Building on the intrigue of exotic places

World travel is having a significant influence on home design trends. Vacations are becoming more sophisticated, revolving around heritage, culture and history. Travelers are following in the footsteps of their ancestors or exploring exotic locations for a distinctive experience.

Excursions to distant lands reveal captivating architecture, furnishings and materials. When there is no opportunity to travel, escape fantasies are fueled by Internet connections. This exposure to a multicultural world is inspiring the consumer to be bold and try something new at home.

Western European design influences have been evident for years, and re-creating the mood of an English estate or a French country retreat remains popular. In addition to these fashion statements, we can look to emerging travel hot spots for new design ideas.

The American Society of Travel Agents says Italy surpassed Mexico last year as the most popular international travel destination. This is sure to rekindle interest in styles from the Italian Renaissance and Baroque periods. Customers will be shopping for the feel of architectural grandeur seen in palazzos de aristocrazia. This translates into large-scale furniture that features three-dimensional carvings and frescoed finishes. One of these pieces instantly becomes the focal point of any room.

Spain is becoming the new Tuscany for travel. Separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees Mountains, Spanish and Portuguese style was heavily influenced by Moroccan and East Indian cultures. Today’s furniture features the complicated, geometricalshaped carvings of historic wood panels. The heavy proportions have more appeal when embellished with characteristic ironwork. This style brings even the most expansive space into livable scale.

In 2008, the Olympics will be held in Beijing. This is sure to reawaken interest in Oriental décor, which has been dormant for the past decade. This time around, don’t look for lacquered finishes. The appeal will be in a more primitive form featuring hand painting that replicates ancient artistry. Mandarin red and intricate latticework are features that make these pieces the perfect accent to a room.

With growing global awareness, consumers are interested in styles influenced by eccentric destinations. Exotic woods from Africa in organic forms will become popular as primitive accents in the home. Scandinavian-inspired furniture strikes the perfect balance between modern and traditional interiors for a clean, fresh look. Japan is contributing a serene simplicity with its linear, low-profile furniture.

Acknowledging the country of origin and informing the consumer is a sure way for a store to add value to its merchandise. Furniture vignettes can provide a mini escape, with well-placed maps and guidebooks that encourage conversation and create involvement. What better way to intrigue — and capture — your customers?