Turquoise crystal clear waters, fine white sandy beach and lush green palms trees; the thoughts that spring to mind when someone mentions the word 'tropical'. A big interiors trend for summer 2016 is all things tropical, but before you all rush out and buy bamboo furniture and wheel in 6 foot palm trees into your living room, here's my tips on creating the 'tropical look' with style.
If you really want to make a bold impact, then why not plunge for a dramatic statement wallpaper or fabric on an iconic piece of furniture. Witch and Watchman's Xanadu Dark wallpaper is a beautiful example of using the tropical theme in a bold but classic style. This stunning wallpaper mixes lush greens, purples and blacks to create a luxurious background to any room.
Another great example is Cole and Son's Palm Jungle wallpaper, which uses emerald-green, teal and china blue colours to create their bold palm print.
If you'd rather keep your walls neutral but want to add the tropical look in fabrics, then this amazing one-of-a-kind vintage 1940's refurbished chair from IAMIA at notonthehighstreet.com is simply beautiful.
Marks and Spencer want to help you add that tropical atmosphere to your bedroom, with this bird print bedding set. The bedding is available from single to super-king and features lovely finishing touches such as dark blue piping and a cream 100% cotton backing.
It can be quite easy to go a bit OTT with the tropical theme and end up looking like some Tiki cocktail bar, so it might be best to pick elements that complement more neutral aspects of your room. Lighting can be a fun way of adding a little tropical atmosphere to your interior, without it being over powering.
Rockett St George offer a stunning array of lighting, with these pineapple wall and table lights as a great example. Combine these with stunning side tables in gold from The French Bedroom Company or even an obvious favourite of mine, an elephant table from Urban Outfitters.
Using cushions and accessories can also be an effective and affordable way of getting the summer 2016 look, like these cushions from Made.com made from luxurious embroidered and velvet fabrics.
Dinner and glassware is also awash with the tropical theme at the moment, from full-scale dining sets to salt and pepper shakers. Urban Outfitters have a great range a products on offer to create a fun summer look, with pineapple mugs and more subtle khaki mugs.
West Elm also have a great fun collection with a perfect little nod to the theme, I love the little flamingo salt and pepper shakers and combine these with the cartoon like flamingo dinner plates, it just oozes fun and unique style.
Zara Home have also unveiled their summer 2016 collections too, with unique pieces with a tropical look and feel. I love the large leaf serving plate complete with porcelain snail and the insanely cute monkey tea-pot. For a more subtle look however, they also offer their Swirly Earthenware dinner set in gorgeous green and muted orange.
There's so much of the 'tropical look' around from all retailers this summer, from the major designers to high street stores and supermarkets. Whether you choose to add little tropical accessories or go the full hog and create a stunning statement room, just remember...in Club Tropicana, the drinks are free...
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