Choose from these inventive decorating ideas, culled from our properties around the world, to transform your home into a space inspired by a far-flung destination with high style. From Provence-flavored gardening hacks to kitchen accessories that pay homage to maritime history, these stylish suggestions deliver truly transformative experiences.
Take cues from this verdant riverside escape, decked with spacious verandahs, soaring ceilings, terracotta tiles and mulberry-paper screens, to transform your home into a tropical sanctuary. The regal three-story hotel, where the suites are splashed in muted whites and creams, is inspired by the artistry of the ancient Lanna Kingdom, which once dominated much of northern Thailand. Designer Vichada Sitakalin, whose soothing vision dresses the serene resort, was drawn to northern Thai culture’s commitment to living in synch with nature, and curated one-of-a-kind artifacts and accessories from local craftspeople to achieve that signature harmony. “In the past, ‘organic’ wasn’t a novel concept, it was a way of life,” Sitakalin shares. “Sustainability is very important to me.”
DESIGN TIP: To bring a piece of the Ping River into your home, Sitakalin recommends weaving in regional artisanal embellishments, such as hand-carved teak mirrors, naturally dyed sheets and pillowcases, and rattan baskets, into bedrooms and bathrooms. For airy, Raya-esque rooms, avoid cluttering with furniture that lacks utility, and use floor cushions for additional seating instead.
“When we speak about Portugal, a few things come to mind: Fado and our Portuguese guitar, codfish and sardines, and of course, azulejo tiles,” says Sonia Gillig, executive hospitality director at the Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa, an Atlantic Ocean escape in the Algarve. “There are beautiful pieces of every size and shape scattered around the country and our resort,” she adds. While subtropical gardens and coastline vistas lure travelers to this picturesque clifftop refuge, complete with seven in-house restaurants and a cavernous wine cellar (the region’s rolling hills are responsible for world-renowned reds), it’s the property’s artful interiors that are unforgettable. They teem with charming ceramics, intricate Moorish-style furniture, and, of course, plenty of that signature ocean blue tile. Azulejos, derived from the Arabic word for “polished stone”, or glazed white and blue ceramic tiles, initially used in the late 15th century to insulate and decorate Portuguese churches, public spaces, and private homes, are a nod to the nation’s deep-rooted maritime history; the color palette was also an attempt to recreate Chinese porcelain.
DESIGN TIP: Tiling your kitchens, bathrooms and floors is a major design commitment. Instead, introduce your interiors to Portuguese earthenware — and heritage — in more approachable forms: serve red wine from rustic terracotta pitchers, use travertine coasters with azulejo motifs — ideal for sliding under potted plants — or spruce up a single-colored dish set with patterned bowls, splattered with azulejo-like floral and geometric designs.
As one of Norway’s most distinguished grand dames, The Britannia Hotel (named for the English guests who first visited the property in the 19th century) emerged from a top-to-toe renovation in 2019. Its palatial insides exude aristocratic glamor: suites have antique chandeliers, chinoiserie wallpaper, brass tubs, and tony gray and gold furnishings; Speilsalen, the hotel’s main restaurant, serves up a dreamy seafood-centric tasting menu in an expansive ballroomesque space. The Britannia Spa, on the other hand, stands for a more understated brand of elegance, also known as “hygge” in local parlance. The 15,000 square-foot oasis, the perfect unwinding spot after a transatlantic trip, features three Nordic saunas, an infrared cabin, and a signature mineral pool, which sits under an astral dome. The decidedly welcoming vibe here is largely fueled by the spa’s soft and tranquil lighting scheme — the perfect antidote to a never-ending Scandinavian winter.
DESIGN TIP: Reproduce the Britannia Spa’s signature ease and warmth by upping your candle game at home, says the hotel’s manager, Mikael Forselius, who encourages using them all year round. “While a real flame looks lovely, for a safer option, place a faux candle in a frosted glass holder or other decorative lantern,” she adds. Limit overhead lighting, opting for floor and table lamps whenever possible (the light and dark contrast adds to the coziness), and install dimmers to lend your rooms a truly welcoming glow.
This plush townhouse, best suited for travelers who want an elegant stay in the heart of historic Florence, is tucked in a corner of one of the city’s most captivating squares, named after the Basilica it borders. There’s no better perch to witness the bustle of the Piazza Santa Maria Novella than the hotel’s al fresco salon, The Terrace, a parasol-shaded space that whips up cappuccinos and aperitifs. Rooms are spacious and sophisticated, awash in pistachio green, with canopied beds and Duomo views. The lounging areas, decked with charming reading nooks, blend centuries, pairing neoclassical furniture and a Charles X fireplace with mid-century lamps. “We took inspiration from the magnificent façade of the Santa Maria Novella Church,” says Luigi Fragola, the hotel’s architect, explaining the property’s own parchment-hued dress code and high, painted ceilings. “The result is a harmonious hand-in-hand between the heritage and contemporary living of today.”
DESIGN TIP: Incorporate modern Italian style into your own living area by beginning with a neutral color palette, then adding pops of bold, jewel tones with a piece of furniture or accessories; use items like dining tables and chairs to be adventurous and artistic. To up the ante, brighten your space with a statement Murano glass lamp. “To achieve urban contemporary design with historical elements, don’t be afraid to juxtapose the old with the new,” Fragola shares.
Nestled in the cork and olive groves of southeastern Portugal, the rooms and cottages at this rural estate (it’s been in the same family for 200 years) are rustic but refined retreats — some of the accommodations, painted in sky blues, with matching rugs, were once barns and farm worker’s rooms. Red floor tiles and shuttered windows infuse a distinctly regional flavor. Though modern touches now abound, in the form of underfloor heating, a Susanne Kaufmann spa and a kitted-out fitness studio, the property’s deep-rooted agrarian history surfaces through intriguing old-world accents. There’s a granite rock that flanks a corner of the outdoor, meadow-side pool, while family heirlooms fill Alentejo, the hotel’s farm-to-table restaurant, which dishes up homegrown favorites like black pork cheeks and Barrocal veal.
DESIGN TIP: In the absence of age-old artifacts, like the ancient manuscripts, vintage furniture, and local curios that line this storied rural estate, reach for more accessible accents in your home. “Remember all the old family photos piled up in boxes stored in the attic or garage? They make the most extraordinary decoration for any room,” says Susana Lourenço, the property’s marketing director. “Go through your neglected family albums, organize the photos by theme, and start to display them,” she adds. “If you really want the image to stand out, choose a natural wooden frame.”
Refined comfort reigns at this New York City gem, perched along a quiet block on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, within easy reach of Central Park. English prints, floral fabrics and porcelains line its many nooks; landscaped terraces gaze out at the Big Apple. Rooms (envisioned by a former White House designer), are spacious, for city standards, equipped with polished oak floors and wood burning fireplaces. Expect to rest easy, courtesy of 300-thread-count Frette sheets, and massive marble bathrooms with separate tub and shower areas. French Moroccan fare takes center stage at Majorelle, the hotel’s chauteau-esque dining room, with a petite skylit garden, oversize flower arrangements, and a handsome, leather-trimmed bar. And while there is no swimming pool or spa onsite, the world-class service and glamorous interiors more than make up for any absent amenities.
DESIGN TIP: Don’t let small spaces discourage you from decorating elegantly, insists Dina De Luca Chartouni, owner and design director at The Lowell. At her swanky boutique hotel, luxury means a steady supply of fresh flowers, crisp white linens, and a signature scented candle, crafted by fragrance house Nest. Not to mention the property’s penchant for lavish but functional furniture. “Even if you’re working with a space that might be intimate in scale, select timeless pieces to anchor your space such as a vintage desk, built-in shelving, or a decadent chaise lounge and adorn the space with minimal but beautiful pieces,” Chartouni says.
As the Serbian capital’s first world-class luxury hotel, this seven-story sleep, in Belgrade’s historic quarter, boasts a sleek Bauhaus façade near the city’s fortress and the National Theater, exuding a 1950s sensibility. It manifests through parquet flooring and polished Cumaru-wood panels in each of the cavernous rooms (bonus points for the sound-proof windows), which also contain Danish modern-style furniture and sepia-toned postcards of old Belgrade. Sophisticated accessories, like Pratesi linens and Hermés toiletries, elevate your stay, as do butler service and a packing-unpacking service. But the midcentury vibe is most palpable at the Lobby Bar, a moody lair that recalls a bygone traveler’s lounge — the cocktails here are served by white-jacketed staff — with vintage leather chairs, antique globes, and Persian carpets.
