If you’re like me, the sunshine and blue skies of spring will inspire you to think of travel abroad. Holidays are a perfect opportunity to pick up those interesting and unusual items that bring individuality and personality to your home.

Here are some ideas on what to look for, and how to avoid the ‘knick-knack’ trap and that sinking feeling when you unpack your holiday find and think “it looked great in that Moroccan souk but I’m not sure now I’ve got it home…”

Add an exotic touch

Foreign markets and souks are an obvious starting point for holiday shopping, but why not search out those interesting antique and design shops in the side streets too? Beautiful fabrics, rugs and throws are always worth looking out for, and flea markets are often a treasure trove of unusual lighting. And remember – less is more, so try not to get carried away and go too boho.

Create a beach vibe

Step away from the sunbed and go hunting for items that will give an escapist feel to your home. A bleached piece of driftwood or a large shell can look stunning in a living room or bathroom. Just be careful not to bring home coral or shells picked up from the beach as this can be against local laws.

You can also never have too many handcrafted baskets – they’re great for storage and will hopefully spark wonderful memories of your travels.

Spice up your kitchen

I can’t resist a hand painted bowl – my kitchen is full of them and my daughter even said recently, “please… no more bowls Mum”. Italy has wonderful pottery in fabulous colours, as do Spain and Portugal, while Asia is good for interesting porcelain bowls.

In France you can find beautiful coloured linen tea towels and napkins. Look out for brightly woven place mats – great for an injection of colour into an all-white kitchen.

Snap up a keepsake

Aim to seek out things that will become part of your life. Affordable artwork can often be found abroad – I have an original Aborigine painting from a recent trip to Australia, which adds a contemporary touch
to my hallway and reminds me of sunnier climes. We came home from Marrakech one year with a set of bellows for our BBQ – they come out every summer, a reminder of a lovely holiday.

Introduce a talking point

A weekend away in the UK can also be a source of inspiration. Look for beautiful handwoven throws and blankets, and individual handmade pottery. Search out those unique artisan-crafted pieces that give an individual feel to your home.

Look for unusual items that make you smile or have a story – a Chinese wooden bowl in the shape of a pelican and an African carved money bracelet are some of the more unusual finds from my trips. Carefully curated items like these are what makes a home stylish, unique and special to you. Happy souvenir hunting!