Time to recharge
The beginning of the year is filled with fresh hopes and resolutions.
But I think most of us, as we pack away all the holiday ribbons and lights, long for a bit of a breather before embarking on exciting new goals. If you have the opportunity to take a week away from kids, shopping and responsibilities, then grab it and enjoy. If that’s not an option, I recommend some armchair travelling to warm climates where relaxation is the order of the day, every day.
The islands in the Caribbean are magical destinations that have produced the basics of a design style that is now a classic. The roots of Plantation Style – plantation blinds, gleaming mahogany furnishings and lattice details – stem from these areas rich in wood and bamboo, hot sun, sparkling water and glorious flora. The elements of this tropical style can be transferred easily to homes anywhere, and are sure to imbue a calm mood. A bedroom is the natural space to transform into your personal island retreat; after all, this is where dreams come alive.
I visited Jamaica with a group of friends recently and discovered firsthand how the sunny, nurturing environment refreshed and recharged us all. The bedrooms at Sundown Villa, www.
uniquevillasofjamaica.com, feature the quintessential mahogany four- poster beds and dressers. The simple palette of the purest white mixed with sea and sky blues helped to keep the room cool and inviting. I have borrowed the inviting elements of this style for bedrooms seen on my TV shows, and they are always a hit. Here are some tips for creating your own Caribbean style on a budget; dream about it now, and then when you are rested up, try out one or two of the ideas.
A mahogany four-poster bed can be an expensive proposition, but you can design and build your own using simply carved newel posts meant for a stair railing for the bed posts. We attached the newel posts to sturdy 4x4s with epoxy glue. Choose a red mahogany stain for the wood, and finish with a high-gloss varnish. Make up the bed with white linens, an antique-looking lace bedspread and soft-blue blanket. Transform an old dresser in two ways. Paint it white and add small island motifs such as tropical flowers or leaves, either freehand or with stencils, then finish with brass handles. Or, create your own mahogany antique dresser with stain to match the bed.
Large plank wood floors also can be stained dark, or paint them a pastel white shade and cover with a lightweight area rug. I always think about the textures of the materials on a bedroom floor, since this is the room for bare feet. I like a soft, warm landing when I touch down in the morning.
Window coverings should complement the style. Start with plantation shutters for an authentic look. If more insulation is required, here’s an opportunity to add Caribbean flair with a brightly colored fabric hung from a rod in front of the shutters. For warm nights choose an overhead fan with palm-frond blades.
Complete the look with paintings or posters of the beautiful flora and fauna of the islands, and your holiday has begun.
Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.