Staycation Sensations: An Interior Design Expert's Advice

| Print Post This | Like (0) | Comments (0)

WHEN ERIN LARKIN works on designing a hotel room, she takes her cues from what will be hanging on the walls. "Art really inspires what I do," says the 25-year-old hospitality interior designer, who works in the D.C. office of architecture and interior design firm BBG-BBGM (BBG-BBGM.com).

"A lot of times, I will start there when I'm trying to come up with a theme or a feeling."
An abstract work, for example, might steer Larkin toward sleek, contemporary furnishings. Photographs often lead to interiors with earthy, natural elements.

During her three years with BBG-BBGM, Larkin has worked on local hotel projects such as the Hyatt Fair Lakes; the Westin Grand properties in the District's West End and Herndon; and the new Marriott Marquis coming to downtown Washington. She's also come up with decorating concepts for hotel lobbies and guest rooms in places such as Aruba and South Florida's Singer Island.

A summertime beach getaway, or any kind of vacation for that matter, might not be in the cards for many people this year. But Larkin, who is also the writer and creator of DCdesignblog.com, has some tips for bringing a vacation vibe to your home, sweet home. Here are seven easy ways to make the domestic feel more exotic, all without forking over a paycheck for plane fare or resort fees.

1. FEEL THE BREEZE
Turn off the air-conditioning, open the windows, and enjoy the fresh air. "Get an oversized fan — maybe one of those big bronze metal fans with an antique feel that makes you feel like being at a bungalow resort in the Caribbean," Larkin says. Blow into somewhere like Home Depot (Homedepot.com) or Target (Target.com) to pick one up.

2. CAST YOUR CARES ASIDE
Clutter, bills and paperwork aren't very relaxing. So, get them out of your sight. "Go to the Container Store (Containerstore.com) or Target, get some wicker baskets, and hide all those things that stress you out," Larkin says. "When you come home, you can truly escape."

3. BURN, BABY, BURN
Scented candles go a long way toward evoking the feel of a tropical oasis or the French countryside. Larkin likes Target for good basic candles, and Urban Outfitters (Urbanoutfitters.com) and Cusp (3030 M St. NW; 202-625-0893; Cusp.com) for fun scents such as mandarin mint.

4. LET THE SUN SHINE IN
"Remove any heavy curtains or drapes and replace them with white sheers to let you enjoy the sunlight," Larkin says.

5. ADD A TOUCH OF THE TROPICS
Use plants to turn your urban condo into an island getaway. "Go to your local market, buy some exotic flowers, and set them up on your coffee table," Larkin says. "Or get a simple, large vase from Pier 1 (Pier1.com), get some long palm leaves, and cascade them in your living room."

6. MAKE THE BED
Say bye-bye to busy bed linens. "Replace the duvet cover on your bed with a simple white one from Ikea (Ikea.com) or Target," Larkin says. "You'll get an instant feeling that you're at a resort, since that's what hotel bedding is these days."

7. BRIGHTEN UP
Replace throw pillows, rugs and accessories with brightly colored accents in shades such as teal, orange and pink. Larkin suggests retailers such as Crate & Barrel (Crateandbarrel.com) for affordable buys or shops such as Vastu (1829 14th St. NW; 202-234-8344; Vastudc.com) for higher-end goods.

Written for Express by contributor Beth Luberecki
Photos by Marge Ely/Express