Taking a Trip to the Amalfi Coast with Will Brown

I don’t know about you, but I have been having a serious case of wanderlust this summer! Dreaming of adventure, I look back fondly at my time spent in France and Italy with my husband after our wedding.  The way we got lost in the rain in Paris (not fun at the time but looking back with rose-colored glasses it seems romantic) and the excitement of exploring Venice and Rome are memories I hold onto when trying to beat the heat here in Kansas City.  Being able to travel and find new inspiration is something that never gets old. However, between taking care of an always on the go three-year-old boy and being the new steward of Nell Hill’s, my travel schedule as of late has been non-existent.  That is why when I heard my friend (and talented local designer) Will Brown had just gotten back from a gorgeous trip to the Amalfi Coast, I couldn’t wait to see him and hear all about the wonderful things he got to experience.  With my mind full of pastel-colored fishing villages, sprawling vineyards and cliff-side lemon groves, I begged Will to bring a bit of the Amalfi Coast to me!

That’s why I invited Will over to the shop to not only tell me all about his fabulous vacation, but also to set up an Amalfi Coast inspired design so all of us could enjoy a little bit of this oasis before we head into fall! We had so much fun setting up a living room and dining area in his Amalfi-inspired aesthetic.  What I really loved about seeing his inspiration photos was the juxtaposition between the traditional, earthy stone buildings and pops of vibrant color.  From the turquoise of the sea to the bright lemon groves and back to the pastel villages nestled on rocky cliffs, the accents of color give the easy coastal vibe that truly brings this design to life. 

We searched the shop grabbing greens, blues, corals and yellows to fill our rooms with the whimsy and energy that Will felt on his vacation.  No detail went unnoticed! From the lush lemon trees displayed around the space to bring in memories of the groves he explored and a freshly chilled bar cart (hey, it’s not a vacation without a cold drink in your hand) to the delicate shell details on the chargers, the coast was brought right here to the midwest!

While hearing about his adventures I was struck by his mealtime experiences.  Being right by the sea everything was colorful, fresh, and most importantly- made to be enjoyed by many!  The social aspect of dining is something that I hold near and dear (as do many of my fellow hosts and hostesses I’m sure).  Using a meal to express your passions, not only with food but with design, is something that you can tell was a big part of his trip.  We wanted to make sure that translated to our tablescape with sharable plates located throughout the table instead of a traditional setup.  To incorporate the simplistic but beautiful atmosphere of this outdoor oasis, we added topiaries and more lemon accents to the table to recreate the feeling of nature at your fingertips. 

There are many ways to get inspired by different locations, and I am so happy Will was able to come play with us at the shop and bring you this beautiful display.  If you missed seeing this display in the shop, you can see more Amalfi eye candy in the next issue of Simply KC where Will shares his experiences from his trip, even including some mouth-watering nibbles! I would also love to hear about some of your own travel experiences so I can take note for when I can start exploring again! Until next time, happy decorating!

More About Will Brown: When it comes to being a creative problem solver, Will Brown of Will Brown Interiors doesn’t look to simply place furniture inside the confines of a space. In fact, since he’s started his own small interior design studio this year, he’s been seeking out creative ways to collaborate with local designers, industry professionals and businesses as he believes that design solutions are far better when relationships are strengthened and ideas shared. Schooled as a graphic designer with years of gift product development, photography and styling experience, he brings a unique design perspective and sophisticated aesthetic influence to the world of interior design. To learn more about Will’s trip to the coast check out his post here.

Photo Credits: Madison King, Will Brown, Michael Ong and Subashini Nadarajah