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Caribbean Passion: Infusing Red into Home Design

lagnappe May 17, 2018 Color, Tips & Tricks 0

In this final post of our spring color series, we’re showing off how red can bring some zing into your home! We’ve been sharing ideas on how to incorporate more color into the home with great design, and you can check out our yellow, orange, green and blue posts as well.

From a stunning red hibiscus flower to the glowing embers of a beach fire, the color red is all about bringing warmth into your spaces. Check out these ideas for infusing this passionate color into the home.

Starting with the most subtle way to use red, accent furniture like these bar stools will liven up your morning coffee.
Red pillows and oceanic artwork are another great accent for any room (but especially bedrooms!)
A little drama never hurt anyone! A bright red rug sets the stage for some really unique hanging beds.
Red is a nice choice for large pieces of furniture. These statement pieces anchor a room and reduce the need for lots of other decor that would compete with the vibrant hue.
Shades of red vary greatly, and a more coral tone works well in Caribbean homes. Patterns and textures help break up the intensity of the color as well.
If red furniture doesn’t suit your style, why not let your porch do the talking? A painted floor is a great conversation starter on the porch or patio.
A vibrant red vanity makes a mundane trip to the bathroom exciting.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Caribbean Sunset: Orange in Interior Design

lagnappe April 28, 2018 Furnishings 0

Welcome to the next post spring color blog series! If you read our last post we invoked the warmth of a bright yellow Caribbean sun. In this post, we’re still in the warm color family, but channeling a beautiful island sunset after a day on the water with orange decor ideas. Bringing orange into your design will instantly warm up a room and add energy to a space. Read on to see some simple was to add this citrusy hue into your decor.

Want some more color? Check out our blue, green, and yellow posts and stay tuned for more in this color series!

Any outdoor space is perfect for orange. Adding accent pillows and colorful lantern lighting warms everything up on a cool evening.
Orange can be modern, too. With sleek white furniture, it becomes the perfect place to relax while enjoying a stunning Caribbean blue view.
For a more traditional look, an orange patterned rug sets the stage for enjoying a cool glass of something on the porch. Add seat cushions, accent pillows and warm light from orange carriage lanterns and you’ll have a hard time sending people home.
If a lot of orange is too bold for your taste, adding in a pillow here or there livens things up without being overwhelming. Even better news: orange is the perfect complementary color to all of the blues used in a lot of island homes.
Ready to get funky? A vintage wallpaper with orange tones can really make for an interesting powder room!
Orange works well with neutrals like white and grey, too. An orange mirror or detail on a roman shade break up a monochromatic bathroom or foyer.
The kitchen is another perfect place for orange to be the star of the show. Orange lighting is a simple way to add color to a room that is used a lot. Too much orange in a space like this could become cartoonish.
Tile is another way to add orange to a space that could use color but not drama. A patterned tile with neutral undertones is best for kitchens that have a lot of light but need somewhere for the eye to go.
A den or kids’ bunk room is begging for pops of playful orange. Neutrals + orange accents is a great way to keep a space interesting for kids but not have the room become overrun with characters or comic book-esque items.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Caribbean Sun: Incorporating Yellow Into Your Home

lagnappe April 18, 2018 Color, Furnishings, Lighting 0

This is post #3 in our spring color blog series! We’re offering ideas and inspiration for those wanting to add more color into their homes, but are maybe unsure of how to go about it. Our design philosophy is about making a space beautiful and liveable. The color yellow has sometimes been relegated to muted kitchens or a neutral baby’s room. But the Caribbean sun is bright, vibrant and alive! Here are some ideas for brining the sunshine into your home without getting burned.

Want some more color? Check out our blue and green posts and stay tuned for more in this color series!

A sunny yellow pendant light in the kitchen can bring some personality to a space that gets used a lot. It may bring you some energy on early mornings!
Even though the outdoors is often bright enough, some sunny yellow patio furniture creates a welcoming space. Forget traditional brown wicker and go for bold yellow chairs or accent pillows.
  Sometimes painting an entire room yellow can be too much. But a tiled accent wall can provide just the right pop of color.
If painting IS the way to go for you, a softer yellow is a good idea for a bedroom. It keeps things light and cheery without being too loud and making your restful bedroom too “alive” for sleeping. A muted yellow tone can almost serve as a neutral canvas that you can build on.  
  Yellow wainscoting or paneled walls set a soft and cheerful mood in a dining space. You can imagine hosting brunch here or enjoying dinner with your family.
Back in the kitchen, painting cabinets yellow is a great way to incorporate color without fear of going too bold. Make sure the color is soft but not too beige-y to avoid a flat, monochromatic look.  
  If yellow cabinets still seem like too much, a yellow valance over a window brings a nice vibrancy to the sink. You’re doing dishes and preparing food there, so you may as well have something bright and fun to look at!
Say you DO want something bright and bold. Nothing does that better than yellow! Home accents in bright yellow tones bring the eye to places in the room normally overlooked.  
If you must work at home, creating a space that you actually enjoy working in is key. Yellow is a great color for an office as it can help energize you and keep you motivated. A cheery wallpaper in a small office space may make you more productive!

