Determined to Showcase the Elegance of Tropical Palm Motifs: A Rebuttal to Our Interior Designer's Opposition
In the 80s, thinking of tropical decor immediately conjures up tiki bars with their sticky cocktails, scratchy seating, and odd wall-to-wall carpeting. And yes, those tacky thatched bars with taxidermy wildlife? All the regret. But modern pop culture sensations like The White Lotus - where the third season unfolds in the lush tropical resorts of Thailand - are breathing fresh life into island-inspired design for the home.
Sure, not everyone is sold. Our resident interiors editor, Emma Breislin, mocked: "Palm print is souvenir shop territory to me, and tacky tropical motifs try too hard. They're overused, garish, and often look tacky in a home..." Challenge accepted, Emma!
First things first: swap those tiki torches for good! The old-school tropics are out; we're aiming for cultivated elegance. "Earthy, textured materials like rattan, bamboo, linen, and reclaimed wood create a grounded, authentic feel," says interior designer Nina Lichtenstein. "Handwoven textiles and stone accents add layers of depth," she adds. So, think The White Lotus (the constant reference), but with the help of their recent CB2 collaboration - layered, opulent, and breezy.
"The tropical aesthetic of yesteryears was vibrant and over-the-top," Nina continues. "Today, we're all about organic luxury. The aim is to channel the tranquility of a posh island retreat, not a beachside souvenir shop." That means lacquering on nature-inspired hues and incorporating objects inspired by the island lifestyle without sliding into tropes - think sculptural driftwood, oversized ceramic vessels, shell inlays, and breezy sheer curtains that catch the light.
Longing for an escapade but stuck at home? "Island-core," inspired by the world's most desirable vacations - the Amalfi Coast, the Hawaiian Islands, a hidden Bali retreat - offers a transportive antidote to the everyday blues. If your space needs a little escapism, this breezy-meets-bold aesthetic could be your ticket.
Here are six masterstrokes to help you channel your inner tropics:
Ready to Escape?
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Price: $44.95
If palm leaves seem predictable, consider heliconia as a more surprising option - bold, architectural, and a lively contrast to neutral ceramics. Note that these realistic artificial flowers are sold per stem, so buy a couple at a time to fill a regular vase.
Price: $325
This lotus-inspired vase by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl for 101 Copenhagen is all contrasts: a series of soft, layered petals resting on sharp, structured feet. Cast in fiber concrete, it exudes a raw, sculptural presence, although it isn't fully waterproof. Dried or faux stems work just fine, but it does feature an internal bag for fresh arrangements.
Price: $299
Size: 4' x 6'
A good tropical rug is hard to find - they often veer toward gimmicky. But this one nails it. A melodrama of diverse influences, it reimagines the Garden of Eden with nods to Kehinde Wiley, Dalí, Frida Kahlo, and Basquiat. Checkered patterns, jungle cats, bold botanicals - it's eclectic without being confusing, providing a stabilizing force in any space.
Price: $749.99, Was: $1,500
Introduce a sculptural piece to your living room with this twisted reed-based ottoman - a labor of love. Each reed is soaked, hand-coiled, fastened, and lacquered to create its mesmerizing organic form. Paired with oatmeal bouclé, this piece softens the sharper tropical elements in this edit.
Price: $2,498
"Ventana" translates to window in Spanish, an apt name for a chandelier that feels open, airy, and light-filled. A multi-tiered cascade of honey-toned wooden beads, it echoes island luxury - rooted in tropical aesthetics but without the heavy-handed nostalgia. It could easily grace the lobby of a luxury resort or sit over your dining table, bringing warmth and depth to the space.
Price: $175
Palm trees aren't mandatory for the "Island-core" look - but if you want to embraces it, they certainly help. Designer Johanna Ortiz infuses her signature Hispanic spirit into everything she creates, from clothing to homeware, and these bowls are no exception. Layered over dinner plates, they bring an effortless transportive quality - add a bamboo tray, and suddenly, it's room service.
So, what does Emma think now? "I knew if anyone could make it stylish, it would be you, Julia."
Fancy yourself a visit to that tropical paradise on your vision board? Better pack the The White Lotus x Away collection - a masterclass in chaotic luxury and impeccable luggage choices from your favorite fictional aristocrats.
- In contrast to the outdated tropics of the 80s, modern interior design aims for cultivated elegance in tropical aesthetic, as demonstrated by the recent CB2 collaboration with The White Lotus.
- Textured materials like rattan, bamboo, linen, and reclaimed wood create a grounded, authentic feel in tropical interior design, while handwoven textiles and stone accents add layers of depth.
- The tropical aesthetic of today focuses on organic luxury, aiming to channel the tranquility of a posh island retreat instead of a beachside souvenir shop.
- Artistic objects inspired by the island lifestyle, such as sculptural driftwood, oversized ceramic vessels, and shell inlays, can be incorporated without slipping into tropes.
- For a more surprising option in tropical interior design, consider using heliconia flowers, bold and architectural, in place of palm leaves.
- Achieve the "Island-core" look with designer Johanna Ortiz's bowls, which infuse a transportive Hispanic spirit into any space, layered over dinner plates and placed on a bamboo tray, making it feel like room service in a tropical paradise.
