Beer Trumps Oasis Every Time
I had to stop for a beer
when I walked by this darling cafe in Chiang Mai, Thailand on the inner side of the Tapae Gate. The greenery and natural finishes reminded me of a space straight out of an enchanted forest scene and stood out on the dry, dusty, sandy roadside.
Cafe oasis in Chiang Mai, Thailand
There is so much going on (design-wise) in this outdoor cafe that my eyes hardly knew where to... Read More
What the Hell Are Those?
So here we are again…
For this Design Election, both pictures are from the same poorly (i.e.: super-tacky, ugly and cheesy) decorated hotel in Panama City, Panama.
Remember when you were a kid (or in my case, remember last night…) when you played the “which is worse…” game? You know, the game with ridiculous theoretical questions about what would be worse and... Read More
Thorny, Woody Vines of Beauty
This beautiful flower has a funny name.
Which is half of the reason why I love it – it’s so much fun to say! Try it yourself…
“Bougainvillea“. Need help? Try this: “Boo-Gun-Vil-Yee-Ah”.
Bougainvilleas - a pure pop of colour!
According to our good friends over at Wikipedia, Bougainvillea’s are native to South America from Brazil west to Peru, and... Read More
New Design + Mother Nature = Good Friends
There is something
…about mixing contemporary/modern elements with traditional/natural finishes that just tickles me pink!
It takes practice to be able to SUCCESSFULLY fuse the industrial and the natural. When it comes to Man vs. Mother-Earth there are a few simple rules I like to follow to create a space that remains fresh and minimal, yet inviting and warm.
Here’s the space up for... Read More
Hang Your Hat in France
I couldn’t help but smile…
when I came across this playful wallpaper, so I just had to share it with you!
Atlas Wallpaper from www.yesspaces.com
I have always had a thing for Atlases and globe models… You’re obviously thinking this little obsession of mine is directly related to my love for traveling the world (which is partially correct) but it’s more than that. ... Read More
THAT’S the toilet?
Just like all you design-loving travelers,
…I have experienced a quickened heart rate due to exceptional design on numerous occasions.
However, during my adventures through South East Asia, I encountered fewer well-designed spaces as my travels became more remote (and my budget quickly evaporated) and I actually found myself becoming accustomed to ridiculously designed spaces. Looking... Read More
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall…
Oh my.
Symmetrical architecture. Symmetrical design. Symmetrical spaces.
Symmetry. *sigh of relief*
View of hallway in National Library (Glasgow, Scotland)
There is something so zen, so balanced, so safe about symmetrical design. FYI, I am not attempting to downplay the word “safe” into meaning “easy”…I literally mean it as a space that makes one feel safe. In... Read More
Wood vs. Plaster
Welcome to the Wood vs. Plaster edition of Design Election!
Here we have two different bedroom spaces that each exhibit an interpretation of exotic/tropical design.
Which space do you prefer? Leave a comment with your vote…and if you’re feeling extra e-social, tell me why you like one space more than the other.
Photo taken from houseandhome.com's 2009 Best Homes
ABOVE: ROOM... Read More
A Little Bit About Me
Welcome to Passport To Design! My name is Tania. I love Design almost as much as I love Travel, and here is where my two loves collide. Check out the "About Me" page for more info. Thanks for reading. Happy travels, my dear design-loving friends.
Social Bling:
See My Articles On:
AWARD WINNER
Featured On:
Official Sponsors
