In this post, Fig Linens and Home dives into how to curate home decor inspired by travel. We interviewed Kelcy Jenkins, the Connecticut-based curator of Passport by Design for her top tips on the intersection of interiors and travel. We talked jetsetting, designing a home based on your travels, and shopping locally in Connecticut. Let's dive in!
What is the Intersection of Travel, Interior Design, and Shopping Locally?
We at Fig Linens and Home are huge proponents of shopping local small businesses, especially woman-owned small businesses. However, shopping local does not need to be limited to shopping at home. It is also important to shop local, small businesses while you are travelling.
Furthermore, travel can be a great inspiration for home decor. We have written extensively about using travel as inspiration for interior design including articles on curating interiors inspired by Paris, France and Porto, Portugal. One of our best selling designers, John Robshaw, gains inspiration for his block printed textiles and his home from his travels throughout India and Southeast Asia. Learn more in the At Home in Connecticut Interview with designer John Robshaw below.
“I want all the colors, techniques and designs from each culture to blend. I redesign them and mix up the processes. I edit them, learn from them, make them my own, but retain their essence.”
What is Passport by Design, and Who is Kelcy Jenkins?
Based on our interest in travel and shopping locally, we decided to interview Kelcy Jenkins for the latest this edition of our "Love Westport" series.
Kelcy is a graphic designer, marketing professional, and the mind behind Passport by Design. Passport design is a self-proclaimed "travel blog for design lovers." Kelcy founded Passport by Design in 2018 with the goal of inspiring readers to travel and experience art without waiting for the "ideal time." PxD encourages readers to step out of their comfort zone and embrace their interest in creative careers.
Kelcy is a lover of art, interior design, travel, and shopping locally. She is based in Connecticut and interested in discovering the extraordinary in our local area. Her writing covers everything from the hyperlocal (like a visit to the Westport Museum) to the faraway (see her posts on architecture in Abu Dhabi & Navigating the Seoul Subway, for example!).
Kelcy joins us to discuss starting Passport by Design, her love of travel, and the importance of shopping at small businesses. We finish off with a Passport by Design-approved Fig Linens and Home Wish List from the New Spring Summer 2023 John Robshaw collection.
Our Coversation with Connecticut-Based Travel and Design Expert, Kelcy Jenkins
Can you speak a little bit about Passport by Design and how you decided to start it?
I received a wanderlust gene that has been passed down from generation to generation. The passport pictured, belonged to my grandmother and documents a cruise she took to Morocco. I can only imagine the beautiful sights she saw. Morocco is a great destination to experience beautiful textiles and other handmade items. It's on my bucket list for sure.
I learned to sew at an early age and would visit fabric stores with my mother. We would shop through fabric rolls of vibrant colors and patterns, each one more exciting than the last. Then she would teach me how to make curtains and pillow covers. I loved having unique home items that stood out from the rest.
There was a point where I thought about becoming an interior designer. I chose graphic design because of the flexibility of the field. However, I have a true love for design in all forms. This includes designing a home that you never want to leave. And if you love to travel, it makes sense to include that in your design. There is a never ending amount of inspiration. Each destination inspires your next design.
I created Passport by Design in 2018 as I was leaving my twenties and looking for a new creative outlet. I saw lots of travel blogs, but few focused on art. A lot of the things I looked forward to on my travels included art. What does the architecture look like in this country? Is the country known for beautiful ikat or block print textiles? What is the local art scene like?
I have a Graphic Design background and wanted to provide resources to help people fund their travels through remote design work. This is how Passport by Design was born.
My mother came up with the name.
How does travel influence your passion for interior design?
Travel has a big influence on my interior design choices. When it comes to purchasing curtains, I love choosing patterns inspired by faraway lands. I’ve also bought fabric and sewn my own curtains and pillow covers.
Whether it's my curtains, linens or any other home textile, I love textures and patterns that remind me of foreign destinations. Some of these I purchase when I'm abroad and others I buy locally.
It's hard to buy sheets abroad for example, since bed sizes are different all over the world. I made this mistake once. Bed sheets are something I definitely prefer to buy locally.
What are your top tips for curating interiors that reflect your love for travel?
My first tip is to not be nervous about trying something new or purchasing an item no one else has. That's what will make your home unique.
Second, your travels can become the artwork in your home. I have photos from my trips that I have blown up and framed. This brings a very unique touch to my spaces. It's something that can bring happiness every time you step into your room. Experience your beautiful photo and be reminded of the trip that you took. I enjoy photos of mountains. Photographs of the local architecture are also nice.
What do you like purchasing when you are abroad versus when you are home?
When I'm abroad I purchase lots of ceramics and fabrics. These items are easy to bring back home. I generally pack a few sheets of bubble wrap to keep them safe.
I have also brought a painting home. It was taken off the wooden base frame and rolled up to make it easy to transport it.
I have seen furniture that I wanted to have shipped home. Then came the worries about it getting damaged. I hope to bring home some furniture in the future. There's something special about handmade artisan furniture.
When I'm home I like buying things that are inspired by different locations. I also like buying items that are made in other countries and support the artisans living there. I love purchasing unique dishware and glassware. Then there are the candles and diffusers that remind me of my favorite trips.
What does shopping locally mean to you? How do you shop local, small businesses while you are traveling?
Shopping locally to me means putting your money back into your own community. You're supporting your neighbors and the people you meet when you go grocery shopping. There are so many local shops in Connecticut. Not to mention all the artisans and craftspeople.
When I'm traveling, I love to shop where the locals shop. I dislike going to other countries and seeing souvenirs that aren't even made in that country. The best items are those made by the local people. I enjoy visiting local markets and buying things from artists on the street. It's all about the experience of getting to know their story and supporting them.
What are some items on your Fig Linens and Home wishlist?
Florida Kimono Short Jacket Bathrobe by Yves Delorme
Ekaveer Kidney Throw Pillow by John Robshaw
Vanilla Bourbon Mandarin 250ML Diffuser by Antica Farmacista
Chahan Woven Throw by John Robshaw
Conclusion: Learn More about Curating Interiors Based on Your Travels
For more on how to build home decor inspired by your travels, read House Beautiful's article on the best places to travel for design inspiration. Explore the influence of travel and landscape on architecture and design in the world of hotels with Marriot Bonvoy below. Reach out to the Fig Linens and Home Team with any remaining questions of creating interior design that feels like a reflection of your love for travel.
What is your favorite tip for designing based on your travels? Are there any you feel like we missed? Let us know in the comments!
About the Love Westport Series
As part of our celebration of Local Small Businesses, the Fig Linens and Home Blog is launching a “Love Westport” series in which we spotlight local Connecticut businesses, designers, and tastemakers. This installment spotlighted Kelcy Jenkins, Connecticut resident and travel blogger with an interest in interior design and the curator of Passport by Design.
Sophie Edwards is the head content writer at Fig Linens and Home. She is a bedding, linens, and luxury homeware expert with an interest is the intersection of interior design with fashion, travel and culture. She has a BA in creative writing and sociology from Sarah Lawrence and an MSc from the Oxford University Department of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography.