By now you’ve taken the virtual tours and the online classes, sorted through the souvenirs, and tapped into the tips to keep your love of travel alive while you're waiting for the world to reopen. But you can also set up your home base to transport you elsewhere, with decor that reminds you of places you’ve been, or bucket-list destinations you’ve yet to visit. Here are a handful ideas to put you in a far-off state of mind.
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1. Wedgwood Wonderlust Collection tea set
Afternoon tea is one of the UK’s finest traditions, and it’s easily replicated at home, even if you don’t have the means to pull off the Savoy’s luxurious spread. Designed in Staffordshire, England, and drawing inspiration the Grand Tour – that famous jaunt around Europe and Asia popular a few centuries ago among members of the upper classes – Wedgwood’s Wonderlust collection references floral motifs and architectural details from both continents. From mugs and saucers to candles and picture frames, it’s a travel-oriented way to upgrade your midday cuppa. Wonderlust Collection tea set, from $14; wedgwood.com
2. Absolut Elyx copper Dala horse
Since its introduction hundreds of years ago, the hand-carved, vividly painted horse known as the Dalahäst has become one of Sweden’s most iconic symbols, and today it’s a popular souvenir, particularly for travelers to Nusnäs, in the Dalarna region, where workshops dedicated to the four-legged figurines abound. For a luxe version of the folk handiwork, there’s no need to cross the Atlantic; instead, look to Absolut Vodka’s Elyx Boutique, where the copper Dala horse drinking vessel puts a serious shine on the classic silhouette – and improves your at-home happy-hour game tenfold. Copper Dala horse, $149; absolutelyxboutique.com
3. Verve Culture tortilla press
It’s a sad truth of food delivery that tacos don’t travel well, so whether you’re craving al pastor from the holes-in-the-wall of Mexico City or fusion concoctions from the joint a few neighborhoods over, your best bet is to put them together yourself. Made in Mexico from sturdy recycled iron, like old Singer sewing-machine parts, and painted a cheery bright-red, Verve Culture’s cast-iron press will have you cranking out the tortillas like a pro in no time. Tortilla press, $45; verveculture.com
4. Ricco Deruta pasta bowl
These days you’re probably slurping your noodles on the sofa as you binge-watch Netflix’s latest, but there’s no reason you can’t take it up a notch. The hilltop town of Deruta, in Umbria, is known for its ceramics, and BellaSoleil.com imports its pottery directly from the region, the classic Ricco Deruta pattern being especially popular. The pieces conjure up an instant sense of place – and there’s no denying a fancy bowl has the power to take a workaday spaghetti dinner to the next level. In Italy, ceramics production has been on hold, but a representative from the website reports that, while their artisans are waiting at home until it’s safe to go back to their studios, the country is slowly opening up again. “Things are going to be a little weird for a while, but we’ll figure out a way to adapt,” she says. Ricco Deruta pasta bowl, $48; bellasoleil.com
5. Songa Bedawi modern basket
From the Virunga volcanoes to the beaches of Lake Kivu, Rwanda is one of those destinations that has to be seen to be believed. An African sojourn may not be in the cards right now, but you can still get a feel for the country via Songa, a lifestyle brand that aims to help local women achieve financial independence through artisanal craftsmanship. These colorful, contemporary Bedawi baskets are handwoven from banana-leaf fiber, sisal, and repurposed cow horn – a nature-inspired reflection of the country’s vibrant culture. Bedawi modern basket, $80; songadesigns.com
6. Bloom & Give Tushar dhurrie rug
India’s carpet-makers are some of the finest in the world, with workshops around the country devoted to the craft. Browsing the wares in person is half the fun, but given the child-labor concerns surrounding the industry, ordering online through a company that’s committed to fair-trade practices is a smart move. Bloom & Give checks up on its suppliers through in-person visits a few times a year, and its designs are refreshingly modern. Handwoven in Banskhon, Rajasthan, on wooden looms, the brand’s washable cotton dhurrie rugs feature bold geometric patterns and muted color palettes – a stylish spin on a centuries-old craft. Tushar dhurrie rug, from $240; bloomandgive.com
7. Juniper Ridge incense
After weeks of quarantining in too-crowded quarters, the siren song of the great outdoors is tough to resist – particularly as the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer. But in many places, pitching a tent isn’t a viable option just yet, whether it’s because the parks are still closed or the nearby communities too vulnerable. For those who miss sitting around a smoky fire, Juniper Ridge’s synthetic-free incense channels the aromas of the camping experience, from the Douglas firs of the Pacific Cascades to the piñons of Santa Fe’s high desert. Juniper Ridge incense gift set, $60; juniperridge.com
8. Bath Diamond bioluminescent bath bomb
Swimming in bioluminescence is an unforgettable experience, whether you’re taking a dip off a rocky shoreline in Japan, floating in a luminous lagoon in Jamaica, or watching the dolphins play from a beach in California. But even if you’re landlocked without access to a glowing ocean, you can recreate the magic at home, thanks to Bath Diamond’s bioluminescent bath bombs. Made with a light-producing compound called marine luciferin, plus lavender, rosemary, and benzoin essential oils, they’ll turn your tub into a convincing stand-in for wilder waters. Bioluminescent bath bomb, $70; bathdiamond.com
9. Kari by Kriti shibori curtains
A traditional Japanese technique akin to tie-dye, in which fabric is bundled, twisted, and dipped into vats of natural indigo, shibori experienced a bit of a renaissance a few years back, popping up in trendy textiles, furniture, wallpaper, and more. These breezy curtains – inspired by Japan and made in India, in small batches, by Kari by Kriti’s Kriti Jindal – may not replace the thrill of seeing a new country firsthand for the first time, but for globetrotters missing their freedom, they represent two cultures for the price of one. Kari by Kriti shibori curtains, from $33; etsy.com
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