It’s vacation time for a lot of people (especially those with school-age children) and I’ve been thinking about how to get some of that vacation feeling into my own home. I love to travel but I don’t take the type of vacation where I lay around doing nothing – probably because I’m not that great at doing nothing. In other words, I’m not looking for an exclusive resort style in my home – but I am looking for a relaxing, casual, uncluttered look to help me unwind at the end of a stressful day.
We went to Kauai last month and took a gorgeous 17 mile Kayak trip up the Napali Coast. This is me feeling slightly sea-sick (I didn’t realize how big the ocean swells would be) but enjoying the incomparable views while resting my tiny, un-musclebound arms.
How does this translate into a relaxing interior? I think it comes down to living simply and living well, without excess. Here are 5 interiors that are inspiring me right now in my home. For me they have a peaceful, relaxing vibe that I tend to crave this time of year.
I especially love the island and the green rail above the stove. (Source)Slipcovered furniture is a great look for summer. It brightens up your room and gives any piece of furniture an instant relaxed look. When the season’s over, just take it off and store it for next year. We keep ours on year round – it does take a heavy dose of bleach every month or so though. (Source)Another thing about relaxing – I don’t want to worry about someone breaking something, spilling pasta sauce on something or having guests worry about what to wear. Overly precious or formal interiors tend to increase my anxiety about things like that and it’s something I don’t want in my own home. This kitchen has such a great vibe and it looks like it would be fun to cook in with a friends and family. The back cabinet piece came from a car repair store – the owner got it for $50! (Source)This all white interior might not be the best place to visit with dogs and children, but slipcovers are easy to wash and I like the vintage pieces in the home and even the lack of rugs! I don’t think I could handle the white floor though, but it makes for a pretty photo. (Source)Easy, budget friendly sunroom style with nothing done to impress. I like the homemade quilt draped over the slipcovered sofa. I’ve been finding lots of awesome baskets at thrift stores recently. If you don’t have a lot of color in your room, texture will help pull it together and baskets for books, magazines and games is an easy way to add some interest. (Source)
I try to find beauty in simple things and I do consciously look for it (and find it) in everyday moments. Some days it’s easier than others. Sometimes it just takes a moment of realizing that my family and I are as young as we ever will be and taking that idea and and just enjoying living moment to moment. I realize this is a true luxury that some people will never have, or if they do, it’s fleeting. How does this translate to your home? I think it’s comes down to finding your own sweet spot of style that makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Think about how you like to relax, what clothing you feel most comfortable in and what you like to do in your free time and there you’ll find your own interior vibe.
“Ask anyone and they’ll most likely say their family is crazy, and if they don’t say their family is crazy, their friends are crazy. That’s because everyone is crazy after taking the mask off. People are most themselves when not really trying to fit in, when either alone or around those already closest to them, and that is crazy.”
― Criss Jami, Killosophy
Laura is a Denver Interior Designer who runs an Interior Design Studio based in sunny Colorado with a strong commitment to livable and interesting interiors. She also runs The Colorado Nest, a Denver blog about Design, Art and Life in the Mountain West and co-hosts the book podcast "The Inside Flap" on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.
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2 thoughts on “Relax: Letting Your Vacation Style Guide Your Interiors”
Love this! My wife and I have been busy remodeling recently, and this gave us some great new ideas!
The Colorado Nest 
Love this! My wife and I have been busy remodeling recently, and this gave us some great new ideas!
Oh my! When can I move in? This looked like a great event! X