We hope you’ll join us for our next color series installment: orange! Wanting some design inspiration? Contact us, we can help!

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Spring Green: Revive, Refresh, Renew

lagnappe March 28, 2018 Furnishings, Kitchens, Tips & Tricks 0

Welcome to the second installment of our spring color blog series! As a designer, I often hear people tell me they want to add color to their homes, but are afraid to do so. In this series, we focus on a color scheme and some simple, fear-free ways to incorporate it into your home. We may throw in a bold idea here or there, too! Did you miss our blue post? Check it out here.

The Caribbean is lush and vibrant, and nothing says “refresh” like the color green.

The kitchen is a great place to liven up with some green. Without having to drastically change the entire room, painting a kitchen island cabinets creates contrast and a lively place to entertain and gather.

  
A SUPER simple way to invite more green into the home is to literally, put greenery in your home. Live plans purify the air and bring some of the natural beauty of the islands indoors.
A subtle way to add some green hues to a room is to paint some shelving. Rather than changing the color of the entire bookcase, by opting to paint just the back, the color remains subtle but still catches the eye.  
  A little bolder but still not overbearing, bright curtains, pillows and styled shelves make this living room feel fresh.
Green as an accent color is always a sure bet. Grab some complimentary pillows, throws or rugs and you’re in the fresh business.
  A teal-green tiled backsplash and shower wall are great ways to add some color to the bathroom. This is a great option if you’re not interested in going bold with a printed wallpaper or all-over green tile.
Feeling a little bolder? This cool palm print wallpaper is a fresh addition to a bathroom. It will feel like a natural spa and add some interest to a typically “boring” room.
  Changing a room’s paint or wallpaper is an obvious way to update the space, but choosing green doesn’t have to be an “out there” decision. Softer hues are calming, and perfect for a place where work needs to get done, like an office.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Feeling Blue: 7 Creative Hues at Home

lagnappe March 18, 2018 Furnishings 0

Spring is a time of renewal, and there’s never been a better time to freshen up your spaces. One common design complaint is that people think their homes feel bland, but are afraid to add color on the chance that it’s “too much”.  Color is a great way to bring some new life into your home, and we have ideas for every room. We’ll be posting a series of blogs with creative ideas for bringing in all kinds of colors to your home this season. In this post, we’re focused on all the beautiful ways blue can liven up a space or bring zen-like calm to a room.

A bathroom is instantly transformed with a tiled accent wall. Choosing a bold color – or range of colors – draws the eye toward it and keeps a typically “boring” room more interesting.
The lowly pantry often gets overlooked. But why can’t a place that gets used every day  – multiple times a day – also be beautiful? Consider painting storage cabinets or walls behind open shelves to bring some life into the space.
A rug is a quick and simple way to add color to any room. This living area is anchored by this beautiful teal rug that adds texture and softness to the room.
Who says wicker has to be brown? The porch or patio is a great way to incorporate a bold color or pattern – or both! Outdoor areas aren’t seen all the time, so you can take a few more design risks without fear.
Painted cabinets are a bold way to add color to the kitchen, but if going blue in the whole kitchen is too much, consider painting just the island or adding colorful bar stools to the breakfast bar.
A home office doesn’t have to be dark and dreary. This lovely periwinkle color on the mass the open shelves pop and reduces the need for large artwork on other walls.
A blue bedroom is a calming place to end up each night. Aside from paint, consider a textured wallpaper or new bedding to brighten up your personal oasis.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Caribbean Color: Design Inspiration By Nature

lagnappe February 28, 2018 Furnishings 0

My eyes are always seeing things from a design perspective, and this is true when I look outside as well. Whether incorporating tropical plants into a client’s home or choosing a fabric that will reflect a cloudless sky, I am constantly inspired by the beautiful island I call home.

Who wouldn’t be inspired by this view?

When it comes to choosing colors for interior design, the Caribbean offers lots of inspiration! Check out some of these ideas and how the colors of the islands could inspire a color transformation in your home.

