We are full in the swing of summer and we’d be lying if we said we hadn’t been distracted by the idea of a vacation or two. In this edition of Design Inspired By, we asked our talented RJE Design Team members to create spaces based on their dream summer vacation locale. Read below to see which of our designers wants to take a stroll along the Seine, a jaunt across the Highlands, or wander through Firenze.
Megan’s Dream Summer Vacation Spot: Florence
I fell in love with Florence when I travelled abroad there during college. This will always be one of my dream summer vacation destinations. Florence (or Firenze) has it all – the gorgeous medieval architecture, works of art by all the greats, rustic Italian cuisine, and sprawling landscapes of the Tuscan region. One moment you are perusing the halls of the Uffizi gallery and then the next you’re savoring a cup of decadent gelato while dodging the horse drawn carriages. It is the perfect city to go on a walking adventure and become lost. The citizens of Florence are the most warm-hearted and inviting people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. They love when you try speaking Italian, whether to order a meal or have a conversation.
Outside of my love for it, Italy is one of the leading countries in the design world. Italian design is recognized for having a multitude of different aesthetics – like a sleek, clean-lined apartment you would find in Milan, a rustic, terracotta villa in Tuscany, or an elegant, historical Florentine home. From my experience, Florence tended to lean towards eclecticism, diversity and artistic sentiment that favors experimentation.
Kim’s Dream Summer Vacation Spot: Scotland
Scotland has been on my list of places to travel for a long time. I am inspired by the quiet calm of each loch and mountain and what secrets they might hold. As a Ravenclaw, I’ve also wanted to explore the place where J.K Rowling created a series that continues to inspire a little magic in all of us…Harry Potter. My selections reflect a sense of calm with a hint a magic.
Krista’s Dream Summer Vacation Spot: Paris
Visiting Paris has always been at the top of my bucket list. While I have not been able to cross it off yet, I hope to get there one day! I learned about the city’s culture and monuments during the many French classes I took in high school and college. It is not hard to see why it is called the “City of Love”. My selections were inspired by the iconic monuments and art that the city is known for, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Knoll has a few iconic pieces of its own that I really wanted to highlight. I also tried to incorporate other aspects that people may think of when they think of the city, such as the classic beret hat. Here it is loosely represented by the Muuto Five Pouf. Hopefully one summer Paris will actually be a destination for me. Until then, I will keep it on the list!
