Island Christmas
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A Remote Christmas Holiday

Melanie Morris December 1, 2020 Beach / Caribbean, Furnishings, Interior Design, Kitchens, Lighting, Outdoor Living, Tips & Tricks 0

A St. Thomas Christmas
How do you and your family celebrate the holidays? Does everyone gather at a family member’s home to enjoy great company and great food? Or is it a time for an annual dining experience at your favorite local restaurant? What about a Christmas getaway kind of custom? Many families spend their Christmas holiday with a classic Christmas family vacation filled with luxury and tradition. This take on Christmas makes it one to remember every year with new adventures and joyous memories made in paradise. There are a few things to consider for your vacation home with an added island style for a magical experience during the most magical time of the year.

A Remote Christmas Holiday

 

Exotic holiday vacation spots can bring the festive yuletide, minus the snow. The culture, seasonality, and entertainment of your destination will make for a memorable adventure. With these vacation rental tips, your home will be the perfect place to “sleigh” the holidays.

1. Comforts of Home

Coming home for the holidays does not mean you have to go to your family’s permanent residence. Coming home for the holidays can also mean coming home to your family’s holiday island excursion. Spending the holidays in a home away from home still leaves a yearning for those little things in life that bring us comfort and cheer during this joyous season. Leaving plenty of room for holiday décor is one way to help make a holiday retreat extra special. Let those lights, tinsel, and holly fly! Ample amounts of kitchen space for families to gather in and make memories together to prepare all of their favorite decadent holiday delights is a sure way to make sure everyone’s spirits are bright. 

 

A Remote Island Christmas

 

2. One of a Kind Design

Unlike your typical hotel and resorts, vacation homes are much more personal and family-friendly. The amount of control you have over your vacation rental allows you to create a one-of-a-kind design for your guests to enjoy. Whether you are renting a beachfront or a villa that overlooks the island’s twinkling lights, your vacation rental will be the perfect home base for island visitors. Capitalizing on design elements that make St. Thomas a memorable and exotic experience is another way to make your guests’ accommodations unique. Gathering places that go beyond the living room, such as fire pits or outdoor seating areas that face the ocean’s grandness, offer memorable Christmas moments that you can only enjoy in a place like St. Thomas.

 

Island Christmas

 

3. Family Friendly

Not all vacation spots are the same. After a long year of COVID and many other hurdles, families will be planning on reconnecting to close out this year together. Family-friendly spaces will be environments for more intimate events but allow plenty of wiggle room for those larger families who have survived this year together. Open kitchens, sofa filled lounges, or roomy decks overlooking the beach are all ways you can prepare your home for plenty of space to play, dine, and celebrate. 

To pull off a St. Thomas Christmas holiday experience, give us a call. Our perspective and well-experienced team know island vacation rentals inside and out. We can weave the holidays’ magic with the prestige of island paradise, so the only question will be where you want to spend the holidays this year?

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Favorite Daybeds: 7 Examples

Melanie Morris June 18, 2020 Beach / Caribbean, Outdoor Living 0

The hanging daybed has been a HUGE client favorite request in the past couple years, so here are a few of our favorites that you can order online.

Daybeds encourage that slower island lifestyle in a place and time when you really do find the freedom to dive into a good book, doze into an afternoon nap, or indulge in a relaxed happy hour, because you know it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere!

Since we’re all spending a little more time at home lately, why not treat yourself to a special comfort piece to help your porch or yard feel a little more like a summer retreat.

If you have the space and ability to hang a larger size daybed try one of these. They are the perfect place to take an afternoon nap.

The low arm height makes it perfect for propping up a pillow or a peaceful place to stretch out. The 78” size is about the size of a twin mattress.
We love the tropical look of this daybed and all the colorful throws make it even more inviting.

If you don’t have room to hang a daybed, but you still have a good amount of space this is a great option that also provides a little shade.

Another alternative is this classic West Indies style daybed. This option could also work indoors especially in a rental condo.

For those smaller spaces this little single seater is sure to be the most popular seat in the house. These are available with and without a stand.

For a more intimate setting this daybed provides a cozy little nest that would suit smaller spaces with a 51in diameter.

There are plenty of daybed options to promote those zen moments we all need to recharge and refresh our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Enjoy!

