Drawing on a world of inspiration
Credit: Pierre Frey
Interior design is more than just choosing colours and furniture—it’s about creating a space that reflects who you are. At its heart, it’s a celebration of personal culture, heritage, and taste.
There’s a wealth of ways you can draw on design traditions from around the world to add richness, meaning, and beauty to your space. Whether it's a nod to your roots or a love for far-off places, there’s inspiration everywhere - with a special mention of Pierre Frey; one of my favourites for global decorating inspiration (and the source of our images).
Thinking thematically
When we think of interiors inspired by overseas design, many of us might picture rooms with one dominant style, such as classic Oriental scenes of rich red tones, lacquered furniture and intricate patterns. This is the heart of Chinoiserie, a timeless decorating style influenced by traditional Chinese art and culture.
Credit: Pierre Frey
While classic chinoiserie features bold colours and ornate detail, modern interpretations tend to lean toward neutral or pastel palettes, punctuated by delicate accents and nature-inspired motifs. It's a style that blends beautifully into both traditional and contemporary homes.
But there's a whole world out there and global design inspiration doesn't stop with Asia. Adding subtle, stylish touches from around the world can introduce richness and depth to your interiors without feeling themed or over indulgent.
Playing with patterns
A Kilim cushion or rug, inspired by the nomadic tribes of Turkey, the Middle East and Central Asia can bring warmth and texture to any room. Iznik ceramics with their vibrant blue and red floral patterns, date back to the 15th century Ottoman Empire and are a stunning way to introduce both history and art into your space (see below).
Credit: Pierre Frey
Venturing further, the geometric patterns and bold colours of the Aztec Empire lend themselves beautifully to both modern and traditional decorating schemes. Try an upholstered coffee table or an accent chair in an Aztec-inspired fabric to inject character and texture wile paying tribute to ancient craftsmanship (see below).
Credit: Pierre Frey
Taking it tropical
For something truly vibrant and playful, look no further than the Miami style-often referred to as Miami Vice. Influenced by the cities tropical climate and Art Deco architecture this look combines bright, pastel, tropical motifs and glamorous materials like velvet, marble and metallics (see below).
You can bold with palm prints flamingo hues or take a subtler approach by incorporating curved furniture, symmetrical Art Deco patterns and a restrained palette with a few striking accents.
Credit: Pierre Frey
From Ottoman opulence to tropical vibrance, decorating with global influence is about storytelling layering and celebrating cultures beyond our own. Through textiles, patterns and colour palettes these elements help create homes that feel rich in meaning and full of personality.
Why not get in touch and together we can let your interiors go on a little adventure?