Palm trees and sea shells create a tropical feeling.
When you think of tropical plantations, you probably think of sugar cane, pineapples, wide vistas and lush vegetation with a turquoise sea in the distance. Vibrantly colored flowers spill over planters or climb up the terrace. Gentle South Sea breezes sway palm trees back and forth. The veranda opens into the living room, making it difficult to see where the garden ends and the interior begins. Recreate that feeling in your living room by decorating in a tropical plantation style.
Instructions
1. Treat the windows with sheer curtains that let in air and light instead of heavy draperies. Plantation wood shutters are another good choice. Let the room be drenched in sunlight. Bamboo shades are an option if privacy is required. If you feel you must used curtains, lightweight cotton ones in white and off-white carry a plantation feeling.
2. Tile the floor and use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Light colored ceramic or stone tiles would work in this decorating theme. Wood floors are a natural, in more ways than one, for a tropical plantation. Many of the exotic woods used in flooring come from the tropics.
3. Attach ceiling fans to create a breeze and maintain some coolness without having to resort to air conditioning. The fans might billow the curtains a bit, which adds to the tropical feeling.
4. Group tall plants strategically around the room. A cluster of plants looks more dramatic than single plants placed hither and yon. Backlight the plants with a spotlight for added evening drama. Use terracotta pots or a single color for all the pots for a cohesive look. The pots don't all have to match in style, but they should match in color.
5. Splash bright colors, such as hibiscus red, orchid purple and bird of paradise orange around the room using toss pillows and accessories. Mix in lots of white and green. White or off-white slipcovers for the furniture adds to the tropics theme and are easy to keep clean. Accent the white with brightly printed fabrics in floral or exotic bird prints.
6. Place sturdy bamboo or rattan chairs and sofas to capture a view of the garden.
7. Frame a focal point in the room to draw attention. Every room should have a focal point. A fireplace or a tropical view is a commanding . Frame it with plants or bookcases. If you don't have a natural focal point and the room doesn't have any interesting architectural details, create one a focal point with sea shells, primitive Polynesian artwork or an unusual mirror.
Tags: focal point, , focal point room, living room, point room, tropical feeling