Pattern underfoot adds historical flair.

Glamorous and atmospheric, this Montreal kitchen by designer Luc Beauvais takes its inspiration from intimate French boîtes. Flat-front black cabinets recede, allowing the intricate tile floors to steal the show. The exotic tile pattern adds warmth to the sleek cabinets, masculine palette and industrial touches, such as nickel pendants.

See more bistro & restaurant-style kitchens in this gallery.

Bold cement tiles anchor this space with exotic pattern.

A cane occasional chair, tufted sofa and a frond floor lamp layer subtle texture into a sun-drenched sitting area.

Get more design and decorating ideas in our Katie Ridder photo gallery.

An acrylic waterfall table directs attention to the artwork.

A living room vignette provides a mix of textures and styles: wooden African sculptures and a hide-covered stool inject sub-Saharan flavour, while an acrylic console table lends a contemporary hit.

Two huge Moorish-style mirrors lend a Spanish flavour to this great room.

In the 2011 Princess Margaret Showhome, two leather camp chairs lend a Serengeti vibe. Custom throw pillows in a Navajo-inspired Ralph Lauren woven cloth hail from the other side of the globe, and add an earthy touch and rich pattern.

An African-inspired table brings subtle global style to this family room.

The carved-wood coffee table and eclectic pillows strike an exotic note in H&H senior design editor Sally Armstrong’s living room. The wallpaper, patterned floor and print pillows are a masterful mix.

Sophisticated fabric and artwork add to this room’s aesthetic.

In this globetrotting-styled space, an Asian-inspired console sits comfortably with a Moroccan style perforated-metal lantern and carved screen, and African-inspired artwork. A simple striped kilim is an easy way to bring global to your door.

Look for one-of-a-kind antique pieces.

Lit by handsome tall original sash windows, the spare bedroom is home to an early-1800s teak village bed that was shipped back from Rajasthan, India. En route, it lost its tiles and broke to bits. It was reassembled in London by a master joiner, and homeowner Alistair Green scoured the city to find the new tiles.

See more photos from this home.

Use cool colours and global accents to create an island vibe.

White walls and bedding, sun-bleached blonde hardwood, and accessories in seaside hues make this bedroom the perfect escape. “The cool feeling that the water artwork evokes is an easy way to add colour to the room without having to paint the walls out,” says HGTV designer Montana Burnett.

Find more inspiration in our photo gallery of Montana Burnett’s Favourite Spaces.

Exotic patterns mix in this small space.

An old apothecary cabinet in designer Karen Cole’s guest bedroom opens up in several ways, including a drop-leaf desk. Antique twin beds loaded up with brightly patterned throw pillows offer an inviting spot to curl up and read, but can be made up as guest beds within minutes. Bold art and antique rugs contribute to a space that’s as cosy and useful for Karen as it is for her guests.

Watch a video tour of Karen’s house, plus see more Gorgeous Guest Rooms and Double-Duty Offices.

Add exotic touches to amp up a neutral space.

A Moroccan stool topped with hammam towels are a wordly touch in this spa-like bathroom, and lend a sense of history. In a clean, contemporary setting, a woven basket and wooden brush inject personality.

Mix woods for a laid-back look.

Sometimes a simple addition of a parchment-hued map can bring a hint of global influence. The faded tones of this South American map are echoed by an unstained, reclaimed pine table which subs in ?as a vanity.

A bright main hallway with luxe touches.

“This foyer is an eclectic mix of styles and periods that reflects the aesthetic that I aspire to in my work,” says designer Melody Duron. A Chinese altar is topped with an exotic vignette and a convex Regency mirror flanked by sconces with an Indian feel.

See more Melody Duron interiors in our photo gallery.

Don’t be afraid to mix international finds.

Wooden masks preside over a Persian rug and pillowy dogbed in this upper hallway. Practical black-painted doors disguise scuffs and smudges.

See more global-style rooms in our photo gallery.