Sweet Lucerne

With every road trip or travel adventure, I always find there is a place that just grabs me and has me thinking, "I am so, so glad we came here". Places I can't say enough good about include: Cassis, France (quaint town in the south of France, need I say more?), Tofino, British Columbia (the most spectacular oceans views) and now, Lucerne, Switzerland. The only research I had done was a quick Google search and a flip through my travel book, so when we arrived at a large train station I was surprised by the size of this city. Clearly I had just looked at pictures and not read, because it's actually one of Switzerland's largest cities. Go me.

Not that that was a bad thing - a pleasant surprise, actually. We were immediately surrounded by remarkable architecture, an unforgettable setting, and even a very expensive meal at McDonald's (starvation hit).

Here is my final collection of photos from our trip! Thanks for sticking around while I deal with back-to-work denial. I've got some AMAZING new design finds to share with you next.

As always, I absolutely cannot wait to return.

Swiss Inspiration: The Mountains of Interlaken

I can't resist sharing a few more photos from the trip, and then I promise, I will return to design! This post and next are from our travels through Switzerland, a country I had pretty much fallen in love with before we even stepped on Swiss soil. The overwhelming mountains, saturated colours and traditional architecture made Switzerland energetic and comforting all at once.

This hotel restaurant struck me each time we walked past. The kelly green, canary yellow, greige, wrought iron and brass are such a timeless palette. And timely, too! A flip through my new House & Home magazine today revealed a dijon yellow kitchen with all of these elements. Maybe I'm late to the party?

No, I don't envy the gardener, whom I imagine is starting to look like Edward Scissorhands. But the geometry, contrast, simplicity, repetition. These are all my definition of perfect design.

Of course, there are some things that Mother Nature does best. The untouched landscapes, peaks and crevasses that humble my desire for design perfection.

For me, these rare places in the world are so beautiful and striking that you can't help but admire them simply for what they are. Sometimes there is no literal translation to the design world, just appreciation.

Did I mention I love planes (now helicopters too) just a little? It's dream job #2....after interior design, of course.

German Countryside Charm

Footsteps through Berlin

Photos by Jenna @ The Beautiful Shelter

Visiting London

I have been keen to visit London since I first had a taste of Europe, and the media attention following the Royal Wedding only made me more interested in seeing this historic city for myself. So, first stop: London!

I should mention that the riots were happening just days before we left, and I was, um, nervous. Fortunately, everything was calm when we arrived and the areas we visited had no signs of damage. Just beautiful architecture and lots (and lots) of people!

We stayed at the Andaz Liverpool Hotel in East London, and it was absolutely perfect for our vacation. The hotel had the most incredible scent (which sounds ridiculous, I know, but if I could've bottled it and brought it home...I would've...not for sale.) and was beautifully designed. Formerly a railway hotel, it had all of the modern amenities with an ode to traditional elegance. Perfection. (Any indoor shots here are from the hotel.)

And a delicious cheese platter from the hotel restaurant was the perfect way to finish it off (and spend a little more time surrounded by the beauty)!

I loved London's energy and culture, and can't wait to return.

Photo credit: Jenna @ The Beautiful Shelter