Travel Inspired Design For Any Space

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Whether it’s new colour palettes, historical architecture or fascinating culture, travel can be such a rich source of inspiration.

For celebrated American designer Nate Berkus, it inspired the Sunset Bar, a unique, multi-level space he designed for the latest award-winning luxury ship, Celebrity Beyond℠, by Celebrity Cruises. “I’m on my fourth passport, so traveling for me is a passion. It’s the number one thing that inspires my work,” Nate says. “I love Mexico, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Sri Lanka – countries that have a rich sense of history and culture, from the architecture, to the food, to the way people enjoy time with their families.”

Nate’s design for the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Beyond took inspiration from international beach clubs. “They always feel so effortlessly chic and casual, where it’s all about going straight from the pool to cocktail hour with minimal effort,” he says.

Here, Nate shares the vision behind the elegantly designed Sunset Bar, and offers tips on how to weave threads from your travels into your own home.

Celebrity Cruises

Design accents that tell a story

Whether it’s the intricately patterned tiles of laid-back Lisbon or the chic piazzas of Paris, influences can be taken from your travels, and infused into your home to add patina and character.

For the Sunset Bar, Nate added bold architectural details, such as arches, organic curves and a mix of materials that give the eye a place to land, no matter where you are in the space. Other design details, like the bespoke graphic pattern that Nate and his team created for the outdoor cushions based on Ancient Greek motifs, honour the history of Celebrity Cruises.

Style tip: Pattern and colour is deeply personal. Reach for what you love, and for what tells your story. One of the best ways to do this is with things you’ve collected on your travels.

Celebrity Cruises

Design indoor and outdoor spaces to work together

Spatial planning is key to the success of any cruise ship to ensure functionality and comfort for guests. For Nate, creating an efficient entertaining space that worked on multiple levels was all about seamless transitions from the inside areas to the outdoor spaces.

“The key to a smooth transition is to use the same colour and décor elements, both inside and out, whether it’s a cushion or a floor tile,” says Nate, who’s injected the striking Sunset Bar on Celebrity Beyond with a myriad of global-inspired textures and patterns. By mirroring the cane bar stools with similar cane outdoor seating, for example, the two spaces integrate effortlessly.

Style tip: Nate loves using greenery inside and out to link zones and create flow. Olive trees, succulents, or even greenery from your garden are all great ways to do this.

Celebrity Cruises

Bring in travel influences through a mix of materials and textiles

Another way to get your holiday fix at home is to bring in materials and textures inspired by your travels.

“We incorporated timeless materials like terracotta, bronze, brass and wood inspired by traveling, to create a sense of relaxation,” says Nate, who also layered in texture to the laid-back seating areas.

“Bringing in natural materials to your home and outside areas, and things with texture, will help create a casual feel. Nothing should be too serious and fussy.

Style Tip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials!

Celebrity Cruises

Create areas for relaxation to continue the holiday vibe at home

Let’s be honest, no one wants their holiday to end. So why not bring that blissful feeling back home and turn your space into a relaxing oasis? The key to holidaying at home is to make your home and garden feel like a destination, like Nate did with the Sunset Bar on Beyond.

For example, the pergola-covered entrance to the Sunset Bar acts as a “kind of portal that guests then step through”, which is a simple yet effective design detail that can easily be recreated in your own outdoor area.

Another idea to borrow is Nate’s clever use of varied seating to offer many moments to enjoy the views. “There are daybeds to lounge on, or seating at the bar if you want that experience,” he says. “I love that there are many moments within the Sunset Bar, but wherever you post up, you can’t miss the 360 degree views.”