JOURNAL 3 – Wanderlust & Design
How Global Travel Shapes Claire’s Perspective
Barcelona’s Park Güell- Gaudí’s fair-tale rooftops- a fusion of fantasy and Catalan tradition
It’s no surprise that artists, writers, and creatives travel the globe in search of inspiration. The colors of a foreign market, the texture of ancient stone, the rhythm of a new city—these experiences stir something deep within us. For me, design is no different. Claire’s Perspective has been shaped as much by passport stamps as by fabric swatches.
Design Inspiration from East to West
I’ve traveled as far east as Berlin and to the sun-drenched shores of Australia’s Sunshine Coast—and nearly everywhere in between. Sometimes the influence is direct: the sculptural lines of a railing, the color story of a ceramic tile. Other times it’s more subconscious. A mood. A silhouette. A palette I didn’t realize I absorbed until it emerges months later in a design scheme.
Barcelona’s Park Güell: A Case Study in Imaginative Design
One unforgettable example is Barcelona’s Park Güell. Gaudí’s fantastical vision, where mosaic meets nature and structure dances with whimsy, is a masterclass in blending functionality with imagination.
Tiled serpentine bench detail, inspiring bold color and organic form in interiors
Mosaic-covered ceiling in Park Güell - a striking blend of structure and sculpture
"Hypostyle Room" or “Hall of the Hundred Columns”. Gaudí transforms structure into art with towering columns and mosic-tiled ceiling at Park Güell
Gaudí’s playful use of organic forms, intricate tile work, and effortless harmony with nature is more than visual delight—it’s a reminder to push creative boundaries. That influence shows up in my work through unexpected curves, natural textures, and bold artistic statements that honor both the structure and its surroundings.
How Travel Expands a Designer’s Vocabulary
From Moroccan courtyards to Scandinavian cafés, global design has long influenced architecture and interiors across continents. It encourages us to move beyond trends and instead create spaces with depth, history, and soul.
At Claire’s Perspective, I strive to infuse those global impressions into spaces that are personal, artful, and rooted in storytelling. Travel keeps me curious—and curiosity is where true design begins.
Want more design travel inspo?
Take a look at my Highlight Stories on Instagram—I share favorite snapshots, architectural finds, and global details that fuel my creative process.
— Claire
A whimsical blend of fairytale charm- Gaudí’s white and blue entrance tower brings storybook architecture to life. Once the home of the park’s keepers.
