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Before and After: Family Condo with Great “Rentability”

lagnappe May 13, 2019 Uncategorized 0

Looking for an escape from their stateside jobs and school schedules, a lovely family with four children hired Lagnappe to renovate and design their island oasis condo. 

When the family isn’t vacationing here, they will utilize it as a short-term rental property to share with other families looking for the perfect island getaway. Later on, it may be used long-term as a place to enjoy retirement.

The best part of what we do as designers is supporting our clients in creating the life they want to live in their homes.  In this case, it’s creating space in a 3-bedroom condo for a family of 6 to relax and enjoy, making the space work for them now, then making this a space that will transition well for them over the years from rental to retirement.  Creating that balance between personal luxury and rental durability is a special kind of balancing act.  We believe strongly in the value of doing things just once and doing them all the way, really right.  The mindset of “just get something cheap and quick” doesn’t feel like value for our clients and it sure doesn’t seem environmentally friendly!  We believe in the value of things chosen well rather than often.  When a space is remodeled to stand the test of time, the effect on the lives of the people who live there is wonderful, and means more time with family, less time shopping and shipping!

Enjoy this before and after journey! If you’d like us to take a look at your space and see how we could make a transformation in your own home, please contact us.

Expanding the area that will become the kitchen.

More kitchen expansion

Kitchen coming together…

A complete, functional, beautiful kitchen!

A beautifully connected space allows for conversation.

Reconfiguring the guest bath

Fully functional and beautiful bath

The garden guest room now features a queen bed and twin trundle.  Plenty of space for everyone to get a good night’s rest!  We used durable, machine washable fabrics and a classic seagrass rug for a beachy look that will stand the test of time.

The space that will become the master bedroom.

We love the calm relaxing feel in this master bedroom.  There’s even a pull-out chair for little ones who need to be close.  Designing to stand the test of time means more than just the furnishings.  Our choice to add the white washed cedar planked ceiling is not only a beautiful look, it is resistant to moisture and bugs (It’s the tropics, after all!).

Soon-to-be master bathroom…

A modern vibe with a feeling of energy.  This tile makes us think of the sea with it’s wave like pattern and Caribbean turquoise color.


If you’re traveling with 4 kids you might want a quiet private spot for your morning coffee!

An ocean-front bedroom with fantastic outdoor space will appear soon…

I love this mix of colors and patterns.  It’s both classic and lively at the same time.  Sometimes when I tell other designers that I use Subrella fabrics for drapery and bedding I get some worried looks. In the island environment, the performance fabrics are the way to go, especially for rentals.  In this photo you’re looking at Sunbrella drapery, dust ruffle and headboard!  The rug is an indoor-outdoor too.  Technology has come such a long way now that the performance fibers really feel luxurious.

Texture, color and accessories come together to create island magic.

A guest bath with an easy-access closet.

Cool and calm, ready for guests!

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 Ways to Make Your Patio Pop

lagnappe January 24, 2019 Uncategorized 0

Having a great patio space is an asset in the islands, as it is not only somewhere with a great view, but it’s usually cooler as well. Anyone can create a backyard with a place to eat and drink, maybe an umbrella and a barbecue, but a space that looks great and makes you want to be there is on another level. Here are five ways to make your patio pop.

Create a Lookout

With a great view from every angle, why would you need to create a dedicated “viewing” area? By getting the best possible view and making that place cozy and secluded, you’re creating prime memory-making space. Who wouldn’t want a secluded spot on your property that you and the one you love spend a quiet moment each day? Make it comfortable and you won’t want to leave.

Take a Swing

The porch swing gets an upgrade with seating that literally floats on air. With a good rug and plenty of places for everyone to enjoy swaying to the breezes, elevated seating is a cool place to spend time outdoors.

A Chic Bar

Everybody loves a good happy hour, so why not make your patio the place to get one? A great bar is a fun way to entertain friends and family and a bar that looks as great as the drinks that come out of it is a major plus.

Be Shady

That’s right, be a little shady. Especially in the hot Caribbean sun, a good umbrella or awning is an asset to any patio or backyard. Invest in a great umbrella that really gives your space the shade you need to make the day comfortable, no matter the time.

