International style
This month, our columnist Joy Moyler discusses her love of European travel
ANYONE who knows me is aware of my love for Europe and its design influence. My love swells the second a trip is booked and ticket is in hand. Fantasies quickly emerge of old-school 50s and 60s air travel. You know when people dressed up in their best suits and dresses, all intent to arrive at their destination fresh-faced and looking runway ready? Well, times have changed, and most arrive these days in tracksuits and trainers. But the excitement of stepping off of a plane in Europe holds the very same cache for me.
I quickly sign up for the thrill and excitement of discovering new places. Particularly those off the beaten path. The best are those discovered purely from wandering, from chatting with a stranger over coffee.
I am a talker (in case you haven’t noticed). Perhaps it’s growing up in New York City, but I am not intimidated by strangers. I will walk up to anyone, anytime at all, and start a conversation. This habit has led to some of the most incredible travel discoveries.
Here’s to the talented makers and craftspeople.
With narrow shops, often dusty and filled with wood chips and smouldering metal. Without the turn of a corner, you would never know they existed. All excited to have you observe their talent and take a break to discuss their work, their life, their family.
These moments often lead to a surprise dinner at someone’s home, to discover more of their work.
More importantly, the beginning of a new friendship during long chats, great food, often music and incredible wine. This is what life is made of. This is what I love so much about European travel.
Be it any of the amazing places my work or leisure have taken me, I always experience great levels of culture, friendship and joy. Spain, England, Scotland, Switzerland, France and Italy are the countries I frequent most, and count days to return back to.
Each visit is a bounty of design influence. My mind has become a sponge for European design practices and applications. There is no way to experience walking through Giorgio Armani’s Palazzo in Milan, or watching Joe Thornton, a thatcher from the Cotswolds, crafting my dining room ceiling, or James Osborne forging metal for a custom blue decorative gate at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour last year, without being truly engulfed by the craftsmanship and beauty, which only European crafts can bring.
Every January, thousands descend in Paris for Déco Off/maison&objet from all over the world. Packing with them a divine quest to experience what’s new. Again, with one glimpse at the post-covid attendance boom of Maison and Salone del Mobile exposes the sheer will to be fully entrenched in inspiration, to take back to one’s own region.
It’s truly lovely seeing more American design firms infusing their projects with English and French design ethos. It’s creating great conversations, adding much interest to spaces, even if they are new build properties. This is the power of travel and discovery.
Wherever inspiration breathes and lives I am going! Race you to the airport…