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Open Door Decor: 8 of Our Favorite Indoor-Outdoor Home Pieces and Materials

Melanie Morris March 17, 2020 Outdoor Living 0

It’s springtime — the perfect time of year to open the windows and patio doors and let the island breeze refresh your home. Many of the island homes Lagnappe Custom Interiors designs have outdoor living spaces so homeowners can enjoy the beautiful landscape all year ‘round. We always stock these spaces with beautiful and functional indoor-outdoor pieces — furniture, finishes and décor that can withstand outside conditions like rain and sun. We also look for items that are easy to live with, clean well and require little maintenance because we’d rather spend the weekend at the beach than refinishing patio furniture!  Many of these originated in the yachting world but are just as common on land. In our work, the indoor living room and the outdoor living room should be equally lovely and comfortable!

Life on a Caribbean island means we are accustomed to enjoying our time outside and staging our spaces to support an indoor-outdoor lifestyle compared to those in more land-locked locations. If your permanent home is in an urban area, you can still take advantage of the outdoor spaces you do have. There are many ways to bring the outside in or properly furnish your outdoor areas with materials that can withstand the elements. Take a skim through the list below for some of our favorite indoor-outdoor items that can be seen across yacht and island designs.

8 Home Pieces and Materials Great Indoors and Out

  1. Rugs – Indoor-outdoor rugs are a great design choice because they’re made of synthetic fibers that hold their shape and color particularly well. It’s so easy to clean the sandy footprints off these rugs! Lagnappe will often purchase the same synthetic rug in different sizes and use one inside and one outside to flow the design past a home’s four walls.
  2. Melamine — Melamine is a nitrogen-rich compound that is virtually unbreakable, making it an incredibly durable product. We love using melamine dishware and glasses in our designs, especially for outdoor kitchens where plates and serveware may be stored outside. No more worrying about broken glass by the pool.
  3. Wood — No matter the style of home or its location, wood is one of the most-used materials in interior design. On yachts, you’ll see floors, cabinetry and furniture made of solid woods like mahogany and teak. Lagnappe always ensures any woods we use outdoors are high quality and of a species that will either weather in an attractive way (think old teak steamer chairs that gray over time) or is finished in a way that will hold up to the elements.
  4. Stainless steel — Stainless steel is a timeless metal finish choice. We love this rust and corrosion resistant metal and use it on appliances indoors and out.
  5. Antiqued brass — Antiqued brass is another favorite metal. Inside, we like to use it for accents and fixtures. Outside, we’ll select tables and chairs, or stools made from this warm, corrosion-resistant metal. It’s important to remember that solid brass is a “living” finish and will patina over time. If you don’t like the patina, simply polish the brass and it’ll look new again.
  6. Solution-dyed acrylics — Acrylic fabrics are a chic and long-lasting choice whether used on indoor or outdoor sofas and loungers. Sunbrella is one of our favorite brands because of its bright colors and nautical style. The material can withstand heat and moisture, and resists fading in the sun. Best of all, it’s easy to clean and mildew resistant. We regularly make pop-over covers for pool and yacht cushions in these materials.
  7. Natural stone — One way we create a seamless design is carrying through natural stones from the inside to the outdoors. We may use the same countertops for both the indoor and outdoor kitchens or may construct an outdoor fire pit using the same stone on the indoor fireplace surround.
  8. Synthetic woven rattan — This fiber has grown in popularity in recent years and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Rattan is a regular texture used in Lagnappe designs, including on patio furniture, accents and wall art. The new synthetics are long lasting and attractive enough to use inside and out.
Synthetic rattan is one of our favorite textures to use in island interior design. It works both inside, as seen on these dining chairs, and outdoors on the patio. The natural textures keep the organic island vibe throughout the home.
A beautiful teak wood dining set is the star of this Lagnappe patio design. We also chose this acrylic fabric for the upholstery to make sure the cushions maintain their crisp blue look all season long.
This covered patio has truly become a cozy and inviting outdoor living room thanks to the long-lasting materials – synthetic wicker and Sunbrella and Thaibaut fabrics. Lagnappe Custom Interiors carried the same color palette throughout the home to link the interior and exterior spaces.
Outdoor pool area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool
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Planning a Beautiful Outdoor Living Space

PMMAdmin3 September 27, 2019 Furnishings, Niceties, Outdoor Living, Tips & Tricks

Are you designing a vacation home, or dream of planning a beautiful outdoor living space to enjoy tropical weather year-round?

