Guest Post: Jane of Ill Seen, Ill Said

In today's guest post, it's almost as if Jane from Ill Seen, Ill Said read my mind and wrote my very own travel dreams. I'm still on one vacation and already she's got me dreaming of the next!

Hi everyone! Jane here from Ill Seen, Ill Said. Unlike Crystal, I don't get to travel a lot these days. But I have done a fair bit in my time. And the more I think about the places that I've traveled to and lived in, as well as the places I still want to go, the more I can see certain trends emerging; some country-specific and others more thematic.

1. Ireland
I have to start with my homeland. I don't live in Ireland any more, so it's officially my favourite place to travel to. And, having lived there for 20-something years, who can doubt the permanent affect it had on my design sensibility. There's a rugged charm to everything from home. And just as the country is richly layered with history and patina, so the homes are too.

2. Sweden

In stark contrast, my minimal side finds Swedish homes very appealing. The clean slate gives leaves space to breathe, as well as inherent charm and cheerfulness, which is exactly what I'm looking for from a vacation destination as well as an abode. I haven't been to Sweden, but I'm hoping to go some day. In the meantime, this is a country that's very much influencing my design sensibility from afar.

3. History

I like stories. And I like antiques and eclectic, highly personal collections too. So, a sense of history is important to me both in travel and decor. The idea of going to a newly-built luxury resort does not appeal. Give me an old hotel with creaky floors and oil paintings, a town with old museums and churches with crypts and windy streets instead! In decor, I like to tell stories too. Perhaps with a little more restraint, but there's always a mix of new and old and prominent, personal collections and objects.

4. The Sea

Because I grew up on an island, the sea plays a leading role in my holiday fantasies. I love homes that conjure that beach-like feeling. The thought of throwing open a door or window and hearing or smelling the ocean is the very epitome of relaxation for me. Even though I'm a neutral kind of girl, greens and blues seem to sneak into my decor schemes. And I didn't realize until a friend pointed out that I've managed to scatter shells around my apartment too. Even when I'm not aware of it, I'm secretly yearning to be by the sea.

And there you have it! My ideal vacation and my dream home in one package. I'm not sure how it all goes together, but that's the fun of a decorating challenge! Thanks for coming on this little tour with me. And a huge thanks to Crystal for inviting me to take this virtual holiday on Plush Palate!

Jane

xx

Image credits: Ireland: 1. From my Flickr 2. From Rathmullan Cottages, via my blog 3. From World of Interiors, via my blog 4. From my Flickr Sweden: 1. From Chelsea's Flickr 2. From The Crown, via Decorology 3. From KML Design, via Stuart McIntyre, via Hugh Stewart, via Hugh Stewart, via Katy Elliott's Flickr 4. From Pony Tail's Flickr The Sea: 1. From Skona Hem 3. From Domino via Automatism 4. From Eros Turannos' Flickr