Eastern Europe Design Inspiration

I recently had the opportunity to visit Eastern Europe. We visited Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria and Turkey. Traveling always recharges my creative juices, allows me to step outside of my “normal” design exposure and be challenged by the architecture of other cultures I see and experience. Today I want to share with you what I learned and saw on my recent trip.

1.      Use Color! Europeans are especially unafraid to use color-and vibrant color-in their homes. Some of the places we stayed had a bright yellow bathroom, bright multi colored kitchen backsplash and colorful front door.

2.      Have a beautiful front door. Europeans do this so well! Exquisite carved designs, metal work, or beautiful door handles and hinges and often painted in a beautiful color. I have so many photos of beautiful doors I saw. Americans-you need to step up your front door game!

3.      Invest in good craftsmanship and excellent materials. Paying for quality work and materials up front will last for many years to come. The very old buildings built with stone and quality artisans are still standing in excellent condition hundreds of years later.

4.      If you have the chance to purchase a Turkish rug from the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, buy one…or two. There’s nothing like walking thru your living room every day and being reminded of a great trip and memories.

Have you learned anything from the travels you have taken? I’d love to hear! Email me at Jessica@webbercoleman.com