Design Tourism

For me, design tourism is about seeing the world through an interior designer’s eye. It’s not about trends or souvenirs—it’s about observing how people live, how materials age, and how culture shapes space. The best inspiration comes from real experiences: travel, art, history, and the character found in everyday places. The quiet corners of a museum, the patina of a centuries-old wall, or the geometry of a city street. These moments become the foundation of my design work.

Living in New England, I’m surrounded by history and architecture that continuously influence my perspective. But design tourism takes that curiosity further, connecting what I see abroad to what I create at home.

Travel Inspires Design

Every trip is a lesson in proportion, color, and craftsmanship. Design tourism isn’t about sightseeing—it’s about study. Living in Boston makes travel easy; within a few hours I can reach Maine’s rocky coastlines, the Berkshires’ old estates, or the small coastal towns in Rhode Island (Newport mansions too). Farther afield, I’ve explored London’s layered history, the architecture of Los Angeles, and the creative energy of Hudson, New York.

Each destination offers new ideas: the worn shutters of a coastal inn, the millwork of a Georgian townhouse, or the way light moves through a California courtyard. These details resurface later in drawings, palettes, and textures—reminders that travel and design are always intertwined.

Floors & Footwear

My eye always finds its way to the ground—especially when traveling. There’s something magnetic about unique flooring, whether it’s patterned tiles, weathered hardwood, or intricate mosaics. Havana’s colorful ceramic tiles tell stories of another era, while Puerto Rico’s cobblestone streets speak to centuries of history. Even Boston’s classic brick sidewalks offer charm that feels uniquely ours. I can’t help but photograph these details (and my shoes, of course) as I walk through new places. Flooring is a foundational design element, so these observations often find their way into my work. Whether choosing patterned cement tiles for a kitchen or sourcing reclaimed wood for a living room, I’m constantly inspired by the floors beneath my feet.

Immersed in Museums

As an art major, I’ve spent countless hours immersed in museums, and they remain a favorite source of inspiration. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, with its lush courtyard and Venetian-style architecture, feels like stepping into another world. The Flagler Mansion in Palm Beach is equally captivating, with grand architectural details and period-perfect interiors. I’m drawn not only to the art on display but also to the spaces themselves—their scale, their lighting, their textures. These visits often influence my design choices, whether it’s replicating the patina of an antique frame or drawing inspiration from a centuries-old textile. A treasure troves of ideas, museums inspire to blend history, artistry, and craftsmanship in ways that feel timeless.

One-of-a-Kind Elements

I’ve never met an antique shop I didn’t like. Whether it’s vintage furniture, old textiles, or unique decor, these pieces tell stories that add depth and character to any space. Incorporating heirlooms or antique finds isn’t just about style, but about creating a connection to the past. For me, these treasures breathe life into a design, making it feel personal and unrepeatable. When clients bring their own vintage pieces—a grandmother’s chair, a family portrait, or a handmade quilt—it adds layers of meaning to their homes. I always encourage clients to embrace these one-of-a-kind elements because they make spaces feel authentic, lived-in, and uniquely theirs.

Explore our Brookline project, where family heirlooms and vintage pieces blend seamlessly with personal art and modern elements—showcasing our passion for incorporating one-of-a-kind pieces into our interiors.

History, Travel & Vintage = Inspiration

The usual suspects—Instagram, Pinterest, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor—are always great for interior design inspiration, but the best inspiration comes from lived experiences. From history-rich streets to distant travels and vintage finds, my goal is always to explore deeply. These influences help me create spaces as unique as the people who live in them. The best interior design inspiration starts offline—in museums, antique shops, and the historic streets that quietly shape how we live.

Read more about our historic home projects in Boston and New England, plus photo tours highlighting architecture from Toronto to Los Angeles (including Frank Lloyd Wright & Shcindler homes).