Inspiration via Vacation
I just returned from vacation in Santa Cruz in Northern CA. I’ve always loved travel and have been fortunate to travel to many places. If you’ve been with me for a little while, you also know that I love surfing, which is a difficult hobby when living in Colorado.
Travel has always provided inspiration and helps to fuel my creativity. The benefits of travel that I experience are first and foremost that is just breaks routine. Getting out of my routine can often help me to solve a problem or see a path I did not see before. World travel also expands my mind through exposure to new people and perspectives as well as expanding my comfort zone.
My experience of the link between travel and increased creativity is backed by science.
Just like breaking routine, science shows that Sensory Stimulation; new sights, sounds, smells, and tastes stimulate your brain, activating neural pathways that may have been dormant in a familiar environment. Being in an unfamiliar place makes you more present and aware, which allows you to notice details you might normally overlook—fueling inspiration.
Studies show that exposure to new environments increases neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new connections. This can enhance problem-solving and creative thinking. This also encourages mindfulness and observation. A study from Indiana University found that mindful observation of new places increases idea generation. Travelers often pay closer attention to details, stimulating curiosity and creative insight.
Travel fills me up and provides inspiration for new designs. It’s not a direct translation. For example, I don’t see a home, hotel or interior, then replicate that for a client. In fact I don’t even know how each new place is going to inspire me in the future. The new places that I visit are just inputs into my brain. And my brain will pull them up in some unexpected way in the future.
Sometimes the inputs are from beautiful or unique architecture and interiors. At other times, I find a creative input from the nature or landscapes of a new area. And sometimes it is the feeling from a place – perhaps relaxation or an increased energy.
Now allow me to share some creative inputs from this recent trip.
We stayed in an amazing Airbnb (with terrible décor). The terrible decor is a conversation for another day. Let’s focus on this little midcentury beach bungalow gem.
The kitchen and fireplace of this Airbnb retain the original midcentury design and are kitschy in all the right ways. I’m talking midcentury style bricks and turquoise boomerangs on the Formica countertops.
We are actually working on a super cool midcentury design right now in Broomfield. It’s a very different vibe and color palette. Our Colorado home is more masculine and less beachy. But I’m channeling some of this original midcentury feel for our Broomfield project.
It’s in early construction now so stay tuned.
Architecture
This cool beach bungalow looks like it is the perfect blend of beach meets Greene and Greene. Greene & Greene was an architectural firm influential in the California Arts & Crafts movement.
These beach condos are iconic to the city of Capitola.
Nature
Of course, I spent time surfing and on the beach. This is what we land-locked people love to do when we get ourselves to a coast.
We also spent some time hiking in the beautiful Point Lobos Nature Reserve.
I have no idea how this trip or these places and experiences might influence our designs in the future. I just know that
Do you have a favorite travel experience or location?