Travel offers so much inspiration for design. I had never been to New Mexico before recently but it had been on my list of places to visit because I just knew it would be beautiful. We went to Santa Fe in April for our spring break and its beauty did not disappoint.

Of course every place and space we saw in New Mexico offered design inspiration. Here are my takeaways:

1. Food can be decor. Red and green chiles are a culinary staple in New Mexico and everywhere we went in Santa Fe, we saw drying red peppers hanging as beautiful and natural decor.
2. Layering makes a big impact. Many spaces were decorated with stucco and adobe in a neutral color or muted tone, with many furniture pieces in wood carved beautifully, and various textiles in reds and other colors in prints from the Navajo and Mexican peoples who formed the culture of this area. Colorful tile, carved wood and patterned textiles work so well together.
3. Blend in with the surroundings. Everything is adobe, which means every building is that reddish earthen color. It practically blends in with the red earth landscape, which lets the surrounding nature continue to be the focus.

Does any of this inspire you in the design of your home?