Al Fresco Dining

Yes, anybody can put up a table and some chairs and it will still be a great time. But a really great dining area can turn a regular patio into an entertainment paradise. Choose a table that can seat a group that you’d normally have, but have options available for more intimate settings as well. Make the seating comfortable and inviting, and you have the perfect recipe for a good time.

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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Hiring an Interior Designer: What are the costs?

lagnappe September 16, 2018 Furnishings, Tips & Tricks, Uncategorized 0

One would think that decorating and designing your home would be an easy task. You know what you like, so how hard can it be, right? Once you start the design process – even for a single room – you find that there are many more details to consider than simply picking out paint and furniture.

From remodeling an entire kitchen or bath to a simple refresh of your master bedroom, good design is an art. A good interior designer can truly make your dream home come to life, and they do a lot more than you may first expect. Design isn’t free, however, but it can be well worth your time. Let’s take a look at a few ways an interior designer works and what they may charge for their services.

Concept Design

Even if you don’t have a designer

Creating A Budget

You may think you have a budget figured out, but chances are a designer will help you figure out what your dream bathroom will actually cost. In a sense, you’re paying someone to help you figure out what you’ll pay for a project, but this kind of service may actually pay off bigger in the long run. A bonus of this service would be that if you have a designer help you create a realistic budget, they are already on board for sticking to it if you choose to hire them to do more work.

Project Management

Many people struggle to find the time to begin a project, let alone seeing it through to completion. Paying an interior designer is a good way to alleviate some of that task burden since this is what they do all the time! Make sure you and the designer have an understanding of approximate costs associated with project management, so you’re not surprised with an unexpected number at the end of the project. That being said, don’t expect a designer to do this for free. If you’re not spending time on it, they are, so they should be paid for that time.

Styling and Staging

After the floors are finished and the walls have been painted, the furniture has been purchased and the art has been delivered, everything needs to find its place. Styling a home is often a favorite service of interior designers because it’s the “make everything look pretty” part of a project. Once the theme has been determined and all the pieces have been purchased, putting it all together can be a rather large task.

A designer has the know-how to create a cohesive space out of all of the pieces that you’ve accumulated in a way that doesn’t look cluttered. Hiring a designer to take on this part of a task can be an economical way to get a space looking great without a ton of renovation.

Cost

Most designers charge by the hour. This range can be anywhere from $50-200 per hour, but you can always ask if your designer would work out some other form of payment. Some designers offer a “menu” of services with different pricing levels depending on what you want and need. Good communication is key to ensure your designer has the skills to complete your project and that you work well together and they understand your vision.

Have a question about what Lagnappe can do or what your project may cost? Please contact us via email, call 340-643-7289 or make an appointment to visit us at the studio. We can’t wait to create something with 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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Style File: Parisian Art Deco

lagnappe July 11, 2018 Uncategorized 0

There are many design styles out there and most people aren’t familiar with the differences and nuances of each. Elements and pieces used in a design style can vary so much, but there are often hallmarks of a style that make it easy to recognize. Today we’re digging into a lesser-known style: Parisian Art Deco.

Some of the same Art Deco touches you may recognize, but the Parisian influence is strong and really changes up a room.

Luxurious fabrics: Everything about the Parisian art deco style feels expensive. Rich velvets, soft suedes and elegant linens are top choices for upholstery and accents in this style.
Graphic black and white: This classic combo really makes a space come alive! From a timeless striped pattern to a bold geometric wallpaper, black and white elements create drama.
Color story: While walls and floors are mostly neutral, choosing one or two pops of color really bring interest into the room. The colors can be soft or boldly vibrant, and are mostly incorporated via furniture or statement pieces.
Mirrors: One way this style is easily recognizable as art deco is with the use of mirrors. They are large and geometric and help add space light to a room. Their flashiness gives that signature art deco glitz and glam factor and make any space feel fancy.
Streamlined Furniture: In a departure from the rounded corners and ornate pieces of traditional art deco style, the Parisian style incorporates sleek furniture that still has curves.
Architectural lighting: from unique pendant lights to edgy chandeliers, lighting plays a big role in this design style. By using unexpected fixtures, the lighting becomes a bigger part of the story of the room.

