It’s that time of year again. The summer holidays are over, and there’s a big looming gap between now and next year’s adventures in paradise.
But don’t feel too glum. Just because you’re back doesn’t mean you can’t recreate a little of that holiday feeling back home. Read on for tips and tricks on how to introduce distinctive elements from your holiday into your décor at home.
Postcard wall art
If your suitcase for the flight home is super-stuffed, fill your pockets with postcards of your favourite holiday places. Once home you can arrange them framed on the wall as a constant reminder of your travels. Tropical island landscapes, dramatic mountains or end-of-the-pier seaside cards can all work well. Try to organise them so that they tell a story.
If you have train tickets, restaurant bills, food and drink labels, shells or other interesting items left over from your travels, consider decorating the picture frames with them. Attach them using a decoupage technique and finish them off with some lacquer to pull the whole look together. You will have some unique and very personal wall art to remind you of your holiday adventures.
Shutter chic
Those lucky enough to take vacations in the Caribbean or Paris will know all about the elegance of wooden shutters. Why not bring a taste of the Caribbean home by fitting your windows with colonial style plantation shutters in pale colours. Say farewell to fussy window treatments. Replace them with sleek, chic shutters that allow you to control light levels. Alternatively, you can grab some Parisian sophistication with café shutters that boast a charming French accent and heaps of style.
Textile tricks
Exotic far flung destinations such as Mexico and Morocco are wonderful for their colourful vibrant textiles. Ensure that these vivid colours and designs do not fade from your memory by bringing some back with you. With distinctive designs and strong colour palettes, Mexican and Moroccan textiles work well as featured accents in your décor. Woven textiles with coarse textures such as Mexican rebozos (shawls) can translate into beautiful cushion covers, lampshades and wall hangings. Mexican bedspreads featuring embroidered figures of birds, dragonflies or horses look exquisite as a centre piece in a bedroom and will serve as a constant happy reminder of your vacation.
Alternatively, textiles with Moorish influences from Morocco fit easily into modern décor settings. You can display these as a kelim or carpet on the wall, as upholstery for a foot stool or by simply laying them on the floor. These textiles, with their beautiful, geometric patterns, are a perfect way of bringing some Moroccan magic back home.
Pottery perfection
If you raided the local Spanish markets for artisan pottery on holiday, give it pride of place back home. Place it in a well-lit spot where it can be easily admired. Consider picking out some of the colours in the ceramics with other elements in the room. Terracotta pottery contrasts well with the colour blue, so think about painting a feature wall in a crisp shade of azure.
Bring more than just happy memories home from your holidays with carefully chosen décor and decorative items unique to the area. In the long winter months, what better way of letting some holiday sunshine into your home?
