4 ways to steal the style from exotic holiday getaways

Bringing vacation-inspired vibes into your home is easier than you think, says Sam Wylie-Harris. A sunseeker’s dream, recreating your heavenly escape in your own living space has its rewards, especially from a wellbeing angle – holidays make us happy! But the reality can be a bit daunting when trying to nail the right aesthetic; sometimes the temptation is to overthink it, and end up getting bogged down with the finer details.

The good news is, interior designers suggest you don’t need a passport to capture the feeling of a favourite holiday destination at home. From the tropical calm of Bali to the indoor-outdoor flow of Florida, designers suggest destination-inspired ideas are less about the exact recreation of a place – and more about borrowing the colours, textures and atmosphere that make it feel memorable. To put you on the front foot, home and design platform, Houzz have worked with four interior-design firms to create 3D floor plans inspired by some of the most sought-after holiday spots around the world.

Here, tastemakers share their pro tips to get the look at home… 1. Italy… focus on texture, not accessories Caroline Couzens of Caroline Couzens Design, a multi-disciplinary, award-winning interior designer and ceramist, created an Italian-inspired kitchen and dining room which combines old-world grandeur with contemporary living. The sun-baked terracotta, olive greens, arched windows, patterned tiles and a bold red range cooker create a warm and inviting space made for cooking and gathering. For Couzens, the starting point is texture.

“Think about textures and surface finishes, what sparkles, what absorbs. Material richness starts from the get-go… it’s not about adding cushions at the end. This could be limewashed walls, stone surfaces, zellige-style tiles (Moroccan mosaic tiles), aged timber, marble, plaster, ceramic lighting or woven seating.

She says the key is to think about how materials behave in the light and how they sit next to each other. Colour should feel warm, layered and liveable. Couzens used earth tones as the foundation, then added jewel colours in a way which feels rich without overwhelming the room – keeping the majority of the scheme neutral makes it easier to update over time.

The designer also encourages homeowners to embrace eclecticism. Rather than buying everything from one range, she suggests mixing old and new pieces, such as a contemporary table with antique ceramics; a traditional dresser with modern lighting; or a bold tiled splashback with simple cabinetry. The result should feel collected, not overly coordinated.

An Italian-inspired room has space to evolve, with objects, artwork and furniture gathered over time. 2. Bali… make it a full sensory experience For Camille Mongeon, founder of Bleu Canard Design, with a background in fine arts and antiques, and lifelong passion for interior design, a Bali-inspired home is not only about adding tropical plants and choosing dark wood. She suggests the whole experience should feel immersive.

“A tropical oasis isn’t just a look, it’s a full sensory experience, says Mongeon, who imagined warm, humid air, a cooling breeze, linen drapes lifting gently, the sound of air moving through dense leaves and reflections of water dancing across the walls. To achieve the look, she recommends blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Large-leafed plants, such as bird of paradise, can instantly create a more tropical feel, she highlights, especially when layered with long, flowing linen curtains.

Moreover, the Bali-inspired design uses saturated turquoise, rich woods and emerald foliage to create the feeling of a Balinese jungle retreat. Materials are key, too. Mongeon suggests mixing light-toned stone with dark, warm woods in furniture and finishes, then adding contrast with small accents of black and warm gold.

A dramatic wallpaper, large tapestry or living wall can help anchor the space and bring in texture, particularly if it draws on a palette of off-whites, deep greens, dark browns and watery blues. Water is another important element. While a pool may not be possible, she says a trickling fountain, water feature or even an aquarium can create the same sense of calm.

Moreover, scent can also help complete the effect, whether through incense, a diffuser or tropical notes such as ylang-ylang. Her final advice is to avoid making the space feel too polished. Noting antique markets are a good place to look for South Asian-inspired furniture, silk cushions, artwork and decorative pieces that bring personality and authenticity.

3. Florida… connect indoors and outdoors Kristin Parr, owner and principal designer of Anna Gray Designs, brings a background in fashion and luxury branding to her interiors. She looked to Marco Island in southwest Florida for her coastal concept, focusing on the region’s screened lanais (outdoor living space) and water-facing homes.