After a whirlwind trip through Morocco and a wedding in Comporta, I dropped my partner in crime off at the airport and had an open design day to myself in the coastal town of Cascais, Portugal, about 40 miles outside of Lisbon. Getting there was no small task – stick shifting in my rental around crazy roundabouts in a foreign country was an adventure.

The Hotel: Farol Hotel

I stayed at the Farol Hotel, decked out with its outdoor lounge areas, pools and gorgeous suites on the beach. There’s nothing like relaxing next to the ocean to stir up inspiration, and the Farol Hotel puts you face-to-face with it.

The Town: Cascais, Portugal

The former fishing village gained popularity in the 1800s when the royal family vacationing there as a resort destination. The combination of history, stunning beaches and culture made it an ideal spot to spend a day to dream and recharge.

I spent the daydreaming up new designs and was clearly inspired by the fishing boats, sea and Mary Oliver – and created this fish pattern. To download a version for yourself, click here.