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 Styling Tips for Small Spaces

lagnappe June 25, 2018 Uncategorized 0

A lot of questions come my way as an interior designer, and many of them are people that know they want to “do something” with their current space, but aren’t sure where to start. Of course white walls make a room feel bigger, but it can get boring really fast. In the end, it’s all about balance.

Whether you have a small room you’re wanting to spruce up or have just purchased your dream rental property that needs a makeover, these tips will make any space feel larger, lighter and on-trend.

Look Down

Yes, you read that right. Take a look at your floors. Many Caribbean homes rely on tile to keep things cool and make cleaning Sahara dust more manageable. And many people bought their homes with boring, beige or neutral tile in nearly every room. While supplies can be limited, it could be worth working with a trusted vendor to order some new flooring to island to really create a dramatic look. A darker floor paired with a lighter wall color can really open up a space.

Look up

The ceiling isn’t a place we spend a lot of time looking at, but what if we did? Going vertical automatically opens a room. Make sure your ceiling balances out your flooring and wall colors well, creating a cohesive space that doesn’t feel like the ceiling is caving in on you. Another great way to encourage drawing the eye up? Good lighting! And not just good lighting so you can see, but consider a statement piece so that even in a small room there’s already something to talk about.

Change the paint

Ok, it’s the most obvious answer, but it works. And we have even better news: not too many colors are off-limits! Of course, lighter colors help, but rich, dark shades make the space feel elegant and automatically make you pay attention to the other parts of the room.

Maximize

At first glance, you may be tempted to chose smaller pieces for walls and furniture. But the eye is easily tricked into thinking a space is bigger if the pieces are bigger! Choose a large, eye-catching work of art for a feature wall or a conversation-starting coffee table for instant style.

 

Minimize

In addition to making major pieces bigger, clutter will kill a small space. If you’ve been wanting to get rid of things, now’s the perfect time. Shedding material objects that sit on tables or take up space on bookcases or counters makes the room look smaller by making the eye think there is less space than there really is. If you missed Spring cleaning this year, it’s never too late!

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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Welcome to the Jungle: Bold Tropical Prints for Every Room

lagnappe May 30, 2018 Uncategorized 0

Nothing says “tropical” quite like a lush green landscape full of palms and banana leaves. And bringing the outdoors in is one of my favorite things to do as a designer! Bold wallpaper and fabrics printed with green leaves is popular right now, and these rooms may get your creative juices flowing about jazzing up a space in your home with a bold tropical print!

The kitchen is a great place to incorporate some tropical flair, even if it’s just with some spiffy linens. Especially if the kitchen is mostly a neutral color palette, green is a great energizing accent color.
Moving into the dining room, a tropical wallpaper makes this gathering space feel lush and exotic. Who wouldn’t want to attend a dinner party in this room? Statement pieces like the tulip table and dramatic chandelier add to the uniqueness of the room.
The bath is a perfect place for some green palm prints. Don’t worry that a smaller room will be overwhelmed by a punchy wallpaper, it can make a normally pretty boring space vibrant and alive.
Bring some zen into the bedroom with a fabric headboard and coordinating curtains.
Another corner of a bedroom or sitting area gets some color in a calm, neutral space.
Prints don’t have to be sunny, either. Darker tones make any room feel elegant and can allow for other pieces to take center stage.
Aren’t the outdoors green enough? Not when you have fabulous banana leaf printed patio furniture. This set is classically chic, with fun accents of bright orange and pink.
A sun room gets an upgrade with great furniture against a leafy background.
Wallpaper isn’t your only option to go bold. Artwork can anchor a space and provide great inspiration for other accents in a room.

