There is no better way to be inspired as an Interior Designer than to travel! Exploring new cities, seeing new landscapes and being immersed in a different culture can spark your curiosity and feed your imagination. Travel opens your eyes to diverse architectural styles, design concepts, and unique materials that you might not encounter at home.  I absolutely love trips that combine nature and city, allowing me to enjoy the best of two worlds that truly inspire me.

It is so important as a designer to keep your ideas fresh to gain new perspectives and inspirations through travel.

On my most recent trip I revisited Newfoundland. I can still remember the first time I visited this most eastern place in Canada and I was completely awestruck…”what is this place”, I thought! The extraordinary beauty of the coastline, the charming fishing outports, the historic architecture and quaintness… I couldn’t believe this was Canada. This trip was no exception, and I fell in love all over again, having not been here for almost 10 years it somehow felt like my first time and yet still so familiar. 

St. John’s, the largest city in Newfoundland, is the oldest English settlement in North America and its architecture is very unique from the rest of Canada. One of the most unique characteristics of the city is the use of colour on the exteriors of homes. Similar to places homes found in northern Europe, the homes in St. John’s are painted bright colours which historically allowed sailors to identify their house through a thick veil of fog.

On the outport towns dotted around the island the bright colours continue and the colour combinations between the trims, doors and the main siding are a reminder to play with unique colour combinations in our interiors as well.  I particularly fell in love with this turquoise blue and red combination found on this shed in Port Rexton, Newfoundland.  This colour combo has been showing up alot in interiors and it continues to be one of my favourites! 

 

 Tom Morris, Morrisstudio

The natural beauty found in Newfoundland is what draws travelers from around the world. You can walk the east coast trail for miles and miles and be immersed in thick forests, see expansive ocean views and discover hidden waterfalls along your path. The plant life can be such a source of inspiration for colour palettes and textures in interior design. The diverse hues found in flowers, leaves, and plants can serve as a natural guide for selecting complementary colors that bring harmony and vibrancy into a space. 

I am always amazed by how the harsh weather of this rugged coastline has shaped the natural environment and diversity. The lush low vegetation that survives here is special and breathtaking. 

The impact of travel on your creative energy is infinite. By exploring the world, you can create spaces that are not only beautiful but also full of character!

Leanne Marchand 

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