ADAPTING THE TRaVEL BUG TO HOME DECOR
For some, like Scott Robertson, the desire to travel can be so strong that it leads them on a never-ending journey of discovery that changes not only their souls but also their surroundings. “I left New Zealand for Australia a little over 20 years ago when I missed out on getting into a tertiary graphic design program. I had planned to return and reapply the following year, but instead developed a bit of a wanderlust,” he said. “Since then I have travelled to around 70 countries, and lived in several different cities around the world.” Robertson, who’s a tour director as well as a photographer, started taking pictures after high school but it wasn’t until he invested in a Canon DSLR and took an online course that he developed his craft. “Most of the camera skills from this course were forgotten, but the ability to compose a good shot stayed with me through my first few years of travelling, even though I was using point-andshoot style cameras,” he said. “This was really the point where I developed a passion for photography — and in particular, landscapes and documentary-style street photography.” Since buying a new condo, Robertson has started displaying his photos at home. “I just bought a new place with exposed brick walls throughout, so it’s the perfect gallery for my work. The industrial look of the brick walls makes a great backdrop for artwork,” he said. “My images are printed on a variety of materials — photographic paper, canvas, brushed metal — and I’ve printed a range of subject matter as well: a candid shot of a man reading from the Qur’an at a mosque in Damascus; a large canvas of Petra, Jordan, bathed in orange candlelight; and a framed series of six 5x7 black-and-whites from a month spent in Paris.” There are a number of ways, other than photography, to create a space that’s inspired by travel. According to Maria Allaham, it all starts with a feeling. “I feel like every city we travel to can have a certain feeling attached to it,” said the brand manager at The Boho Lab, the new Moroccan-inspired home furnishings boutique in Old Montreal. “That feeling, which brings you back to those cities, is what makes a space inspired by travel. “It can have its own unique harmony motivated by different patterns, symbols, the mix of colours or the textiles used. “In my living room, I have one of these stools that was handmade in Morocco, but we also had them in Syria where I lived, so this stool brings me back to Damascus. I also have a little tajine displayed on my coffee table, plants in rattan baskets, and photographs of landscapes and different views.” Furniture, accessories and plants are all great ways of transforming a regular space into one that transports its inhabitants, as are colourful textiles in a variety of textures and forms, like cushions, throws and rugs. “Moroccan interior design is comfortable, warm and detailed,” Allaham said. “It has different patterns and textures and carries many abstract designs that are contemporary and expressive. Prominent colours are warm beige, red/orange, vibrant green and blue, and shapes are diamond shapes, geometric and random.” Other than furniture and accessories, The Boho Lab also carries an exclusive collection of Berber, boucherouite, Beni Ourain and kilim rugs, all of which provide the ideal foundation for a space that’s inspired by travel in general, and Morocco in particular.
Style So Original is a gallery boutique in Rockland Centre, founded by Marie-Claude Coulombe in 2013, that sells a mix of lifestyle objects — like cushions from Senegal; Kokeshi dolls from Japan; colourful, painted hummingbirds from Mexico; and salad servers from the Philippines — and fashion accessories from 35 different countries. “Our vision emphasizes sustainable ecology and high-end quality. I choose all of the products with this thought in mind. They have to be durable, beautiful and, most of all, they have to do good in the world,” said Coulombe, who recently returned from a trip to Africa where she met with many local artists in small villages. “We spent a lot of time with them, to understand their culture and way of life, appreciate their craftsmanship and ensure the quality of their work.” When it comes to displaying travel-inspired home accessories, Coulombe recommends grouping an uneven number of objects together and not being afraid of mixing and matching colours, patterns and even cultures. “Go for accessories, have fun, and dare a little. They are usually not a huge investment and make a big statement. Regroup an odd number of objects together: marry textures to enhance their differences, match colours and patterns,” she said. “We live in a world that is getting smaller; we travel all over the globe. “We appreciate different styles and we have access to designs from all over the planet. “Why would we limit ourselves to one particular style when we are becoming citizens of the world? Our interior decor reflects our vision: a fair and beautiful one.”