There is something about Europe that continues to call me back.
Each visit feels familiar, inspiring, and deeply rooted in something that has always been part of me. My parents were born in Poland and met in Canada. Whenever I travel through neighbouring countries and islands beyond, I feel an undeniable sense of connection as though I am revisiting pieces of history while discovering something entirely new at the same time.
Recently, I visited Spain and Portugal and once again I was reminded why these experiences shape not only who I am personally, but also how I approach design and decor.
The architecture was intricate and patient. The buildings created with intention, where every carved detail and weathered stone seemed to tell a story. There was an appreciation for craftsmanship that cannot be rushed. Chiseled stone softened by time. Streets lined with textures and materials that have aged with grace.
The fabrics moved naturally with the landscape. Linens flowing in the breeze, organic textures layered with ease, and interiors that felt effortless yet thoughtfully composed. The colours felt borrowed directly from nature itself. Fields of homegrown crops, endless blooms, sun-washed earth, ocean blues, and warm tones reflecting generations of culture and place.
What strikes me most each time I travel is that beauty is rarely accidental. It lives in the details.
It appears in the curve of a doorway, the hand-finished plaster, the local stone, the woven textile, the proportion of a room, and the way people create spaces that invite connection and slow living.
And then there are the people.
Kind. Cultured. Proud of their history while continuing to create for tomorrow.
Every step, every corner, every village and city feels layered with stories. Stories of long before and stories still waiting to be written.
These moments never stay behind when I return home.
They become woven into my work.
As an interior and exterior design consultant, I carry these experiences into the homes and spaces I help create. I believe beautiful spaces should feel collected rather than rushed, timeless rather than temporary, and deeply connected to the people who live within them.
My goal is never simply to design a space that looks beautiful today.
It is to create spaces filled with beauty, function, warmth, and thoughtful details that stand the test of time. I create spaces that can be lived in, loved, and enjoyed for generations to come.
Travel reminds me that great design is not about following trends. It is about creating something meaningful enough to last. And for that reason, I know Europe will always continue to inspire me.
Written by:
Ania Maternicki
AVA INTERIOR DESIGN
Direct: 416-889-2642
Email: AVAinteriorDesign@yahoo.ca