For More Free Resources visit www.thedesignbuild.com
(ARA) - Tropical decorative motifs, such as palm trees, monkeys, pomegranates, and the pineapple that symbolizes "welcome," endure for many reasons. Not only are they intrinsically graceful in their own right, but they are also evocative of a relaxed, comfortable, leisurely way of life. Their reflection of ease and warmth has made these motifs popular for generations, and they are enjoying another home fashion renaissance now.
They coincide beautifully with the trend toward such nature-friendly materials as bamboo, wicker and rattan. They also relate to increased interest in exotic places, such as Key West and Bali. Pineapples and pomegranates add an international flavor to the traditional basket of decorative fruits. Monkeys represent a gender-neutral motif, easy to decorate with and especially appropriate for shared spaces, such as the master bedroom, where men may raise objections to an abundant use of floral.
While tropical themes are ideal for decorating a vacation home in a southern climate, they can also carry their luxurious sense of comfort to the harsh winters of the north.
Patterns in the Ellison Bay collection from Maxwell’s Piper Designs division offer an example. The collection takes its name from a beautiful inlet on the Wisconsin side of Lake Michigan -- an idyllic summer resort that is snowbound for much of the winter. While pineapples, interspersed with tropical flowers are in perfect sync with the surroundings in summer, they bring the welcome glow of summer to winter's short, dark days.
For added winter warmth, we used this pattern in red in an entryway. It is installed above a white molding at chair-rail height, and topped with its even more densely floral coordinating border. A harlequin pattern in matching red runs from the chair rail to the floor.
Classic ring-tail monkeys meander along tropical branches in a design in Maxwell's Vintage Colonial collection, which also contains matching borders and a coordinating cheetah print. All three help unify a master bedroom and adjoining dressing area, while also making each space distinctive. To produce a "positive/negative, reverse" visual effect, we combined the monkey wallpaper with a white background and a border of the same design on a black background.
This stunning pair of patterns extends along one wall into the dressing area that is otherwise wallpapered completely in the cheetah pattern. Because Maxwell collections use color families to make coordination easy and mixing and matching foolproof, this cheetah's spots are perfectly color-matched to the monkey's fur.
Such coordination also makes it easy to add true decorator distinction. For example, we covered the two shades on the sconce at the entry to the dressing area with the cheetah wallpaper print. Details like this bear the mark of professional interior design and become a signature of your great taste of the tropics.
The most dramatic of all Maxwell's tropical references is an innovative vertical wall mural, created for the Vintage Tuscany collection from Maxwell's LV Emmert Studios' division. It replicates a floor-to-ceiling window, complete with trompe l'oeil window panes and drawn shades, with an open view to a nearly life-size palm tree in a faux Italian courtyard. We know of no other pattern that can so completely infuse any room with the lush look of the tropics.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Home Decorating Ideas: Decorating On A Budget
- Home Decorators Tips
- 3 Most Wanted Moroccan Interior Design Elements For Home Décor
- Moroccan Decor: Moroccan Decor – Will Do Wonders to your Home
- Home Decorating: Less Is More
- Home Decorating Tips For A Contemporary Style Master Bedroom
- Experience With Home Decoration
- Home Decoration




Multi-Benefits of an Indoor Wall Fountain
By: Wendye Rivera | 11/11/2009Wall Fountains are not just a stylish decorative item but it offers a number of pertinent benefits. The flowing water in the fountain has a comforting sound which creates a tranquil and peaceful ambience in any office or home. 1. Medium for Advertising your Business Advertising your business is a must to be at par with your competitors or more so outdo them. Many companies are coming up with unique ways to make their products known in the market. Another exceptional option companies have is to
Granite Worktops - Kitchen's Makeover
By: jasoncolling | 11/11/2009The Kitchen Remodeling project is incomplete without a stylish worktop. A Good quality worktop is easy to maintain and install. The kitchen worktops play a crucial role in the everyday activities and for this very purpose Granite worktops are the most preferred ones.
Chandelier Candelabrums
By: Ken Smith | 11/11/2009Chandeliers are the most normal of all lighting. Advances in glass making eventually made chandeliers more affordable and crystal chandeliers became the preferred style. Indoor and out of doors chandeliers have changed much over time. They're now manufactured in all dimensions and shapes and can boost any room in your home.
Choosing the Right Window Treatment for Tampa Climate
By: Business Local Listings | 11/11/2009Weather is an important factor to consider whenever you are planning to design your home. More specifically, window treatments for your house have a direct link to the climate of your place. In Tampa, Florida, most window treatments tend to work around the fact that Florida is the “Sunshine State” and there is no better light than natural light.
Wall Arts Preferred By Single Guys
By: meliza mateo | 11/11/2009There are types of wall art perfect for single guys. Know the significance of why they choose them.
A Review of the Haws Drinking Water Fountain
By: Brian & Jeff | 11/11/2009Find out the truth about the Haws Drinking Water Fountain and see if they are right for you at this time. Learn the truth about the Haws Drinking Water Fountain and make your final determination.
An Overview of Window Blinds
By: Sam Decausta | 10/11/2009Window blinds are a cliquish variety of covers fashioned for windows. They are normally used for blocking sunlight, for privacy and for retaining heat during colder seasons. They come in a wide range of materials and colors.
A Guide to Timber and Plantation Shutters
By: Sam Decausta | 10/11/2009To add a touch of luxury and style, it is a good idea to consider using timber and plantation shutters. These window fixtures are inspired by Greek architecture that transcends to modern times. They provide both functional and aesthetic value.
Warm Your Home With a Taste of the Tropics
By: Sandeep Grewal | 17/03/2008 | Interior Design(ARA) - Tropical decorative motifs, such as palm trees, monkeys, pomegranates, and the pineapple that symbolizes "welcome," endure for many reasons.
Google Sitemaps 7 Benefits You Can't Ignore
By: Sandeep Grewal | 17/03/2008 | Web DesignGoogle Sitemaps enables Webmasters to Directly Alert Google to Changes and Additions on a Website and that's just one of 7 Benefits.
Can a Golf Tip Online Help Your Game
By: Sandeep Grewal | 17/03/2008 | TrainingA golf tip online can save you hours out of your schedule, but can it really help your game? With more and more people getting Internet connections, golfers are flocking to the Internet in hopes to find tips, techniques and even total golf performance programs to save their golf
Preparing to Travel
By: Sandeep Grewal | 14/03/2008 | TravelThe world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings
Top 10 Tips to Complete a Creative Writing Project Without Losing Your Creativity
By: Sandeep Grewal | 14/03/2008 | Article MarketingHave you ever started a creative writing project with great excitement, only to have your interest dwindle as the process, itself, interfere with your creativity? How do you keep the momentum going and continue to enjoy the creative process?
Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
By: Sandeep Grewal | 08/03/2008 | Information TechnologyAlthough there are many things that can affect the performance of your computer, there are a few simply things you can do each month to help keep your computer running at maximum performance.
Asset and Liability Basics
By: Sandeep Grewal | 03/03/2008 | Online EducationKnowledge of accounts can make life much easy. If you are to invest in a new business or joining your forefather’s business, planning to take some loan, looking for job in any marketing company, desire to be the manager of a multinational company or have the onus to manage your own assets and liabilities, knowing some basics of accounts becomes mandatory.