Here Comes Summer

For those of us with traditional homes, it's sometimes challenging to work out how to inject a bit of summer decorating into these classical spaces. The happy bright colors we see in design magazines somehow seem to be too much and surf boards and tiki huts just won't do.

I turn to another classic - British Colonial Style

​​Born in a time when the sun truly never set on the Empire, British colonial style evolved between the 17th and early 20th century, when British citizens went to live in Africa, India, Asia, and the Caribbean  They adapted their refined design style to the climate and available materials where they moved. 

Nowhere is this style more appealing than in the West Indies. Merging with styles brought by other European colonizers - France - Spain - Holland -West Indies Style is the perfect inspiration for sophisticated summer design.

Elements of The Style

Key to the style is the idea of expatriates adapting their familiar decor styles to their new surroundings and making use of local materials.
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Furniture
Classic mahogany pieces
Light upholstery
Campaign furniture - easily transported pieces
Rattan, bamboo and wicker

Fabrics
Solid white linen or cotton  
Indigenous fabrics - batiks, palampores  
Natural colored jute, sisal, or sea grass rugs 
oriental rugs

 

Artwork
Botanical Prints
Ornate Mirrors
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​Accessories
European colonials were a surprisingly cosmopolitan people. 
They were well traveled and liked to show off their treasures.
fine crystal
 fine china
silver items
Asian blue and white porcelain
 animal horn
tortoise shell
hurricane lamps
seashells
maps
telescopes
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Plants
 potted trees and exotic blooms
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Some easy ways to bring the style home
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​​Give your heavy formal drapes a a summer vacation.
Replace them with matchstick blinds. They're inexpensive and easy to install.  Try Home Depot or Lowes.

​While your there, pick up a potted palm or two.

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​Raid your basket stash and use them around the house in new ways.

​Fill them with your favorite shells 

Consider investing in summer slip covers.  I had white matlesse covers made for my living room pieces years ago.  I love that they go right in the washing machine and lend a calm cool air to the room. I love mine so much, I sometimes leave them on all year.

​Pick up some batik pillows

​Roll up the carpets.  Leave your hardwood floors bare, or put down some seagrass rugs.

​Add some new pieces to your blue and white collection. 

Pick up some orchids at the grocery store.

Use your silver in unexpected ways.

Pick up some bamboo pieces.

India Hicks
The reining queen of Island style

​Granddaughter of  Lord Mountbatten, last Viceroy of India and cousin to the British royal family, India has indeed lived a charmed life.    Model, author, entrepreneur and long time resident of Harbour Island in the Bahamas, India has created a lifestyle collection that is infused with her island vibe. 
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The collection includes bags, scarves, jewelry, candles, fragrances & more.
We are so excited to be hosting a trunk show of these wonderful items at FOUND.
So mark your calendars and stop by 
India Hicks Island Style Trunk Show
5/25 -5/28
Stop by Wednesday morning for light fare 
or 
get a head start on the weekend Friday night 5-7 with cocktails & nibbles 
We'll have the collection all week.

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Want to learn more about this style?
Pick up one of these new books in the shop