Take it to the limit

As the name suggests, maximalism is the complete antithesis to minimalism. Forget all-white rooms and clean lines, maximalism embraces the daring use of colours, patterns and layering to create an interior look that will be endlessly versatile.

Key ways to take it to the max are to feature the wildest wallcoverings, coolest colours and the most fantastic furniture. Add some deliciously wacky ornaments and sumptuous, soft furnishings and you’ll almost be there. It’s all about a vibe that pays homage to excess, so don’t hold back.

Maximalism is all about luxury too, so make investment buys rather than trying to achieve this look on the cheap and if you can’t afford everything new, mix in flea market and auction finds. This is the perfect interiors story for those who love scouring antique stores and shopping for rugs in the souks of Marrakech. But also remember, you’re not living in a museum. For this aesthetic to work, you need to ensure you understand there’s a fine line between great design and clutter.

By Janet Reeder

Mykonos, Greece

Once famous for its parties and 24-hour lifestyle, Mykonos is now all grown up. The island is a glamorous spot, with superyachts and high-end boutiques in easy reach wherever you go, though its hedonistic personality still shows through at its many cabana-filled beach clubs, where international DJs line up to play.

One of the newest places to soak up the early summer breeze is Zuma Mykonos. The much-loved Japanese restaurant opened its first day-to-night destination last year. There’s a sleek infinity pool and floating pool beds as well as a restaurant serving Zuma’s signature izakaya menu. Just next door is Cavo Tagoo, one of the island’s first-established luxury hotels and still one of the best. For a more intimate place to rest your head, opt for the romantic Bill&Coo Suites and Lounge, not far from Mykonos Town, or their Bill&Coo Villas for even more seclusion and privacy.

Istanbul, Turkey

Unlike any other city, with one half on the European continent and the other in Asia, a visit to Istanbul promises a multicultural experience like no other.

Whilst chic neighbourhoods like Kadikoy and Arnavutköy are increasingly on the radar, there is no better place to stay than in the heart of the old city when trying to avoid the crowds in the early summer months.

With views over the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at Sultanahmet is a must-visit. The hotel is a portal to the city’s history, having been a prison at the turn of the 20th century, and, after a beautiful redesign last year, is firmly one of the best places to stay in the city. Enjoy the sunset on the hotel’s rooftop terrace before jumping onto its river shuttle to take in the city views the best way possible – straight from the Bosphorus River.

Madrid, Spain

The capital of Spain is contending now with the likes of Barcelona and Seville for sunny city breaks, thanks in part to the arrival of a few trusty hotels, including The Edition, Mandarin Oriental and Four Seasons.

There’s no better time than the present to book a trip. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death and his masterpieces line the walls of the Reina Sofia art museum. There will be plenty of special exhibitions in Madrid to mark the occasion, including The Padro Museum, which intersperses works by Picasso with paintings by El Greco, one of the artists that influenced him the most, and La Casa Encendida which showcases a review of the final decade of the artist’s work.

Stay at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, a work of art in itself, and the perfect extension to an art-filled escape. Sumptuous rooms and suites lay within the seven historical buildings that make up the hotel, which houses over 1,500 pieces of art throughout its corridors and lounges.