Window or Aisle?
A window into how interesting people travel—their rituals, discoveries, pet hates and occasional wrong turns.
Carla Benedetti
Wicklow-based designer Carla Benedetti is a passionate creative with an individual approach rooted in interiors, design, style and visual communications. Shaped by a lifelong connection to art and making, she draws on her diverse experience to move instinctively between disciplines, crafting thoughtful and visually compelling work.
Her interiors and renovation projects have appeared in publications including The Sunday Times, The Irish Times and Image Interiors, and she was a finalist on RTÉ’s Home of the Year. Carla is also the founder and curator of The Quiet Edit, a considered collection of furniture, art, lighting and distinctive objects, with a particular emphasis on smaller makers and pieces chosen for their character and craftsmanship.
Window or aisle?
Window. I can hide away a little, as flying makes me anxious, and I also prefer the view.
Are you more likely to arrive at the airport three hours before your flight, or to be rushing to the gate?
Somewhere in between. I hate waiting around, but I’d also hate to find myself rushing for a flight.
What matters most to you when choosing a flight?
Probably the flight time. I can’t stand early morning flights, especially when you factor in having to be at the airport two hours beforehand and the journey time to get there.
Do you unpack properly at your hotel or live out of your suitcase?
I live out of my suitcase, but I’ll hang up whatever needs to be hung.
What is the first thing you do when arriving in a new city?
I love to get my bearings and walk around, spotting cool design stores and unique boutiques that I can make a note of and come back to.
Are you able to work effectively while travelling, or do you prefer to use the journey as time to switch off?
I do a bit of both, and because I’m self-employed, I often don’t have much choice. I’ll definitely use the time to do research on my phone or keep on top of a project if I need to.
What do you do to remain rested, healthy or clear-headed when away from home?
I try to switch off and just enjoy the holiday. I love going away with friends and just completely chilling out and having a good laugh. That’s really cathartic for me.
Has a destination ever failed to live up to your expectations—and what did the experience teach you?
Probably the Bahamas. I was so excited to go, but apart from the beautiful weather and sea, I felt we could have been anywhere. I was disappointed in myself that I didn’t travel around the island more, as I feel there was a lot more culture to be seen outside the hotel complex where we stayed.
I was also really taken aback by the amount of waste and uncomfortable with the cost of everything. There seemed to be such a huge divide between rich and poor, and I found that difficult throughout our stay.
What is the most memorable hotel you have stayed in, and what made it stand out?
I love choosing boutique or design hotels, and if it’s a city break, I’ll always try to do my research in advance. Hôtel Providence in Paris was fantastic for its beautiful décor and was totally my vibe.
Which matters more after a long journey: a beautiful room or a brilliantly comfortable bed?
Totally a beautiful room. The bed has never really bothered me.
Has a particular destination ever influenced your own work?
Yes, New York City. I adore the vibe, the coolness of the people, the nonchalant way they go about their day, the confidence to be themselves, the design, the stores, the weather, the buildings, the parks—basically every single thing about it.
Is there one common hotel-room design decision that drives you mad?
Not having enough room on either side of the bed is painful. I also feel cheated by small, expensive hotel rooms—and stale air-conditioning drives me mad!