A Designer's Takeaway From Mexico: Don't Be Afraid of Color

There’s something about traveling that always leaves me looking at design a little differently when I come home. And after our recent trip to Mexico, I came back feeling especially inspired.

Mexico is filled with color, texture, pattern, and warmth. Everywhere we went, there was something beautiful to notice—from the rich colors and handmade details to the gorgeous tile-work and the way indoor and outdoor spaces seemed to flow together so naturally.

As a designer, I’m always taking mental pictures when we travel. I notice the floors, the walls, the architecture, the lighting, and all those little details that give a place its personality. Mexico was definitely one of those trips where I found myself constantly thinking, “How could we bring a little bit of this feeling home?”

Falling in Love With Tile All Over Again

One of my favorite design elements throughout the trip was the tile.

Tile is such an amazing way to add personality to a space. It doesn’t always have to be the safe, neutral choice. It can be colorful, patterned, handmade-looking, imperfect, and completely unique.

That’s something I want to encourage our clients to have a little more fun with.

We have so many beautiful tile options available right here at Tolin Designs, including colors, patterns, textures, and styles that can create that same collected, warm feeling I loved seeing in Mexico.

A bold tile doesn’t necessarily mean an entire room has to be bold, either. Sometimes it’s the backsplash behind a bar, the floor of a powder room, the inside of a shower niche, or an unexpected pattern in a laundry room that becomes the detail everyone remembers.

I’m excited to show off more of the tile we have available and hopefully inspire our clients to step outside of the traditional choices when the space calls for it.

More Than a Design Trip

This trip was also really special for us personally.

My husband, Jake, and I own Tolin Designs together, which means so much of our life is intertwined with the business. We’re husband and wife, parents, business partners, designers, builders, problem-solvers—and on any given day, probably a little bit of everything in between.

While we were in Mexico, we renewed our vows as husband and wife.

It was such a meaningful reminder that before the projects, schedules, meetings, decisions, and all the craziness that comes with owning a business together, there is us.

Building a company together has been one of the biggest adventures of our marriage. We’ve grown, taken risks, made mistakes, celebrated some incredible wins, and created something together that we’re really proud of. Taking time away to reconnect and renew the promises we made to each other made this trip even more special.

And maybe that’s another reason I came home so inspired.

Creating Homes That Feel Like You

Mexico reminded me that beautiful design isn’t always about everything matching perfectly. Some of the most memorable spaces are layered with history, craftsmanship, color, natural materials, and pieces that tell a story.

That’s something I want to continue bringing into our work at Tolin Designs.

I love a beautiful neutral space, but I also love helping our clients find those unexpected details that make their home feel personal. Maybe that’s a colorful tile, a handmade-looking backsplash, a patterned floor, warm wood tones, or simply having the confidence to choose something you love instead of something that feels “safe.”

Travel has a way of reminding us just how much inspiration exists outside of our everyday surroundings.

I came home from Mexico grateful for the time with my family and husband, inspired by the warmth and beauty of the culture, and very ready to use some more colorful tile.

So if you stop into our showroom soon, don’t be surprised if I try to talk you into something with a little more color.

Cheers, Krystal <3

Make Space for Transformation.Tolin Designs