Castleton Iron Bedstead from The Original Bedstead Company.

FOR ANY HOMEMAKER contemplating a room makeover, Tropical Chic may not be the first decorative style that rushes to mind.

In many ways, this is a shame because, when executed with flair and imagination, the tropical chic style can be exotic and traditional in equal measure and is guaranteed to bring a good measure of warmth and glamour to the average home. By careful use of restful organic colours, natural textural elements and bold jungle themes, it is a style that has fresh emotive appeal with pleasingly familiar traditional overtones.

This is most definitely not the multi-coloured jungle look that you might choose for a child’s room. Instead it might be defined as a “lush minimalism” since it mixes lots of texture and intricate pattern with simple details and a few large accessories for visual impact such as stylised palm trees, large leafed banana plants, animal prints, natural rattan and worn leather.

Most often found in family rooms, the look can nevertheless be easily adapted for bathrooms and restful bedrooms as well. In any room elements of the tropical chic look or a full transformation can be hugely successful, but should always include comfortable upholstered or leather furniture to create an inviting aura. Long horizontal lines on wall detailing and in the furniture style underscore a casual look and help create a restful mood, whilst taller elements such as plants, screens and artwork provide contrast on a grander scale.

For colours, any neutral tones are the best way to go and pale yellows, beige, camel, tan, ivories and deep browns all play an important part within a tropical themed room. Likewise, green in all its varied hues is a major element with accents of brown, black or muted reds. A natural earthy colour palette is the intention here, which offers great scope for an assured approach to selection of furniture and accessories. Within our leafy tropical bedroom or guest room, we’d choose some furniture pieces, large in scale and selected for comfort and utility. Accent pieces in wicker and bamboo are clearly; eminently perfect for our theme as are metal accessories and iron.

In antique tan finish an earthy coloured Castleton iron bedstead is just one Iron Bed that might prove to be the perfect centrepiece for the tropical chic bedroom, or perhaps an Athalone iron bedstead in glamorous bronze patina to complement the exotic mood and provide an extra splash of visual drama?

Whatever the choice, fabrics and bed throws should be soft and plush. Neutral solid chenille are ideal for the major upholstered pieces and pillows, ottomans, chairs and footstools lend themselves well to materials of leaf designs and jungle prints. Stripy animal prints on rugs on bed throws add verve and intrigue but should be used in moderation as accent accessories only if overkill is to be avoided.

Zebra print and leopard spot rugs and runners on dark wood flooring look fabulous in the tropical room and likewise, dark wooden furniture adds weight and class to the design in the form of bedside tables, coffers, lamps and decorative carvings.

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Emyvale Iron Bed from Original Bedstead Company

Any home that takes decorative inspiration from the architecture and atmosphere of Tuscany, is influenced by the elements of nature.

Sun washed hillsides that offer home to rustic stone farmhouses with crumbling stone walls, marble flooring, heavy hardwood furniture and wrought iron detailing, hint at just some of the characteristics of this Italian decorative style. The universal appeal of this peaceful and timeless setting ensures that elements of the look are increasingly popular for today’s interiors.

Ultimately, simplicity is the key here and without any suggestion of pretence, the harmonious combination of worn and comfortable furnishings and sympathetic detailing and colour, creates a room that is instantly warm and inviting.

As long ago as Roman times, people had moved to the hills of central Italy to escape from city life and embrace the idealised culture of the country. They enjoyed the attraction and beauty of nature and instinctively incorporated these elements into their homes. These very same elements are what makes Tuscan influenced decorating so appealing for use in a more modern era.

Using the natural materials to be found in this area of Italy, the Tuscan home is built of sandstone or limestone in a wide variety of hues. Marble is used extensively and used for decorative details and flooring and arches. Homes here exhibit an enduring timeless quality and look solid and substantial. Terracotta roof tiles are seen everywhere in the area as are rustic wooden shutters to keep out the heat of the midday sun and retain warmth during the winter months. Both should be considered for any home or feature where the Tuscan style is desired. Using materials that stand the test of time, the look should always be one of inviting rustic warmth. Any feature or accessory that is shiny and new has no place here.

And for interiors the same rules apply. Simplicity is key with marble or rustic wooden flooring softened by a few scattered faded rugs and soft throws and accessories.

Wrought iron detailing and deep set window frames compliment the look, and within the master or guest bedroom dark wood furniture might just work perfectly with an old Iron Beds or simple Wood Beds to form the centrepiece and inspiration for the rest of the room.

Emyvale beds to set the mood perhaps?

Admittedly not an antique but in antique bronze finish and simple elegant lines, more than just a little in keeping with the terracotta warmth and rustic detail that personifies Tuscan style. The secret for an effective Tuscan styled interior is to bring the outside, in. Woods, stone and colours are all important elements and natural stone walls are best left natural.

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