The Tropics: Weather Reflecting Our Indoor Lifestyles Too!

[wisgrdnr]

Hi All @ TWG:

Slow posting time, looks like. Must be a busy time with family activities, or maybe we've fallen into lady-hum "valley!"

I hope the latter isn't the case (although I'm NOT going to "panic!")

This slowdown of posted comments does, however, allow my the opportunity to post some photographs that COULD bring forth some ideas for your own homes.

Let them speak for themselves fellow TWG Forum members & guests!

Enjoy the photos of this home's interior, where the accent is on "high volume" colour!

Pablo


The garden is/was the inspiration for my incorporation of colour in & out!


A trip to Mexico is right at hand in the wine storage area.


The formal living room is so much cooler with a predominance of refreshing shades of aqua/orchid/light pinks/plum!


The crispness of white stained poplar furniture, again, cools a hot summer day!


We carry the aqua/hoy pink/coral/mauve/turquoise into the guest bath. It is as perfect for Florida's homes, as it is for Arizona homes! These are the colours of vivid sunrises & sunsets!


Guests enjoy the soothing colours of their bedroom also (especially if they are visiting from cooler climes!)


A buffet table is soft yet contains strong design elements that grab attention.


A "playful" juxtaposition of tropical birds, cacti, and even Fall's foliage. All hot colours that blend well together surprisingly well!


An adjoining "family room" (divided by a half wall from the chef's centre) continues the themes of cacti, blue, and burnt orange. It works well!


A blue translucent wood stain really adds a relaxing note to media centre. This is very important as the piece is large and could have easily over-dominated this room! Instead, it compliments other design pieces.


Colour, colour, and more colour...pour it in! Bring drama within your homes, even in cooler climates.


Again, cacti, primary colours, and tropical birds make this over cabinet display in the kitchen really "pop!"


An ordinary & boring corner draws your attention, again, through a bold palette of primary colours!

Hope that you got some ideas from this photo tour of my own home's interior.

It is a refuge that is lively and welcoming...whatever the weather outside; it is always a favourite with dinner guests and those that stay over.

I think that they sometimes like it too much!
_________________
www.palmdoctor.com & www.tropicriverwoods.com

[LimeInTheCoconut]

Outdoor view of a Magilla Perilla gone wild in a pot next to a chair on my front porch. I put three of these plants in one pot and it grew bigger than the chair it was supposed to compliment.


_________________
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it." ...Mark Twain

[wisgrdnr]

As "Lime" has showed us in the submitted photograph, from late spring through fall (Indian Summer) a tropic look can be achieved through usage of bold leaf colour and/or size (texture); some rattan accesories; bold, tropic fabrics; tiki torches, a water feature with night lighting, and some "island" instrumental CDs and tropical rum drinks!


The tropics are not only a warm climate zone, but they are equally a lifestyle ideology. Clothing, food & drink; furnture fabrics; music, and tropical plants used as annuals, are all a part of this eye-popping, pulse-racing "gumbo!"


Pablo
_________________
www.palmdoctor.com & www.tropicriverwoods.com

[barb]

Hey, Paul, a wonderful idea...we all bring the outdoors in to some degree.
Very much enjoyed seeing the vivid colors everywhere.
You neglected to mention one thing how much fun it is to create and change out these accents from time to time, or even moving things from room to room.

I'm a perennial furniture mover, but let's face it, after 30 years, all the good arrangements have already been used. I'm in my "furniture in the stupid place" mode now.
No pics of mine to share yet.
Thank you, Paul, for this tour of your lovely home.
Both elegant and comfortable, a very nice combination.

Susan, how very lovely. What a hoot it grew larger than the chair!
Stunning. Cute palm pillow too!
Barb

[LimeInTheCoconut]

Paul - I like your use of color throughout and it certainly says tropics and FL. My favorite rooms are the family room and dining room. I also agree with you that is an interesting and subduded stain you selected for the media center. Not one I've seen before.
_________________
"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying that I approved of it." ...Mark Twain

[wisgrdnr]

Thanks Barb & Sue for the props; I appreciate that very much.

I got much inspiration from the white-washed only adobe walls I had seen in New Mexico & Arizona homes.

Colours useed in these SW Hispanic dwellings used bold coloured masks; "folk art" cloth where either tapestries or ceremonial clothing pieces themselves, were hung on the walls.

Serapes were everywhere and of course, are highly colourful.

I think the step I took, that perhaps is somewhat unique, was to scan the isles in the supermarkets, anywhere I travelled, and look for cans, boxes & bottles (i.e. pepper sauces and canned veggies, fruits and even flour mixes) that were quintessential Hispanic.

I like to find packaging with parrots and toucans on them (and they ARE everywhere!) and the product wording in Spanish also. It was so easy to create a "fiesta atmosphere" especially in the kitchen.

I the other rooms of the house, a Mexican "mood" can be achieved by again, sticking with the white-wash background, and utilising accesories that are the colours of this board (no coincidence!) along with purples & bright pinks!

It's hard to feel even a measure of depression of even the grayest day, when these uplifting "sunrise/sunset" colours are all around you.

I have been working with this colour palette for years, and it definitely hasn't failed me yet!

Luego!

Pablo
_________________
www.palmdoctor.com & www.tropicriverwoods.com

[mac]

Wow Paul!!!-you have a talent for this. Years ago my wife spent considerable time in developing "themes" for rooms and buying all sorts of stuff to achieve the look she wanted.BUT I got irritated when she decided to change things because she was getting bored with the look of various rooms-which means getting rid of lots of stuff in garage sales and buying more stuff.Lately she has redirected her attention to her college work (she works full time at FSU as I do and also is taking online courses). Do you keep your themes or do you periodically change them? Your place looks so neat-I hope my wife doesn't see this thread -or she will start getting decorating ideas again

[wisgrdnr]

Thanks Mac, For the kind words. I have an uncanny aptitude for placing colours & textures together since age 7.

It is a labour of love (as long as there's $$$ available, of course!)

I'm greatly influenced by three "strong & distinct" themes: colours of a desert sunset; art deco colours of South Florida; and finally my love for the bright colours of autumn.

The blend is what I do best. Very few changes (to my rooms) need revision, as I never tire of their soothing qualities!

Thanks, again, Mac! (We'll keep your wife away from me vhandiwork, I promise!)

Cheers!

Paul
_________________
www.palmdoctor.com & www.tropicriverwoods.com

[quinnwarren]

That was up to the fullest outdoor vacation trip. Colorful captures.

I like the way you made the color matching, it somehow balance the function and uses of the space.

Keep up the good work Paul.
_________________
School Of Interior Design