Not everyone shares the same needs and desires when designing their vacation home. Design teams need to begin with a discussion with their clients to learn how they envision using the space.

“We always start with asking lots of questions, and listening carefully so we can personalize every space for the homeowners. It’s the first step in bringing the daydream into life. Is the intention a private space for a family with a lot of commitments? Or will the plan be to maximize the ROI from vacation rentals, and hosting special events and weddings. Every space has different needs,” says Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

Outdoor pool area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool
An outdoor living area with ample shade will keep tile flooring cool

The process can be easy and enjoyable when the proper steps are taken to asses your wishes.

“Our team chats with clients to help them make selections that are appropriate for the space, the use, the climate and budget,” says Tiffany.

Before you can begin selecting the furniture and other accessories to design your dream outdoor living area, review the following considerations.

Here are some conversation starters from Lagnappe Custom Interiors’ typical client meetings:

1. How many people will your home sleep? This is the first question asked in the initial planning stages. Larger families need more outdoor space. Lounging areas and dining tables are selected based on how many seats you need at the table, or how many loungers around the pool.

2. Do you plan to host parties or entertain? Some clients like to host parties when down on vacation. Others wish to rent their homes on VRBO (link to https://www.vrbo.com/) as a party destination for weddings, reunions or gatherings.

“We like to design a good bit of flexibility into these spaces to accommodate groups of varying sizes. Adding bar ledges with stools is a clever way to provide additional multi-functional seating at parties. Modular furniture is a great choice, as it can be moved around the create little lounging vignettes here and there when it’s just the family at home. For large functions, they can be combined to form one, big seating area,” says Tiffany.

3. What is your optimal balance for sun verses shade? For visitors who are not from the islands and used to the strong sun, ample shade is crucial to the layout of the outdoor area. Of course, clients want to include areas for sun bathing, so your design team can determine the best spots for sun.

Covered Patio with dining area
A covered patio keeps loved ones and furnishings protected from harsh UV rays.

“The intense sun in the Caribbean is not only hard on your skin, but also hard on outdoor furniture. Fabrics and materials which are left outdoors need to be selected based on what lasts in the this climate. We default to a few select lines of outdoor furniture which will withstand the UV rays, salt, and chlorine,” says Tiffany.

For shade structures and umbrellas, Tuuci has products which can transform a sunny spot into a shady oasis. Umbrellas can be added into swimming pools to provide shade for kids who play in the water all day.

You can also consider a permanent structure to provide coverage from both the sun and showers. A covered bar area is perfect for additional seating in the shade, plus a convince to serve cold drinks.

4. Will you be cooking or catering outdoors? Outdoor bars and kitchenettes are popular in the islands, as clients like to maximize their time outside. Dining ‘al fresco’ with a traditional patio table and chairs is simply not enough. Asking the question, “how much does our family like to cook, and do we plan to serve outside” is essential.

Options are available to build custom full-service bars and kitchens, to prepare and serve drinks and meals. These spaces can include features such as grills, stone pizza ovens, refrigerators, cabinets and lots of counter space.

“We like to add beverage coolers and ice makers to outdoor spaces every chance we get. In our view, there can never be too many cold drinks in the Caribbean,” says Tiffany.

5. How much maintenance are you prepared to do? Will you love teak and oil it? Will you wash cushion covers? You need to consider the color and material choice of tiles. Non-slip flooring, especially around the pools, prevents liability issues with vacation rentals. Light colors are necessary in Caribbean homes, as they heat up quickly in the hot sun. However, you need to be prepared to clean them.

Glass table tops are easy to clean with Windex, but many clients like the look of classic teak. Choosing teak is great, if you’re prepared to power-wash, oil, and retouch the paint…or love the weathered grey color teak becomes as it ages.

Consider the fabrics you choose for your outdoor furniture and cushions. Lagnappe loves the Brown Jordan Elements Collection. It contains functional and stylish options, designed to withstand Caribbean climates, and are easier to keep clean.

