European Grand Tour with Interior Designer Kevin Gray

During the 18th century, a European Grand Tour was a traditional part of the education for a young upper-class man – and occasional woman. This trip abroad typically lasted several years and was the culmination of their formal education before launching their career and starting a family.

In the summer of 2018, I embarked on a modern European grand tour: 4 countries in 6 weeks. While I was born in the US (Texas!) I spent much of my adult life living and working in Europe, including 10 years in Paris. As an interior designer, my travels are vital for design inspiration and enhance my ability to provide my clients with the latest design sources and trends before they cross the pond to America.

Trendspotting – understanding how people live today and want to live in the future – helps me design unique interiors for my clients who don’t want their homes to look like cookie-cutter replicas. My clients are varied – I work with Americans, Europeans and Latin Americans who want their home to reflect their unique interests, experiences and viewpoints. Travel is critical for me to maintain my contacts with vendors, manufacturers and dealers so that I can source the best pieces for my design projects and create the best interiors for my clients.

Travel along for a peek at my memories from the summer of 2018…

Interior Designer Kevin Gray’s Summer of 2018 European Tour

France
Visiting Paris is like visiting home. Although Thomas Wolfe said you can never go home again, for me Paris will always feel like home. This trip I returned to some old favorites and visited some new favorites.

Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Architect Gai Aulenti redesigned an abandoned train station which opened in December of 1986 with criticism and praise with lines of 20,000 visitors a day! — *Musée d’Orsay, Paris. Architect Gai Aulenti redesigned an abandoned train station which opened in December of 1986 with criticism and praise and lines of 20,000 visitors a day!*

Chez George Paris, cutting edge rooftop restaurant of the George Pompidou Museum. Best art and views in Paris! — *Chez George, Paris, the cutting-edge rooftop restaurant of the George Pompidou Museum. Best art and views in Paris!*

Musee Picasso Paris. The mansion known as “Hotel Sale “was built in 1656 and renovated in 1986 to house Picasso’s private collection. Diego Giacometti was invited to design all the lighting fixtures and furniture. — Musée Picasso, Paris. The mansion known as “Hotel Sale “was built in 1656 and renovated in 1986 to house Picasso’s private collection. Diego Giacometti was invited to design all the lighting fixtures and furniture.

Le Bistro du Peintre, Paris. The bistro of the painter « Au vrai saumur « at 116 Avenue Ledru-Rollin Constructed in 1902 this Art Noveau bistro brasserie has great food in it’s original setting which is packed daily! — Le Bistro du Peintre, Paris. The bistro of the painter “Au vrai saumur” at 116 Avenue Ledru-Rollin Constructed in 1902 this Art Noveau bistro brasserie has great food in its original setting which is packed daily!

Le Train Bleu, Paris , Gare de Lyon. The Reaturant was originally created for the Exposition Universelle in 1900 and each ornate room represents regions of France.. The resturant was designated historical monument in 1972. — Le Train Bleu, Paris, Gare de Lyon. The Restaurant was originally created for the Exposition Universelle in 1900 and each ornate room represents regions of France. The restaurant was designated a historical monument in 1972.

Paris, Marché aux Puces. Always love going to my antique dealers to get one of a kind pieces for my clients. One can’t go wrong with antique Venetian mirrors & chandeliers, or great French mid century. — Paris, Marché aux Puces. Always love going to my antique dealers to get one of a kind pieces for my clients. One can’t go wrong with antique Venetian mirrors and chandeliers, or great French mid-century.

Paris, shopping for my clients at the Marche Biron. Fabulous finds from 1930-40’s Baccarat side tables in gold, crystal to amazing one of a kind finds from the 1960-70’s mid century modern. — Paris, shopping for my clients at the Marché Biron at the Paris Flea Market. Fabulous finds from 1930-40’s Baccarat side tables in gold, crystal to amazing one of a kind finds from 1960 mid-century modern.

ars, Sébastien Gaudard, great design and one of the best chocolate and pastry tea salons in Paris since 1955. Steps away from the Musee Louvre.. morning to night! — *Paris patisserie and salon de thé, Sébastien Gaudard. Great design and one of the best chocolate and pastry tea salons in Paris since 1955. Steps away from the Musée Louvre, open morning to night!*

Paris, Anne Sophie Duval. The most beautiful St Germain store which showcases the best Art Deco & Modernist 40-50’s. Julie Blum is the daugher who has filled her mothers shoes and done a brilliant job. — Paris, Anne Sophie Duval. The most beautiful St Germain store which showcases the best Art Deco & Modernist 40-50’s. Julie Blum is the daughter who has filled her mother’s shoes and done a brilliant job.

Germany
I worked in Germany for Peter Preller and Wolfgang Joop. Berlin is a cosmopolitan city – if you have been to other German cities but not Berlin, I encourage you to visit – you will discover it’s uniqueness, Berlin is nothing like the rest of Germany!

Hôtel de Rome, Berlin. Built in 1889 for the Dresden Bank headquarters which was closed down in 1989 when the wall fell. Gorgeous lobby and resturant and the rooftop terrace has birds eye views overlooking Berlin — Hôtel de Rome, Berlin. Built in 1889 for the Dresden Bank headquarters which was closed down in 1989 when the wall fell. Gorgeous lobby and restaurant and the rooftop terrace has a birds eye views overlooking Berlin.

Hamburg is a port city, with major cultural influences from the sailors from around the globe who have docked in this beautiful modern city.

Hamburg's new Fontenay Hotel. Brilliant design and a crossover between our Palm Bay Tower in Miami and Watergate Washington D.C. Don’t miss the rooftop bar and restaurants with views overlooking Hamburg’s Alster lake — Hamburg’s new Fontenay Hotel. Brilliant design and a crossover between our Palm Bay Tower in Miami and Watergate Washington D.C. Don’t miss the rooftop bar and restaurants with views overlooking Hamburg’s Alster Lake.

Holland
Great design, landscape, architecture and late summer light. Zee-land where my mom’s family is from! In Zeeland, my Mom’s family sailed from Holland to the Dutch Colony in the new world.

The Millen overlooking Rotterdam train station. Fabulous food and Dutch design overlooking the stellar train station. — *The Millen hotel overlooking Rotterdam train station. Fabulous food and Dutch design overlooking the stellar train station.*

Zomer's Flowers & Gifts in Rotterdam. One of Holland’s most famous flower shops for the most unique finds ever! — *Zomer’s Flowers & Gifts in Rotterdam. One of Holland’s most famous flower shops for the most unique finds ever!*

Italy
my Italian Grandfather immigrated to American via Ellis Island. For over 35 years, I have shopped for Fortuny fabrics and antiques in Venice. I timed my 2018 European Grand Tour for the Venice 16th International Architecture Biennale and visited Valcucine in Pordenone. This year Biennale’s nations didn’t represent modern trendy design, but ways to build improvements to the refugee crisis, flooding, overpopulation and giving back abandoned industrial land to the people.

Palazzo Fortuny, Venice. Famous at the turn of 1900 for his theater, set design, textiles, lighting. I’m honored that my clients have his gorgeous fabrics as my signature pillows, along with hand blown Venetian glass lamps, chandeliers and accessories! — Palazzo Fortuny, Venice. Famous at the turn of 1900 for his theater, set design, textiles, lighting. I’m honored that my clients have his gorgeous fabrics as my signature pillows, along with hand-blown Venetian glass lamps, chandeliers and accessories!

For design inspiration from New York to Florida and across the globe, plus more photos from my summer of 2018 European Grand Tour, follow me on Instagram: @kevingraydesign.