Design Inspiration from Mexico

Hello friend,

Have you ever noticed that the most special items in your home have a story behind them?  Whether it was your grandfather’s desk, your grandmother’s china, the first item that you purchased for your first home, or a piece of art that stirred you after you met the artist, these items are priceless!  The way they make us feel, when we look at them, reminds us of the person behind the item.  (Sometimes that story also tells us it is time to let it go!)

Design inspiration from Mexico: vibes, colors, lighting, and bedding.

I also love the sense of story, craftsmanship, and uniqueness I find when I am wandering while traveling.  Each place I visit has a deep embedded culture, that is sometimes thousands of years old.  I look for pieces that reflect these elements to find something special that reminds me of the location.

A few scenes from Ignacia Guest House in Mexico City.

Traveling is probably one of my most important sources of inspiration when I am designing.  Whether it is a color palette, the care someone takes in creating something from simple raw materials, or a unique perspective, that I have never thought of. Aside from nature, for me, travel is my inspiration.  So I thought it would be fun to start a series to share different cultures and some of the ideas that they can bring to our homes.

1. Handmade, vegetable-dyed tapestry fromMadda Studio. 2. A horsehair and iron chandelier from ISABEL MONCADA. 4-5. Handmade textiles from Mexico by Nakawe.

A beautiful presentation this week by Habachy Designs at Design ADAC brought Mexico to my mind. I have some special family members in Mexico.  I went to Cancun for my honeymoon, and we did a long weekend in Mexico City 2 years ago.  With so much color and such a proud heritage, Mexico has had a profound effect on me.  I am facinated by the Mayan culture, a rich tapestry of civilization that we can learn so much from. I have visited the temples, and learned that the Maya script had the most sophisticated and highly developed writing systems begining around 250 AD. (They also practiced human sacrifice…)

Marlee, Andrea, Melody, and I at Habachy Designs learned so much at Design ADAC!

Mexico is a place that I can simply soak in the warmth-of the sun, of the colors and most dramatically the welcoming embrace of the people that I have met. I am hoping to share that vibe with you, today.  I want to create a feeling that conveys the essence of handmade items crafted using traditional methods. Yet, I think that you can feel the heart pulsing through the items that the artisans are slowly creating. I also found an incredible Bed and Breakfast in Mexico City, that uses Mexican tile, colors, and textiles in the most beautiful ways; it’s now on my wish list!

A quick visit to Mexico City in 2023 with Ed and our best friends.

My hope is to share these quick inspiration posts, so that you may see the passion and find something that says “yes” to you!  I am looking forward to sharing more of France (yes, again!), Japan, Nepal, and hopefully my latest adventures to the Grand Canyon, Vienna, and Budapest!

I would also love to hear about some of your most inspiring travels and what inspired them.  Drop me a line at stephanie@balancedesignatlanta.com.

So long for now!

Stephanie