Poolside wicker lounge with fabric hood awning at sunset
Outdoor furnishings covered with fabric need protection, we love all-in-one solutions for this.

“You’ll need to be mindful of seating options available when people come in from the beach. We have lots of choices for colorful fabrics which are resistant to salt-water- a spot to sit in your wet bathing suit!” says Tiffany.

Caribbean vacation homes need to be designed for both functionality and enjoyment, custom to the clients’ needs. Lagnappe Custom Interiors begins with a conversation with their clients, followed by an efficient process to make the design process simple and fun.

 

 

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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Favorite Finds in an Outdoor Living Area

PMMAdmin3 September 3, 2019 Furnishings, Niceties, Outdoor Living

Clients love planning outdoor living areas for their vacation homes, especially in the late summer. After a season relaxing in the warm air, you can appreciate features needed to enjoy the outdoors. Soak up the sun, lounge under the stars, and embrace dining ‘al fresco’.

Favorite finds’ in an outdoor living area.

Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is an essential to creating ambiance for evening gatherings. The outdoor string lights are weather-proof and durable, and able to withstand Caribbean climates. Now a popular lighting trend, the classic Edison Bulbs are included, making shopping simple. Above each bulb is a little loop built into the fixture for easy hanging with a small zip tie. They’re dimmer-compatible, if you install a dimmer switch, in order to create the right mood for the occasion.

Pizza Oven

Do you enjoy hosting parties when you travel south? The Kettle Pizza Oven adds a unique twist to the outdoor barbecue party scene.

‘Foodies’ who enjoy the gourmet taste of wood-fired pizza love preparing their own creations. For kids, a ‘pizza station’ with toppings keeps them occupied during a function. You can host a special ‘Build Your Own Pizza’ night with friends and neighbors on your return to the islands.

Dinnerware

Melamine dishes are practical and durable, perfect for indoor and outdoor table settings. They’re lightweight, dishwasher-safe, and BPA-free.. Add a little island flare to your BBQ parties with these tropical styles.

Lounge seating

Conversation sets are a staple in every backyard. These sofas are spacious and comfy, and mimic the indoor living room experience, outside. Made from materials including PVC wicker, powder-coated aluminium, and teak, they are intended for backyards in the tropics.

Outdoor Accessories

Outdoor accessories go along way to styling a basic sofa set. Playing with the island style patterns and adornments allows you to personalize your living area. To keep your tropical look sophisticated, use a narrow color selection with different sizes, textures and patterns. These pillows and rug are some favorites by Lagnappe Custom Interiors when making recommendations to clients.  

We love the Serena & Lily outdoor pillows to spice up these plain basic sets that are a back yard staple. They mix and match well, so it’s hard to go wrong. Creating an outdoor living room is a great way to welcome friends and family

Tiffany Cassidy, Lagnappe Custom Interiors

Planning an outdoor living area is an exciting time for every client, and also for Lagnappe Custom Interiors. Working with a team experienced in interior design of vacation homes makes the process easy and enjoyable. Be sure to read the full piece on our website, Designing Your Dream Outdoor Living Area.

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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Designing Your Dream Outdoor Living Area

PMMAdmin3 September 2, 2019 Furnishings, Niceties, Outdoor Living

Mid-late summer is the perfect time for clients enjoying the outdoors to start planning ideas for designing an outdoor living area in their seasonal vacation home.

While enjoying summer, you embrace the relaxation of the air, and soaking up the sun. Now, you appreciate what features you’d like to incorporate outside when you travel to your getaway home during the winter.

When designing an outdoor living room, you need to choose furnishings appropriate for the tropics. Your set-up needs to be able to withstand hot temperatures, salt water, and heavy rainfalls. 

“When we begin a design plan for outdoor space for a client, we first start with a discussion about how they feel they want to live in the space and how we can help them use it to their best advantage.”

Tiffany, Lagnappe Custom Interiors.

Top five elements to consider when designing your perfect outdoor living area:

1. Lounge Seating

Vacation home owners love to bring the whole living room outside. Outdoor ling area sofa sets are made from PVC wicker, powder-coated aluminum, and of course, the classic teak. These materials withstand the weather conditions in the tropics, while providing a modern look.

