. They function beautifully, too.

Switzerland

Switzerland constantly reminds me of the relationship between architecture and nature.

The homes don't compete with the mountains. They frame them.

Large windows capture incredible views, natural materials reflect the surrounding landscape, and the architecture feels rooted in its environment.

It's a lesson I carry into every project. A home should feel connected to where it is, not disconnected from it.

Banff, Canada

Banff is one of those places that makes you stop and look around.

The mountains, lakes, forests, and sheer scale of the landscape are breathtaking.

What I love is that the architecture doesn't try to steal the spotlight. Instead, it complements what's already there through the use of stone, wood, and natural materials.

Banff reminds me that not every room needs a dramatic focal point. Sometimes the view outside the window is enough.

Good design isn't always about adding more. Sometimes it's about knowing when to step back and let something else shine.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica may have influenced the way I think about living more than any other destination.

Life feels slower there. More intentional.

Homes are designed to embrace the outdoors rather than shut it out. Living spaces open onto patios. Windows stay open. Nature becomes part of everyday life.

What I love most is the emphasis on experience over appearance.

It's a reminder that a beautiful home isn't just about how it looks. It's about how it makes you feel and how it supports the life happening inside it.

Ecuador, The Azores, & The Caribbean

Some of my favorite travel memories aren't tied to architecture at all.

They're tied to the landscape.

The volcanic cliffs of the Azores. The tropical greenery of Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. The dramatic coastlines, mountains, oceans, and natural beauty found throughout these destinations.

Traveling has made me realize how often nature provides the best inspiration.

The colors, textures, and materials I find myself drawn to again and again in my work are often the same ones I've admired while traveling: natural stone, textured woods, woven materials, handmade pottery, and colors pulled directly from the landscape.

Bringing It Home

People sometimes assume that travel inspires me because I come back wanting to recreate what I've seen.

That's actually not the case.

I'm not trying to turn a home in South Carolina into a villa in Tuscany or a cottage in Provence.

What inspires me is the feeling.

The feeling of a home that belongs where it is. A home built with materials that age gracefully. A home that reflects the people who live there rather than whatever trend happens to be popular at the moment.

No matter where I've traveled, I've noticed the same themes appearing again and again: natural materials, thoughtful craftsmanship, connection to the landscape, and spaces designed for real life.

Those are the things that inspire my work.

And every time I travel, I come home with a deeper appreciation for creating homes that feel authentic, timeless, and deeply connected to the people who live in them.