(And They're Not What You Think)
As a Sydney interior designer, my clients often ask how I create homes that feel both personal and unique. My secret? It's not about shopping at designer stores or following the latest trends. Instead, my most cherished styling pieces come from my travels - and I'm not talking about tourist trinkets that end up gathering dust.
Let me share the three souvenirs
I always hunt down when traveling that genuinely elevate a home's style (and create the best dinner party conversations).
First up: local art, but not the obvious tourist-trap paintings. I seek out emerging artists at small galleries and markets, collecting pieces that tell authentic stories. Sometimes it's a striking sculpture that becomes a coffee table focal point, other times it's traditional jewelry that I later frame - creating unique wall art that sparks joy and memories. On my last trip to Bali, I found a stunning dancer's head dress that now lives on my console in my dining room, adding personality and major WOW factor too the space.
My second must-find: books about the destination, but not your standard guidebooks. I'm talking about beautiful coffee table books featuring local architecture, design, or photography. These books not only inspire my work but also make stunning styling pieces that add layers of interest to shelves and tables. Plus, they're perfect for reliving travel memories on rainy Sunday afternoons.
Finally - and this is my designer's secret weapon - I always bring back textiles. But here's the twist: I don't just buy standard cushions. Instead, I source unique fabrics, from vintage kimono silks in Japan to hand-woven woolens from Scotland. These get transformed into one-of-a-kind cushions or throws that inject personality into any space. One of my favorite pieces is a throw made from a beautiful textile I discovered in a tiny shop in a market in Novgorod in Russia - it's now the most talked-about piece in my living room.
The beauty of these three items? They're practical to pack, tell meaningful stories, and create a home that feels uniquely yours. Because let's face it - anyone can buy a vase from a department store, but that hand-painted ceramic you carried home from a small Portuguese village? That's the piece that makes your home distinctly you.
What's been your absolute favourite souvenir that you can't live without now (but almost didn't bring it back)?
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