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 Passion: Infusing Red into Home Design

lagnappe May 17, 2018 Uncategorized 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 Sun: Incorporating Yellow Into Your Home

lagnappe April 18, 2018 Furnishings, Uncategorized 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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Reflections on Hurricane Irma

lagnappe October 26, 2017 Uncategorized 0

Experiencing a hurricane is eye-opening and has a way of refocusing your life right before your eyes. When you live in the Caribbean you know that hurricanes are a factor. And in fact, every year we do”the drill” at least once.  All the porch furniture comes in, shutters up, supplies purchased etc. It sucks days out of your life to do and undo the preparations and for many years now we have grown very comfortable doing the drill and then the storm passes and for the most part it’s not a big deal. Hurricane Irma was different. At first we said, “it’s going to go north, it’ll turn”. Then she still didn’t turn, so we started buying plywood for more shutters, just in case, and complaining about the cost. By Labor Day it became obvious that the storm would be major and we began bagging all our irreplaceable items in double Hefty trash bags.  There is nothing like spending the day with your kid going through all your worldly possessions deciding what’s worthy of Hefty and what’s not to really make you focus on what is valuable in your world. In go the the baby books and wedding albums. Other novels and various items are left on the shelf…

 

Irma didn’t turn north, she barreled over the top of our beautiful island like the big bad wolf and destroyed homes, businesses and all that our community finds familiar in one fell swoop.  Overwhelmed doesn’t begin to describe what the next morning felt like; there are simply no words to waking up and knowing that it’s not possible that people were not killed.  The day after the storm was heartbreaking to see people walking down the road, looking, crying and wondering where to go or where their loved ones ended up. We were among the lucky ones, our family is fine; we are together, healthy, well cared for by friends and extended family. Our home is also ok, unbelievably fine.  Our business was another story but that too will sort out and be OK again.  We did not lose everything like many people we know did.

 

In the end, writing this now a little more than a month after Irma I can say that recovery will be a long process. We will be many months without power and good cell service and Wifi and all of those things that make modern life convenient and easy. Every day we have new challenges to solve but we solve them together, as a family and as a community. It is the “together” part that makes the experience cathartic. That is the value in this experience. We have been shaken out of our usual comfortable social circles. There are new, wonderful people in our lives; some we love have left, but we hope to see them again in better times. There is one hill in our neighborhood where we walk to get cell service each night as does the rest of the neighborhood. We are now talking with people every night whom we only ever exchanged a wave in the parking lot.

 

I’m not sure I can ever express how very thankful I am for all the friends and family who took care of us during and after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It’s a new spirit of sharing in this time. Without calling them all out by name here I can say there is a special bond with people you spend hours in with in a windowless room playing the game called “What do you think that noise was?!”  For the friends that got Megan and I over to Puerto Rico when we were so shellshocked, I am so grateful. For the overwhelming spirit in the community of reunion I am so grateful. We gave Megan (who is 13 and was born here on St. Thomas) the option to opt out and go to the states for the first half of the school year where life would be “normal” and she refused. She feels strongly that she needs to be an active part of the community and participate in the recovery, and that is the spirit that I see so much of around me. It will be a long road but we are a strong community and will rebuild better than ever. There are many meanings to being an island girl, some days it’s BBQ on the beach and others it’s scooping out the crab that washed into your shop with the tide… we’ll take it all.
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Powder Room-Perfect Coastal Sinks

lagnappe July 12, 2017 Uncategorized 0

If there’s anywhere in your home you can be a little more adventurous with your design choices, it’s in the powder room. This half bath is typically on the main floor and serves as a guest restroom and can be a really fun place to show off a bold style.

The sink is an often-overlooked element of design that can easily serve as a centerpiece of a powder room. While you may not want to see these throughout other baths in the home, they offer a lighthearted sense of whimsy and bring the ocean indoors.

via Overstock.com
  A literal interpretation, this clamshell pedestal sink is dainty and feminine.

 
Another great image of the sea creates a dramatic place to wash up with this bronze nautilus shell sink.

via Overstock.com
A frosty “seaglass” sink offers a more subtle, modern look.
The bathroom becomes a whale of a good time with this beautiful ocean-inspired sink (with a tail!).
This beautiful mosaic sink is elegant, and the starfish drain stop adds a luxurious touch of the sea.

We can help you design the perfect powder room! Drop us a line and lets create something great together.

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