Image by Flickr user thewatchmakerproject

Amazing Architecture

I studied at Delft University and saw incredible architecture by young designers in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. Their designs are still relevant and fun to visit and live in – they have a wonderful sense of humour, which all architecture should have.

Hotel Havens

The Santa Teresa Hotel in Rio de Janeiro, tucked away on a hill overlooking a bay, has simplicity of design that gives one space to really experience its scale and textures. I’ve long been an admirer of Brazilian architecture and its furniture from the 1950s to ’60s era, so this hotel particularly appeals to me.

Stylish Sips

Matthew Biancaniello’s pine sap-infused St Germain or vanilla pod-infused vodka cocktails at the Library Bar in the depths of The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel are divine. A woman once hired him for 11 hours just so he could make cocktails for her alone.

Image courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum

Culture Vultures

London is always a wonderful resource for museums. I also visited Oslo recently and fell in love with their history of maritime exploration as portrayed through their incredible museums.

Image courtesy of ThinkStock/ChiccoDodiFC

Favourite Finds

Flea markets are where I make my best discoveries. Some favourite treasures include a picnic table and benches that pack up neatly into a suitcase, and solid bronze window handles that I’ve repurposed for my powder room door

Image by Flickr user seaofvapours

Intrepid Inspiration

Norway’s vernacular dwellings are intriguing, not least because of their history: they have a distinctive red hue, which was traditionally made using the blood and oil from fish and other animals because it was cheap to produce. Although more rare, I find fish underwater during my scuba diving trips one of the most rewarding visual explorations.

Image courtesy of ThinkStock/bhofack2

In Los Angeles, you can have the best of everything: lengua tacos, barbecued bulgogi, spicy bone-broth ramen, thin-crust pizza, US$1 ice cream, freshly baked cookies, simple but superb sandwiches and vegan tempeh.

Image by Flicker user pedrojota1980

Dream Homes

Every time I go to California, I think I’d like to live there. There’s so much I enjoy when I visit the place, not least the extremes of weather – the sunshine and the snow. And the national parks are amazing; there are so many and they are vast.