DESIGN TIP: Add midcentury modern style to your living room by adopting a mustard or tangerine color palette, embracing organic materials, warming up to wood (think of adding a credenza, for instance), and reaching for textured accents, like macramé wall hangings, or woven ottomans. And be sure to embrace punchy colors and prints, which pop best against white walls, another hallmark of retro design.
Despite its name, this enchanting Philippe Starck hideaway presides over a hilltop, just 15 minutes from the glitz of St Tropez. The honey-hued villas, abundant greenery and Mediterranean-facing pools all evoke a stunning modern-day Eden. “No matter where you are in the hotel, your eyes are constantly drawn to the blues of the sea or the greens of the vegetation,” says general manager Stéphane Personeni. It’s a vision inspired by the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Californian grandeur, and Provençal abbeys. Each of the rooms here are exceedingly earthy, with wicker lampshades, rattan rugs, and private terraces. Though truth be told, guests typically spend much of their time here lounging poolside with a glass of rosé (it’s produced locally) or detoxing at the Wellness Village, serviced by a dietician and naturopath, where the menu of restorative pursuits contains everything from aqua-boxing and flying yoga to weight loss retreats.
DESIGN TIP: Floor-to-ceiling windows are largely responsible for delivering the nature-at-your-fingertips aesthetic at Lily of the Valley. During the summers, they’re flung wide open; in the wintertime, you can gaze at the tumbling vines outside while listening to the crackle of wood burners. Give your interiors a lush green makeover by decorating with plants: wrap a vine around a hanging mirror, jazz up a bar cart with potted plants, or transform your bathroom into a tropical spa by selecting plants that prefer humidity, like peace lilies, majesty palms, or orchids.
Once a favored getaway for luminaries like Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner, this stunner of a 1930s property, a mere five minutes from the surrounding Roman ruins, was recently treated to a comprehensive facelift. The hotel now tips a hat to its glorious past life, with touches like porthole windows and a cage-like wrought iron elevator in the lobby, a ritzy expanse with velvet banquettes and colored glass ceiling panels. Rooms are Art Deco lite, with brass furnishings, marble-clad bathrooms and artwork inspired by the property’s past guests, like Pablo Picasso. But the star of the property is its private garden, the largest in Nimes, wreathed by century-old ginkgoes and traditional bell-shaped planters, visible from several rooms. The pretty courtyard is also on view from the hotel’s bar and restaurants, which are overseen by French food icon, Pierre Gagnaire.
DESIGN TIP: “The Vase d’Anduze, or pottery vase, is a link between the hotel’s original elements and contemporary architecture,” says Marcelo Joulia, the hotel’s architect, describing the urns that line the property’s photogenic garden, which originally hail from the town of Anduze, in the South of France. Give your green space a Provençal twist by selecting a shady nook, adding crunchy pea gravel, and using terracotta pots and jars for plants (but sparingly to avoid crowding); when temps drop, they can be shuttled to a sheltered area. Then bring in a simple picnic table and bench for the final touch — the perfect setting for a petit déjeuner.
You’ll find this opulent country villa, home to a sheep farm and its own vineyard, in a hushed pocket of Tuscany, far from the Chianti crowds. The interiors, teeming with curved furniture, heavy silk drapes, and floral-and-vine motifs, are an antique afficionado’s dream — even the bathrooms here boast chandeliers. But that doesn’t mean the property is a relic: guests are given pre-loaded iPads upon arrival, and each of the 20 rooms is equipped with a state-of-the-art ambient lighting system. Explore the grounds on a custom-made bicycle, detailed by an area artist, or embark on a truffle hunting expedition with a local expert. Or simply vegetate at the spa, housed in a traditional farmhouse, where your wellness journey kicks off with a fresh tea infusion, fueled by freshly picked mint and lemon thyme from the garden outside.
DESIGN TIP: “Spend time feeling and analyzing the fabrics you choose for your chairs and curtains,” advises Jeanette Thottrup, co-founder, owner, and creative director of Borgo Santo Pietro, underscoring her penchant for rich textiles. Give your fabrics a layered look by picking a single color that you’ll use evenly throughout the room, across window treatments, area rugs, throw pillows, and blankets. Even if you pick a patterned option, make sure it incorporates a hint of your anchor hue. “Order as many swatches as possible, so you can have a true feel for it,” Thottrup adds.
