Sharon Lowe, Contributor

Wooden bowls nest in this rattan recliner from Bali. - File

We live in a tropical country, but so often as homeowners we choose to decorate our homes using design styles from other countries that either depict changing seasons or have nothing to do with the tropical environment we live in.

Although many pieces of our furniture and decorating ideas come from abroad, we have right here in Jamaica materials of every colour, texture and shape that we can use to create a tropical vibes in our home environs.

Think of the fact that, when we visit those foreign lands, particularly in winter, we long for the vibrant tropical environment we have grown accustomed to.

Some of us are fortunate to stay in rooms and suites that are decorated with colours, furniture and accessories all depicting our tropical environment. If such places can offer such warmth, why then don't we bring those settings into our own homes?

Locally, many new homeowners for the past few years have been pulling the warm outdoors inside, and have concluded that it is both comforting and warm and creates and exotic atmosphere,

Tropical vibes are not limited to living and family rooms alone. You can also transform your bedroom into paradise.

Texture mix

The key is to mix a lot of texture with different intricate patterns. What you want to achieve is lush minimalism by tastefully using natural motifs, for example, palm trees, large prints of other plants, animal prints, rattan, leather and grass.

For your backdrop, work with neutral tones that would be shades of ivory, beige, tan, deep brown, soft gold and pale yellows.

Green would be the major element here, ranging from light sage to avocado, from yellow greens to dark greens.

For accent pieces, work with dark brown, black and even subdued reds. Select furniture that are large yet comfortable.

Pieces made from wicker, bamboo, rattan and even iron are perfect accent pieces for this theme.

Headboards perfect

Wicker adds texture to this room's design.

Select soft, lush fabric, such as chenille in solid to upholster the major furniture pieces, and use the coordinates of jungle prints and leaf designs to cover ottomans, chairs and pillows. Headboards and other furniture made of wood are perfect for this theme, especially if the floor itself is of wood.

Accessorising is the key in creating a tropical vibe, yet one has to be careful not to overdo the room with accessories and so creating instead a jungle.

Window treatments should preferably display natural materials such as bamboo, grass or matchstick. These are found in blinds that can be custom made by our local dealers here in Jamaica, and our unique plantation shutters are excellent choices.

For softer, subtler material, panels of breezy linen or feather-like sheer are superb choices.

Place large plants in the corners of the room and use rugs of our own natural materials and fibres to accent your flooring.

Select art work that picks up the colour palate of the room, displaying palm trees, jungle animals and leaf designs. Lighting fixtures can be whimsical, designed in the shape of animals, leaf or jungle accents. To finish off add smaller items of miniature bamboo plants, baskets, wooden bowls and even stuffed animals.

When all this is done, I am sure there will be no need for you to go elsewhere to feel that tropical energy.

Send your queries and feedback to Sharon Lowe at sharonintdec@yahoo.com.