The views from many of my clients’ homes are truly breathtaking. And I personally love the varying shades of  “Caribbean blues”.
The deep blue of the ocean inspired the sofa in this airy bedroom. With the room being light and bright, the darker blues offer a great accent and draw the eye around the room.
A personal favorite, this image of my family on the beach with this beautiful white horse says a lot about my design style. I love a clean neutral palette with bright pops of color.
Like the alabaster horse, this bathroom is crisp and clean. The tiled shower adds color, dimension and movement, much like the waves of the ocean. calypso-villa
   This image shows not only another example of the stunning colors of the Caribbean water, but of textures that come from the sea as well.
Different fabrics with a variety of textures make a space more interesting. This rug incorporates that beautiful teal blue hue of the sea, while the natural wood coffee table, sofa and pillows give the room a softer, more inviting feel.  
  I always say that our designs here are a little different than stateside because it really is about a lifestyle. The casual nature of island life also leads to a simplicity in home interiors.
 There are no “formal” dining rooms here or living rooms only for Sunday guests.  All spaces are intended to be lived in and somewhere in every home needs to have swimsuit-friendly seating. There is so much elegance in a simple, well-appointed lifestyle.

Color inspiration can come from anywhere, but the Caribbean is rich with some amazing hues to pull from. From the water, to the lush vegetation to an unforgettable sunset, where you live (both inside and out) should reflect what you love. What colors inspire you?

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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The Royal Treatment: Fashion Meets Home Decor

lagnappe February 1, 2018 Furnishings 0

I confess, I’m a royal watcher; is that un-American? Well now that the lovely Meghan Markle is joining the house of Windsor, maybe it’s a touch more American?  Meghan’s personal style is inspiring, and I look forward to seeing her bring that to her new family and the world. The dress she wore in her engagement photos is totally to die for. So of course as a designer, I find myself wondering how I can incorporate her style –and that dress! – into my design work. After all, I work with a lot of fabric! Check out some gown-inspired design ideas (as well as some other Meghan Markle fashions) below…

What comes close to the texture of that layered skirt?  How about a loosely constructed roman shade in sheer pintucked linen with just a touch of bling at the bottom.

Embroideries, gorgeous embroideries! Unfortunately, they are delicate fabrics and don’t make good upholstery. We like to enjoy them as drapery panels accent pillows and bedding!

Add a little bit of the look to existing drapery with embroidered tapes.

Meghan wore a red velvet dress to Christmas celebrations with the royal family. Velvet is making a big comeback in interiors as well!

These dining room chairs add a luxurious elegance to any meal!
Put a statement velvet couch in a room and your eye won’t want to go anywhere else.

In a 2016 Good Housekeeping article, Meghan wore a fantastic striped dress (on a boat!), and of course we love the nautical look in home design.

Stripes on a couch? Yes please.  
Or keep the stripes close to the ground and bring the sea inside with artwork and other accents.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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How to Create A Tropical-Chic Vibe: 3 Top Tips

lagnappe January 15, 2018 Furnishings 0

Caribbean homes have a particular flair and panache, and the look is one that many people try to recreate. As a full-service interior designer, living and working in the Caribbean, creating this vibe is often one my clients want to produce in their own homes, even though each person’s style comes through differently. While every design is unique, a few universal elements weave the Caribbean tapestry together into a vibrant look in each home.

Walls

Paint colors often trip people up, but they don’t have to. Crisp whites offer a classic neutral canvas for you to use artwork and other accents to create your perfect space. Nature is also a great place to look for color inspiration. The ocean offers a huge palette of blues, teals and greens, and a buttery yellow sun color is a bold choice. When it comes to bathrooms, consider using a fun tropical printed wallpaper or unique tile to bring some dimension to a smaller space.

Flooring

A floor sets the tone for a room, and tile does double duty. As well as being beautiful, durable and easy to clean, it keeps things cool. If tile feels too cold for the room, this is where a great rug comes into play, all while adding texture to large spaces. When it comes to a truly “tropical” flooring option, the more natural-looking the better.

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Lighting

In addition to flooring creating the foundation for a great looking space, lighting can really change the way a room looks. In order to know what lighting is wanted or needed, take note of the way natural sunlight plays in the room at different times of day. This information will help determine the kind of lighting that will enhance the way you live in the space. With lots of options for beautiful and unique fixtures, lighting brings drama to your rooms, as well as serving a functional purpose. Work with the natural light so your tropical rooms appear larger.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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Fresh Fretwork: New Takes on A Classic Style

lagnappe December 20, 2017 Furnishings 0

Chippendale-style fretwork  is a classic New England style of furniture that is popping up in modern homes and giving them an updated elegance. The classic pattern in new colors and materials makes for a perfect way to bring some timeless style into Caribbean homes.

