Currently Inspired by: Europe
Every year, I make it a point to plan one big trip to explore somewhere new. I carve out a couple weeks away from the hustle of Violet Marsh Interiors and fully immerse myself in the essence of the place I’m visiting. This year, I embarked on a whirlwind adventure through Europe, where I soaked in the eclectic cultures, rich history, and captivating art and design scenes of Amsterdam, Berlin, and Vienna.
Just like every time I take one of these trips, this one left me feeling invigorated and inspired. It’s as if my creative tank got a full refill, ready to pour out fresh ideas and concepts into my interior design work.
Amsterdam
My time in Amsterdam, spent exploring along cobblestone streets, was truly memorable. I first had a lovely stay at Canal House in the Jordaan neighborhood then wrapped up my time there at Hotel Estherea, which exudes a charming, feminine design aesthetic - matching wallpaper and drapery and all!
The city is both walkable and crowded, with a plethora of stores and restaurants to explore. You need reservations for museums and restaurants. Visits to the Stedelijk Musuem and Rijkmusuem were a must and should be on your list too, should you find yourself in Amsterdam and want to better understand their history, art, and culture. Another must: pancakes for breakfast. I found that no morning in Amsterdam felt complete without indulging in their delicious pancakes to start the day.
Exploring Amsterdam’s iconic canals was a highlight and offered insight into the city’s rich history and heritage. I re-read Anne Frank while there and it served as a heartbreaking reminder of the darker parts of human history. The Dutch invented the stock market and their knack for innovation was evident, especially in their incredible water management system, as reflected in the name “AmsterDAM”. Netherlands means low lands, which were essentially swamp lands, and they dried it up for agricultural purposes - genius! There is a captivating, rich tradition of Dutch art - Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh, and Piet Mondrian, to name a few.
Notable also is the Dutch directness. It didn’t bother me, but I did overhear a waiter telling a customer that she could not have any more salad dressing because the chef prepared the salad with exactly the right amount of dressing. It was entertaining to witness.
We capped off our time in Amsterdam with a 7-course meal at The White Room, the city’s oldest restaurant. It was lovely… that is, until they served pigeon for the main course.
Berlin
Berlin is a sprawling metropolis, far larger than Amsterdam, making it a bit challenging to explore solely on foot. However, the city’s cleanliness and organization are notable, and with over 170 museums, there’s no shortage of cultural experiences to indulge in - the history of East and West Berlin being one of them. The story here is both fascinating and heart-wrenching, yet they are in full acknowledgement of their wrong doings. The Berlin Wall is now a captivating public art installation.
I stayed near Tiergarten Park at the SO/ Berlin, featuring a modern, luxe aesthetic and centrally located to major city sights. Of all the museums I explored, the Neue Nationalgallerie designed by Mies Van Der Rohe stood out as my favorite. It was the first time I’ve experienced one of his architectural marvels and I was in awe. The museum's focus on European and American 20th-century masterpieces was incredible, with a stunning entrance to match. You enter on the main level into a city block sized open atrium made of steel and brick and then you venture downstairs to enter the museum. It’s so grand and captivating.
I made time to explore a few iconic, touristy landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, and museum island. The architecture is oversized and truly breathtaking. To top it off, I treated myself to an incredible dinner at the trendy Hoxton Hotel, complete with schnitzel and mashed potatoes with poached eggs on top. I love both of those things, but had never had them together. Unique and delicious!
Vienna
After my trek through Berlin, I welcomed Vienna, and its accessibility and ease of exploration, with open arms. The embellished apartment block buildings are simply divine, a feast for the eyes. I also enjoyed all of the smaller scale, charming public parks with beautiful blossoming trees nestled into the city.
Austria happens to be the home of classical music and a few of my favorite artists – Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Friedensreich Hudertwasser. Seeing their works and breadth of their talent in person was awe inspiring. Vienna is a true treasure trove of artistic wonders. Turning to the culinary scene, every restaurant has a glass case of sweets and cakes. I sampled several, but didn’t find any to be particularly special. I found the famous Sacher chocolate cake to be disappointedly dry and lacking flavor. Sorry, Vienna.
Overall, the city felt like a gentler version of Paris; a bit more classical and traditional with similar conservative charm.
Although I love to share my travels and where I find inspiration, my main role is to bring modern, luxury interior design to homes and spaces in Atlanta, Maine, New Hampshire, and beyond.
Interested in working with Violet Marsh Interiors on you interior design project? Book a discovery call to see if we are a fit!
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