Stefan Hess

Contributing Editor

Stefan Hess serves as a Contributing Editor for Stylish Today, where he guides readers through the worlds of interior design, architecture, and luxury travel. Writing for the House & Haven and Taste & Travel sections, he explores how the principles of style shape our environments and our journeys. Stefan's features focus on craftsmanship, materiality, and the visionary artisans who define contemporary elegance. Through his thoughtful storytelling, he helps readers discover beautiful spaces and destinations where design is a way of life.

Expertise

Interior DesignArchitectureLuxury TravelCraftsmanship & Materiality

Coverage Areas

House & Haven
Taste & Travel

Latest Articles

A bright and airy living room with abundant plants, natural wood, and a large window view of a green landscape, embodying biophilic design principles.
House & Haven

What are biophilic design principles for serene homes?

Urban living is associated with poorer physical and mental health and stress compared to living in and around green spaces, a stark reality biophilic design seeks to reverse.

Jul 19, 2026 · 4 min read

A stylish traveler exploring a charming, colorful European city square, embodying the spirit of discovery in an underrated destination.
Taste & Travel

Top 7 Underrated European Cities for Your Stylish 2026 Getaway

For the price of a single cocktail in Paris, an independent traveler can cover their entire daily budget for accommodation, food, and transport in Albania, one of Europe's emerging stylish destination

Jul 9, 2026 · 4 min read

A futuristic living room showcasing seamlessly integrated smart home technology, with fabric-covered speakers blending into the elegant interior design.
House & Haven

Smart home tech integration will redefine interior design by 2026.

At ISE 2026, smart speaker brands like Basalte offer over 90 customizable fabric options, transforming utilitarian tech into high-end interior design statements, according to Homes and Gardens .

Jul 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A serene and timeless living room interior featuring durable, high-quality furniture and decor, bathed in natural light, emphasizing lasting style.
House & Haven

Why Homeowners Are Choosing Lasting Decor Over Fleeting Trends

Brands such as Naturalmat now offer a 'Mattress for Life' initiative, allowing customers to refurbish or recycle their mattresses, signaling a profound shift in how we define sustainable home decor.

Jul 5, 2026 · 5 min read

A solitary armchair in a peaceful, sunlit landscape, symbolizing the luxury of quietude and deep travel experiences.
Taste & Travel

Slow Tourism Is The New Luxury: Travelers Seek Deeper Experiences

In 2026, 57% of U.S. travelers expressed interest in attending a silent retreat. This figure marks a profound shift in what defines a luxury getaway. This desire for intentional quietude, now termed '

Jul 4, 2026 · 3 min read

A traveler smiling while packing a minimalist suitcase using the 54321 method, ready for an adventure.
Taste & Travel

How to Curate a Versatile Travel Wardrobe Using the 54321 Method

Imagine packing for a month-long adventure with just 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 dresses or layers, and 1 of each accessory.

Jul 3, 2026 · 3 min read

A traveler confidently walking through an airport with a single, well-organized carry-on bag, embodying the ease of light packing.
Taste & Travel

How to Pack Light: Smart Organization Tips for Travel

For your next trip, challenge yourself to make your entire packing fit into just one carry-on bag.

Jun 22, 2026 · 3 min read

A tranquil Japandi living room featuring minimalist furniture, natural wood accents, and soft, diffused natural light, embodying serene living.
House & Haven

What Are Japandi Design Principles for Serene Living?

In a world overflowing with fast furniture and fleeting trends, a single design philosophy proves that true domestic tranquility is found not in what you add, but in what you carefully choose to keep.

Jun 17, 2026 · 4 min read

The Dunhill Alfred bag from the Heritage in Motion collection, highlighting its detailed construction and fine leather.
House & Haven

Dunhill Unveils Heritage in Motion Leather Goods Series

The Alfred bag, a centerpiece of Dunhill's new 'Heritage in Motion' collection, is meticulously constructed from over 120 individual components.

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Interior of a luxurious European boutique hotel room showcasing a blend of historic architecture and modern, unique design elements.
Taste & Travel

Stylish European Boutique Hotels With Unique Designs

In Nice, France, a 17th-century convent reopened in June 2024, transformed into a luxury boutique hotel after a $100 million renovation.

Jun 9, 2026 · 5 min read

A traveler neatly packing a carry-on suitcase with a versatile wardrobe, ready for an effortless trip.
Taste & Travel

How to Curate a Versatile Travel Wardrobe for Effortless Trips

The 54321 packing method, a strategic framework for efficient travel, advocates for a precise selection: five tops, four bottoms, three pairs of shoes, two layers, and a single accessory of each type.

Jun 8, 2026 · 5 min read

A sunlit living room with abundant plants, natural wood, and a garden view, embodying biophilic design principles for a harmonious home.
House & Haven

What Are Biophilic Design Principles for Harmonious Living Spaces?

A 2024 systematic review published by the Global Wellness Institute revealed that hospitals incorporating biophilic design principles saw reduced patient mortality, shorter hospitalization times, and

Jun 7, 2026 · 5 min read

US House of Representatives chamber during a vote, illustrating the defeat of the BOOTS Act and the rejection of a domestic boot mandate for military personnel.
House & Haven

House lawmakers fail to pass BOOTS Act, blocking domestic boot mandate

Shoe manufacturer New Balance once projected the Better Outfitting Our Troops (BOOTS) Act could boost its annual sales by 250,000 sneakers.

Jun 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A bright and airy Scandinavian living room with minimalist furniture, emphasizing natural light and functional design elements for a cozy atmosphere.
House & Haven

What are Scandinavian design principles for a minimalist functional home?

In a region where winter days offer just a few hours of sunlight, Scandinavian designers developed an aesthetic where every element—from wall color to textile—amplifies light and warmth.

Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read

A serene landscape with sustainable infrastructure like solar panels seamlessly integrated into a village, surrounded by vibrant forests and clear waters, symbolizing ethical travel.
Taste & Travel

Ethical travel and sustainable tourism practices for the future

By 2030, the sustainable tourism market is projected to reach an astounding $7369.

Jun 5, 2026 · 4 min read

A traveler finds peace and cultural connection by a lake, reading a book near a quaint village during golden hour.
Taste & Travel

Future of travel: Redefined slow trips, deeper cultural connection.

Despite the common image of frantic, attraction-hopping vacations, a surprising 91% of travelers are now expressing interest in 'slower, simpler trips' focused on rest, reading, and nature for 2026, a

Jun 3, 2026 · 4 min read

A sunlit, modern living room showcasing stylish furniture crafted from sustainable materials like reclaimed wood and recycled textiles.
House & Haven

How to Make Sustainable Design Choices for Your Home Decor

A simple plywood chair maintains structural integrity with significantly less material than its plastic counterparts.

Jun 3, 2026 · 3 min read

Couple enjoying a luxurious sunrise breakfast on a private balcony overlooking the majestic Andes mountains in Peru.
Taste & Travel

Luxury Travel From South America Soared 117% This Past Year

Peru's luxury travel sector surged an astonishing 192% last year, far outpacing established luxury destinations and signaling a significant shift in high-end tourism preferences.

May 29, 2026 · 5 min read

A stylish and functional living room featuring a mix of vintage and modern decor, creating a warm, layered, and lived-in atmosphere.
House & Haven

How to Curate a Stylish, Functional Home: A Complete Guide

Forget the sterile showroom look: the secret to a truly stylish and harmonious home is to deliberately mix vintage, curated, and personal possessions, creating a layered, lived-in feel.

May 19, 2026 · 8 min read