Furniture

Chippendale chairs make a great statement around a dining table or as accents in the living room. Bright colors and fabrics add texture and bring life into the room! With lots of personalization options, you can continually update these chairs to freshen up your design year after year.

Image via Architectural Digest

Don’t be afraid to go bold with color and to mix and match the chairs and colors to get the perfect palette for your room.

Fabrics

Great for both inside and out, fretwork patterns create dimension and movement in a space. With coordinating colors and pillows, this modern take on an old style will liven up any room or patio.

Fretwork fabric from Sunbrella

When used on a focal piece like a headboard, an accent wall  or even a whole room, fretwork brings a garden-like feel to a space without being overbearing.

Headboard fabric by Quadrille Fabrics

Don’t discount the power of a really beautiful patterned wallpaper. Fretwork in a powder room packs a punch!

Accents

Fretwork patterned home accessories bring beautiful detail into a space without being too busy or taking attention away from other elements in the room. Try adding a mirror for a unique feature on a wall, a cocktail table for more detail near the floor, or light up the room with a unique fretwork lamp.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.

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5 Signs It’s Time To Hire A Professional Interior Designer

lagnappe November 9, 2017 Furnishings, Tips & Tricks 0

If you’ve ever made the decision to tackle a home improvement project or redesign, you may or may not have a sense of how much work is involved. It sounds easy at first:

  • Pick some paint colors
  • Choose a new light fixture
  • Shop! Install! LOVE!

The good news is that YES, choosing the colors, fabrics and finishes can be very fun. But the bad news is this: it takes a LOT of work. More work than you may be prepared to do on your own. Many people think that going it alone will help them save money. In the end, we’ve found that while your initial cost may be low (designers can’t work for free!), you end up spending more in the long run because you aren’t getting exactly what you want, so you keep buying more and more stuff to get you where you originally envisioned.

Whether you’ve hit a roadblock and are ready to have a pro come in and save the day or if you already know you don’t want to go it alone, here are five signs that it’s time to hire a designer.

Afraid to Take the first Step

You may be a fan of home improvement TV shows and get so inspired when you see what the hosts do to improve someone’s home, or you may get an idea from a great magazine or article you read online. But when it comes to your own space, it’s hard to know where to begin. You see your home every day, but a designer can come in with fresh eyes and help you put a plan together to get the result you want. They can take the fear out of dipping your toe in the design pool and get you excited about jumping into a project!

Overwhelmed!

There are a LOT of choices out there, and it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning in options. From paint colors to furniture and window treatments galore, choosing elements you not only like but work together well in a room takes some finesse. Designers have an eye for creating spaces that are not only functional but beautiful, and having someone take the lead can reduce your stress and help you feel more at ease during your renovation or redesign. If you tell your designer you’re overwhelmed, they can narrow down hundreds of choices so that you can focus on what’s really important to you.

Ideas on Paper. Only.

Perhaps you have the perfect design already worked out. Great! Now, do you know who to hire to get that fantastic tile work done? How about where to buy your new favorite pillows? Does that store ship to the Caribbean? What’s a good price for renovation work? Sometimes implementing a great idea takes more knowledge than the average person has. An interior designer does this all day, every day and can help connect you with the right contractors and vendors to make your vision come to life.

Can’t Visualize End Product

Sometimes it’s hard to picture the sofa you love from one place going with the paint color you picked working with your new flooring. And don’t even start on extras and home accessories. If you know what you like when you see it but have a hard time envisioning everything working together, a designer will have a great eye and can tell you if your ideas are all headed in the same direction.

A designer can also make recommendations that you may not be thinking about but could really make a big visual difference in your home.

Don’t Have Time

Plain and simple, good design takes time. Have a professional take some of the tasks off your plate so you can get the project DONE and then enjoy it.

About Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Lagnappe Custom Interiors is a full-service interior design firm specializing in bringing the small niceties to a home or commercial space that make it memorable, functional and yours. Based out of St. Thomas, Lagnappe [LAN-YAP] is led by Tiffany Cassidy who enjoys working with clients to create a home that reflects their style and needs. Tiffany marries her artistic and scientific sides together to bring the residents of the Virgin Islands and continental U.S. an interior decorating service that manages the complex and turns it into beauty. Her goal is to not only make a home prettier, but in doing so, make your life better. Visit www.Lagnappe.com for more information.