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

Serene, minimalist restaurant interior with natural wood and stone, featuring a beautifully presented kaiseki dish, evoking tranquility and cultural immersion for discerning travelers.
Taste & Travel

Top 8 Best Stylish Restaurants for Travelers in 2026

In a hidden alley in Kyoto, a Michelin-starred restaurant serves traditional kaiseki in a minimalist setting so serene, guests often whisper rather than speak, making the meal an almost meditative exp

Aug 23, 2026 · 6 min read

A modern living room interior filled with plants, natural light, and wooden elements, promoting a sense of calm and connection to nature.
House & Haven

What Are Biophilic Design Principles for Home Interiors?

Simply being in the presence of natural elements, such as houseplants, actively engages the body's relaxation response.

Aug 20, 2026 · 4 min read

A minimalist Japandi living room with natural light, clean lines, wooden furniture, and a few plants, creating a serene and elegant atmosphere.
House & Haven

What Are Japandi Design Principles and Why Do They Matter?

Imagine a home where every object serves a purpose and contributes to a deep sense of calm, a stark contrast to the typical overflowing modern dwelling.

Aug 16, 2026 · 5 min read

A luxurious eco-friendly yacht glides through pristine turquoise waters near a verdant coastline, symbolizing sustainable luxury travel.
Taste & Travel

The Rise of Sustainable Luxury Travel Trends in 2026

Despite increasing scrutiny over its carbon footprint, demand for luxury yacht, train, and cruise options has surged, driven by travelers seeking deeply personalized journeys.

Aug 12, 2026 · 3 min read

A person enjoying a peaceful, tech-free moment on a balcony overlooking a stunning natural landscape, embodying a luxury digital detox.
Taste & Travel

Luxury travelers seek tech-free getaways, with searches up 17%

Sixty-two percent of polled adults confess they 'hate' their phone usage, a pervasive sentiment driving a surge in luxury travel bookings for properties designed to facilitate unplugging.

Aug 10, 2026 · 3 min read

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