Interview with Mary Baskin
Interior designer Mary Baskin founded The Vagabond International in 2007, inspired by her trip to Provence and its famed brocantes antiques markets. Over the last decade she has continuously brought small groups of design focused travelers to an ever growing list of destinations, from where it all began in Provence to the Souks of Marrakech. The ethos and backbone of the Vagabond experience is simple. Traveling and exploring new places should be fun, above all, without compromise.
I began traveling with Mary in 2017, and we became fast friends. She has shown me Provence, Marrakech, London and South Africa through her eyes. Her love of beauty, experiences and others is contagious. Join a trip with Mary (and me!) and see it all for yourself! I’m excited to interview her today.
Beach or mountains?
Beach but a cold beach like the west coast of Ireland
Secret Talent?
Singer!
Dogs or Cats?
Dogs
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
Favorite Jam?
Orange Marmalade
Guac or queso?
Mix them together!
Favorite taco topping/type of taco?
Regular beef (boring)
Dine in or take out?
Dine In
Early bird or night owl?
Early Bird
Tell me about your childhood bedroom
I loved my childhood bedroom. Every bedroom I ever had I loved moving the furniture around and picking the wallpaper. But my first- that I remember- had the cutest pink and white ticking wallpaper and an antique bed with a groovy antique quilt made by my grandmother and of course by barbie house and transistor radio.
If you could live in a hotel, which one would it be?
Roseleague Manor
I love this place I stay on the ocean in Ireland. It’s a real old school English Manor house, family owned.
What has been your favorite travel destination?
I love everywhere I go but my current favorite is Marrakech. Currently taking groups to Marrakech three times a year. It has such a unique culture, people really love it and they feel like they have been somewhere.
Where do you want to go that you haven’t been?
Excited to visit Beirut and India this year.
Were you artistic as a child?
Kind of, yes
What is your most treasured possession? Is there a story behind it?
I am not really attached to anything. Things come and go and there are always new things. I have a painting from a trip to England many years ago that I have managed to hold onto all this time, but really no possessions I deeply treasure. When I had 4 children at home so many things were broken, I adopted the mindset that I didn’t matter, it’s just a thing!
Why do you love to travel?
It started when I was a young girl. I would read National Geographic with my grandmother. I fell in love with EVERYWHERE. My father died when I was a young girl, my mother wanted to encourage me and she sent me between the 7th and 8th grade to Rome, Nice, Paris, Amsterdam and London…..with a foreign study group. At the age of thirteen I went off on a grand adventure all by myself. That trip forever changed me. I love to meet people from different countries and cultures- that to me is better than any possession you could ever own.
What is one thing that you do every day?
Drink wine!
Thank you, Mary! Be sure to follow along with Mary and her travels on her Instagram, HERE.