“Outdoor fabric technology has come a long way in the past five years. We have many beautiful and comfortable fabrics to choose from that are outdoor rated,” says Tiffany.

Like an indoor living area, outdoor living area lounge sets include love seats, sectionals, and arm-chairs. Glass and wicker coffee tables are popular choices to match, along with decorative outdoor cushions.

“I love to use modular sectional seating in outdoor spaces. It creates the flexibility our clients need to host a small, cozy gathering, or a large wedding reception,” explains Tiffany.

2. Day Beds

A fashionable trend at beaches, day beds provide a form of escapism when we are on vacation. They add that ‘resort feeling’ to your home. Traditional sun loungers are furniture of the past in modern backyards. Many accommodate two or more people, allowing you space to share, stretch out, lounge, and sun tan.

Hanging swings are a popular choice to add to your wrap-around porch, or in a shaded outdoor living area. The gentle, swaying motion of a swing is peaceful, perfect to doze for a daytime nap. These swings are also available as shell-shaped chairs, for relaxing with a drink or reading a book.

Outdoor chaise lounges are far more comfortable for tanning than a plastic or metal lounger. Available in a variety of materials, you can chose a style which compliments the architecture of the home.

“We have comfortable styles without cushions for areas near the pool and exposed to the weather. You can add cushions for ultimate, all day lounging comfort,” says Tiffany.

Canopy daybeds are usually circular, offering enough space for a few people. The shell can be down, or used as a cover for shade or protection from a gentle, tropical sun shower.

Much like those you see at beach resorts, cabanas with curtains are perfect for privacy. They are spacious enough to rest a platter of snacks, or a bucket with champagne on ice. 

A perfect outdoor spot

3. Outdoor Bars and Kitchenettes

Whether on vacation, or enjoying the weekend, you want to maximize your time outdoors, including time preparing meals. Designing an outdoor kitchen is the perfect way to cook and serve food entirely ‘al fresco’.

Your design team can source simple kitchenettes and outdoor appliances, or create a custom kitchen from scratch. These spaces can include features such as grills, stone pizza ovens, refrigerators, cabinets and lots of counter space.

“Whenever possible, I like to include an ice maker in outdoor kitchens.  In the Caribbean you can never have too much ice for your drinks,” says Tiffany.

Outdoor Kitchen Example
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/399131585721345003/

A poolside luxury, outdoor bars are trendy, as hosting and entertaining is made simple when the beverages are served outside. Your bar can be a simple all-in-one piece, or custom-built to make your cocktail creations. Full-service bars can include sinks, running water, and special weather-resistant shelves designed to keep your bottles safe.

4. Choosing a Design Direction for your outdoor living area

It’s easy to end up with an eclectic mix of patio furniture.There are so many options, styles and colors too choose from. Clients often like to mix and match pieces from a variety of sources, to add to the Caribbean character. Alternatively, your design team can plan the décor around a specific theme.

Costal themes are popular in Caribbean vacation homes, to embrace the sand and sea. Driftwood and coral prints compliment the tropical lifestyle. If your family likes to sail, consider adorning the space with an anchor, ropes, and other knick knacks for a nautical lifestyle. 

“We look to the style of the home’s architecture and the natural surroundings to inspire our choices for outdoor décor. These spaces are very much focused on the view so we always want to maximize that asset,” says Tiffany.

CalypsoDelight-0861
Enjoy the view with my six must haves for your beach house.

5. Situation and Location

An outdoor living area can be tucked away in a private spot, or overlooking the sea with the best view. Discuss the intention of the area with your design team, so they can select the best spot on your property. 

Entertaining areas may be situated near the indoor kitchen for convenience. Sun bathing areas are best around the pool with the best vistas of the sea. Hanging swings or day beds could be in a peaceful spot, under a tree or in a far corner of the yard. 

“Don’t forget the need for shade to make the space more user-friendly. Large umbrellas or shade structures keep us cool and comfortable,” saysTiffany.

It’s always nice to have a shady spot to kick back.

By working with teams with experience specific to design Caribbean homes, you are guaranteed superior final results. Lagnappe Custom Interiors works with clients remotely, to provide efficient and easy planning when designing a tropical home. With access to the best selection of products, and a database of experts to work with, Lagnappe works to make your vacation dream come true.

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.