Drawing Design Inspiration from Destinations
Our team here at Emily June Designs draws design inspiration from everywhere. From everyday objects and local coffee shops, to our travels across the country and around the world. Today, we're hearing from the EJD team about their most memorable travel destinations and how those journeys shape their design choices.
Charleston, South Carolina
Several members of our team have experienced the charm of Charleston, South Carolina, a city rich with architectural inspiration. Among its most iconic sights is Rainbow Row, which is a famous series of historic homes near Charleston Harbor painted in a pastel palette of colors. Further inland, King Street offers an exceptional mix of local shopping and dining, including high-end antique shops and home boutiques unique to Charleston. Throughout the city, historic buildings stand preserved or thoughtfully restored, allowing past architecture and modern living to coexist. This architectural heritage is further enriched by Charleston’s many historic churches, with unique stories and diverse styles.
Barcelona, Spain
Another endless source of creativity is Barcelona, Spain - a city that overflows with inspiration, thanks to its vibrant energy and unforgettable structures. A pillar of Barcelona’s architectural identity is Antoni Gaudí, whose work turns traditional geometry on its head. Iconic designs like the towering Sagrada Família, the wavy facade of Casa Milà, and the whimsical, shapes in Park Güell showcase his truly revolutionary take on modernism. What truly makes his work stand out is his attention to the smaller details like this wooden door framed by rich blue tiles and carved marble to the mosaic-tiled ceiling inside Park Güell Room. Beyond Gaudí, Barcelona is one large architectural timeline spanning across centuries. The residential neighborhoods of the Gothic Quarter, a personal favorite, and El Born offer inspiration beyond what can be seen in the states. It’s a place where deep history and innovative art collide at every single corner and gives you a constant stream of new ideas.
Savannah, Georgia
Our team draws design inspiration from a town known for its southern hospitality and timeless beauty: Savannah, Georgia. One of the most notably beautiful destinations in Savannah is Jones Street, renowned as one of the most beautiful streets in America. It is lined with multi-story historic homes featuring classic symmetry, stair and balcony ironwork, shutters, fun paint colors, and American flags flying from nearly every balcony.
The city is famous for housing the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), whose campus seamlessly integrates into the city through adaptive reuse - repurposing the city’s original structures for educational buildings, museums, retail establishments, and a tea house and restaurant called the Gryphon. Equally captivating are Savannah’s 22 historic town squares. Originally designed for military strategy, these squares now serve as charming public parks flanked by historic residential and commercial architecture.
Athens & Paros, Greece
Greece offers a luminous feeling. Looking out over the roofs of Athens, the sea of terracotta and stone reveals how a simple backdrop can highlight natural textures. Standing before the Parthenon on the Acropolis was such a memorable experience - its massive columns revealed how architecture can truly transcend time. We’re inspired through the details everywhere we look: inlaid marble sunbursts beneath our feet, the glowing church facade framing the night sky, and subtle blue domes that catch light. These textures underscored how design should respond to climate and lifestyle, marrying comfort with beauty. The lightness of Greece, this trip was a reminder that the environment shapes experience. The lessons I brought home - simplify, embrace contrast, create for connection - will continue to shape how we design beautiful spaces.
