Designing with a taste of the Tropics

One of the biggest design trends right now is tropical island décor. This wonderful way of brightening a room with wicker, bamboo, and cane lends a romantic and dreamy feeling to a room that is becoming evermore popular. The reason for this is that it brings to mind sultry nights, exotic beaches, and even more exotic flowers.

Furnishing a room in such a theme brings us to feel like this is a place that one can truly relax and getaway from life’s everyday happenings. It reminds us that we need to take a break and reconnect with nature as well as with ourselves. The style of these furnishings also makes it ideal for any decorating style and taste, whether it be bold or conservative, traditional or contemporary. Because the furnishings are virtually maintenance free, they encourage laid-back living.

The designs came about when colonists settled in the Caribbean Islands. Furniture was far too expensive to import to the islands and so copies were quickly produced using the materials that were readily available. Things such as a four-poster bed were made using palm frond carved posts or pineapple finials. Bamboo, Mahogany, and Teak were the woods that were used to create this beautiful furniture. This furniture was also very practical and functional as canopies could be used to hold necessities such as mosquito netting.

That looked has been carried over by many manufacturer’s today but one manufacturer became extremely well known after the airing of the March 27^th, 2005 episode of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” This manufacturer was Padma’s Plantation. This company that is based in Chicago, creates unique furniture that emphasizes Latin style with contemporary and outdoor themes. The firm’s president and director of design stresses that the company is about making furniture that is whimsical and fun and that will speak to individual tastes.

The company uses natural materials such as abaca, sea grass, coconut palm leaves, rattan, and wild banana leaf. The company is also very big into textures which are woven into vibrant patterns.

To achieve a tropical look in your home, it’s best to use natural upholstery products such as canvas, duck, linen and twill. These are a great foundation against which bright colours can be used as accents. Bare wooden floors will also given any home or room that tropical feeling and grass or animal rugs will allow for that romantic look that is so desired from the tropical look. White stucco walls and a slow-turning ceiling fan will make one think they have been whisked away to the tropics and palm plants will also make for a great addition. To top of the look, consider hanging a piece of mosquito netting over the bed. This is a great addition to the tropical look and also up the romantic ante of the room as well.

• Rate this Post!

  Select Your Rating:

  • 5 Stars (Excellent!)
  • 4 Stars
  • 3 Stars
  • 2 Stars
  • 1 Stars (Poor)

• Share this Post

  Share With A Friend:

  Your Name Your Email

  Friend's Name Friend's Email

  Optional Message

  Send

• Print
• Social Bookmarking

  Add to Bookmarks: