How Jonathan Adler Brings the Feeling of Travel Into Everyday Spaces

Any time I get a compliment on my apartment, it really belongs to Jonathan Adler. I love interior design, but I find it completely overwhelming at the same time. And unless you have the budget of a Jenner or Hadid, doing it yourself can be a lot. But with just one Jonathan Adler piece, you can be transported to a different place—and even another time—through his glamorous, kitschy, and wanderlust-filled style.

His signature Vice jars, pillows, and furniture are a nod to his (and my) love of the campy glamour of the iconic Valley of the Dolls. There’s a good chance you’ve probably spotted at least one of his designs on every Real Housewife franchise, which, let’s be honest, is the modern-day equivalent of Valley of the Dolls just with fewer pills and more plastic surgery.

While much of high design leans toward minimalism—just endless beige—that word is not in Adler’s vocabulary. More is more—and sometimes better. So is kitsch, cheekiness, and fun.

Travel is also a cornerstone of his aesthetic, with odes to a slew of beautiful destinations, including Palm Beach, Miami, London, Paris, and St. Tropez, to name a few. He invokes a feeling of jet setting even when you’re sitting on your couch at home.

Mr. Adler, a New Jersey native who studied art history and semiotics at Brown University (which makes complete sense when you consider his designs), launched his career with ceramics and made a name for himself when he sold his line of pottery to Barney’s back in its heyday in the ‘90s. This led to a storefront in Soho, where he expanded into home design, and anyone who knew anyone quickly knew about Adler.

Today, Adler has several stores in New York City and London, a thriving wholesale and e-commerce business, multiple hotel collaborations—including The Eau Palm Beach (a personal favorite of mine), The Parker Palm Springs, and Pamlico Station Hotel—and a growing list of collaborations, like Ruggable (they just launched dog beds!) and H&M.

Adler’s latest collaboration is with TilePix, where Adler has reimagined his best-selling “Jet Set” collection in a limited-edition golden capsule. The sleek magnetic wall tiles, which could not be easier to hang, offer a fresh take on his signature travel-inspired designs. But get them now, as they are only available through Labor Day. “There’s not much in life that isn’t made better with the glitz of gold,” Adler says. In this collection, he proves it.

Food52 was lucky enough to chat with the incredible designer about his collaboration with TilePix, his approach to design, and his integration of the feeling of travel in his work, and a few tips for us decor novices.

Jonathan Adler on Inspiration & Travel

Your work has always been infused with a playful yet glamorous take on design. How does travel inspire your creative process and the pieces you bring to life?

Creativity is an elusive sprite who visits where and when she wants to. But I’ve been doing this for a long (long!) time and I have to say—that sprite especially likes to visit when I’m traveling. I always keep my eyes and ears wide open.

Are there particular destinations—beaches, cities, or cultural experiences—that have left the biggest imprint on your work and continue to influence your collections?

Palm Beach—from the yellow of the sun, the white of the clouds, the blue of the water. It's like nowhere else on earth. It’s old Hollywood hedonism mixed with the best mid-century architecture and design anywhere in the world.

New York City—it’s where I met my shorter half, Simon Doonan, and where I built my business. There’s inspiration around every corner.

Can you share how travel destinations inspired this new TilePix collab?

I didn’t want this to be a collection of souvenirs. Like, “Ohh, I just came back from spring break in Miami, I should get this Miami art.” Each destination in the collection conjures a spirit and evokes a feeling. You don’t have to have had a clothing-optional weekend at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur to be the type of person who would have a clothing-optional weekend at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur.

Design Philosophy: More is More and a Bit of Gold

You’ve said, “There’s not much in life that isn’t made better with the glitz of gold.” What is it about metallics that instantly elevates a space?

Gold is twinkly and instantly says “glamour.” It’s warm and inviting, and this is the opposite of boring beige décor, while being usable. Afraid to mix metals? Don’t be.

The only rule when it comes to decorating is that there are no rules. Oh, and put all your lights on dimmers.

If you could describe the mood or vibe this collection creates in one word, what would it be?

Groovy.

How do you translate the essence of a place into a piece of furniture, a room, or even a wall decor collection?

Designing a hotel (I loved the Eau Palm Beach rooms!) is very different from designing a private residence. How do you balance creating a space that feels chic and glamorous, but also welcoming and lived-in for travelers from all over the world?

Tips for the Everyday Decorator

For those who can’t hop on a plane every month, what tips do you have for bringing travel-inspired style into their homes?

Controversial take: Travel isn’t always about traveling, but can be a state of mind. When you’re traveling, you can feel adventurous, optimistic, glamorous, or relaxed. There’s no reason you can’t create a chic, comfortable, bold environment at home—all without a connecting flight in Fort Worth.

What are a few easy, practical hacks readers can use to instantly make their spaces feel more glamorous or adventurous without a complete overhaul?

Add something unexpected—we have a papier mâché bust of Prince we found at a yard sale for $5 that gets guests talking and would make Jeff Koons jealous. Your home should reflect the most eccentric, glamorous version of yourself.

Gallery Walls & Glamour Hacks

Gallery walls are having a big moment—what’s your advice for curating one that feels bold, elevated, and uniquely personal?

I think the answer is in the question—choose pieces that speak to you. Don’t worry about if it “goes” together: if you love it, it will work. (And if you don’t love it, change it—it couldn’t be easier with TilePix’s peel and stick technology).