Bringing Holiday Style Home: Expert Tips for Chic Decor

As the exceptional British summer draws to a close, incorporating elements of holiday decor into your home is appealing, capturing cherished memories of travel. However, experts caution against simply recreating a holiday aesthetic, advising a more subtle approach to ensure a chic and layered look.

Avoiding Holiday Pastiche

Henriette von Stockhausen, creative director of VSP Interiors, emphasizes, 'Don't recreate the holiday.' She explains that the appeal of a particular style often stems from its integration with the architecture, natural materials, and landscape of its origin. Attempting to replicate this wholesale in a different environment can result in a thematic, rather than carefully considered, design.

Taking Inspiration, Not Souvenirs

Instead of purchasing souvenirs, interior designers recommend drawing inspiration from travel experiences. Tamsin Saunders, Founder of Home & Found, suggests observing details like Dutch plant pots, Danish window treatments, or Lisbon’s cobbled streets to inform design choices. 'Wherever I go I am always looking – not in an acquisitive way, but just to try and take things in,' she says.

Expert Insights

Antique dealers Victoria Krauss and Fernando Alcolea showcase this approach in their Menorcan farmhouse, filled with locally sourced art and treasures. The key is to borrow ideas – a color combination or styling trick – rather than importing entire decorative schemes.