Green & White

Brunschwig & Fils

This room's wallpaper and fabrics are from Brunschwig & Fils' Majorelle Collection—a lush homage to the iconic gardens of Marrakech once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Rich botanicals, vibrant hues, and intricate patterning bring the romance of faraway places home.

Outdoor Christmas Decorating in Florida

Amanda Lindroth

 

I am almost finished decorating CCC for Christmas inside and now my thoughts are turning to outside. I always struggle for exterior inspiration, because in the heat here, fresh wreaths and garlands simply do not last. Even the beautiful wreaths pictured above made of palm fronds would start drying and yellowing immediately. Faux traditional wreaths and garlands would work, but don't seem very tropical.

Tropical Chinoiserie

Amanda Lindroth

Since moving to South Florida, my favorite interior design style has definitely become chinoiserie that has a beachy, tropical, coastal, island vibe. Nobody does this better than Amanda Lindroth.

Setting the Tropical Table

Mercedes Salazar Monkey Candle Holders

 

I am always on the lookout for fabulous pieces for setting my table with tropical, island, Palm Beach style. These incredible raffia monkey candle holders certainly fit the bill. These are woven in Iraca Palm by Caribbean coast Colombian craftsmen.

A Florida Christmas

One Kings Lane

 

How's this for very chic styling of this fireplace with Florida flair? I love the pair of alligators. Many people assume that alligators are found all over the world.

Pineapples

Lulu de Kwiatkowski - Veranda Magazine

 

The entrance at textile designer Lulu DK's Bahamian home really embraces pineapples. I always associated pineapples with Colonial Williamsburg decor, and didn't realize until more recently how much they are used in tropical, beachy, island decor.

Wicker Tabletop Palm Trees High/Low

Kim Seybert

I love these wicker tabletop palm trees by Kim Seybert for a stunning tropical table setting. I have two and love mine. Here is more inspiration.

Resort Style

Luna Caftan

 

Even before I moved to Florida, I loved the resort collections that come out this time of year, filled with happy colors and exuberant prints. Now that I live at the beach, this has become my look 24/7.

Creating Tropical Style

Amanda Lindroth

 

I love the view into the outdoor space filled with potted tropical plants and her signature rattan and bamboo lanterns. Whether you have a balcony, patio, lanai, or porch, this is such a great way to bring beachy island style to your home.

I Need a Pool Boy

Meg Braff

 

This is so fun - banana leaf wallpaper in the vestibule and bathroom. Interestingly enough, this is in a historic 1901 home in Maine and not in Florida. This Tropical Palm Beach Chinoiserie look has become so popular no matter where you live. I have seen it in Manhattan apartments and country cottages. So let your freak flag fly - decorate your home with whatever makes you happy wherever you live. My daughter and her fiancé have put a tiki bar inside their Georgian Colonial in Annapolis, Maryland.

Seashell Jewelry

White Calypso Necklace

 

I must admit I have bit of "a thing" for seashells. I reined in my love of seashells in DC, but now that I live at the beach, I am really enjoying adding seashells to my home decor and wardrobe. I especially like seashell jewelry paired with caftans and summer dresses. 

The Seashell Mirror & Chinoiserie

Mark D. Sikes

 I love the combination of a beautiful seashell mirror and chinoiserie, whether blue and white Chinese porcelain, celadon, chinoiserie wallpaper, rattan, or faux bamboo. Vintage seashell mirrors are wonderful, but can be very expensive. I previously posted on one at 1stDibs that was over $22,000.

Styling the Summer House

Serena & Lily

If I could chose only one source to decorate an entire house, it would be Serena & Lily. I love their fresh, modern, light and bright, California coastal cool approach to decorating. The look is timeless and the quality is excellent. I've put together some favorite looks from Serena & Lily for inspiration.

Pineapple Love

Farm Rio Pineapple Garden Maxi Dress

I love pineapple decor and have lots of pineapples in my home. I have found some great ways to add pineapples to your wardrobe as well. This dress above is quite Chinoiserie Chic with its beautiful blue and white print with pineapples.

Tropical Red and Green

Amanda Lindroth

 

Such an interesting space by Amanda Lindroth in this Palm Beach home. Red and green are not normally colors I associate with tropical decor (a rare exception being Alessandra Branca who uses her signature red in their Bahamian retreat).

Chinoiserie Style

Samantha Todhunter Design

I had the most wonderful week here in my little paradise and I am looking forward to kicking back this weekend. I hope you are too. Yesterday my gorgeous gold bamboo flatware arrived. Remember when I said it was 46 pieces? My lovely eBay seller had 8 additional teaspoons that she included as a little gift. Today they all get a little bath and polish.

The Blue & White Chinoiserie Chic Dress

Ancient Garden Midi Dress

I recently discovered Brazilian FARM Rio and have become a huge fan. Farm Rio’s cheerful creations are crafted with an exotic, toes-in-the-sand spirit that’s simultaneously fashion-forward and vintage-inspired. Their style captures the chinoiserie beachy vibe I love. These dresses are all real statement pieces, but relaxed and easy to wear.

A Chinoiserie Vignette

via Chinoiserie Chic

This is such a pretty vignette - a gorgeous pair of shell mirrors, blue and white Chinese porcelain, a blush pink velvet tufted sofa, orchids, and the centerpiece - a giant faux clamshell filled with tropical fruit. BTW, lemons, limes, and oranges can be kept at room temperature for about a week, but pineapples just 2 or 3 days.

Decorating with Palm Fronds - Real & Faux

Bunny Williams

I really think that the combination of palm fronds and chinoiserie is a marriage made in heaven. I am so fortunate to have more than a dozen palm trees and massive philodendrons in my garden for cutting. They are gorgeous and I am saving a fortune not buying flowers every week at Trader Joe's. For those who don't live in a topical venue, I have some great faux picks. (Or move down here, and we can all chinoiserie shop together). Here is some stunning inspiration.

Chinoiserie Earrings

CCC

After posting pictures of my closet, several followers asked about my earring collection. I wear a pair of statement earrings every day - a caftan/maxi dress, a pair of dramatic earrings, and a great pair of sandals and I am good to go. (Underwear is optional in the tropics - LOL).

CCC