Beach Theme Decorating Tips

When considering a new decorating theme for any room, there are 3 things you want to think about - the colours, the furniture and the accessories. Here are some tips on how to pull together a beach theme in your home using these 3 elements.

COLOUR
Any good beach decorating theme should tie in the colours of the beach. Sky and ocean blues, sandy tans and sunshine yellows look great. However, a white colour scheme accented with blue and yellow pillows and accessories can look wonderful too. One fun idea is to paint the ceiling a yellow; the walls a light blue and use tan coloured rugs.

FURNITURE
You want the furniture for your beach theme to be casual. Soft fluffy couches with slip covers are ideal and don't forget to include lots of pillows. You might also consider wicker but make sure it is sturdy enough for household furniture. If you are decorating a kitchen, whitewashed wooden kitchen tables and chairs go great with this theme.

ACCESSORIES
Here's where the fun starts! You can decorate with seashells, starfish and beach themed prints. Try buying some large shells and putting them on them mantle, coffee table and end tables. You might even consider shelving to show off your shell collection. The key is to plan your room out ahead of time and then you can spend a little time each day shopping for bargains as you put together your perfect beach themed room.

Lizard Island, Queensland, Australia

It begins with a special place. Your place - your own personal island retreat on the Great Barrier Reef.

Beautiful, natural and wild and the most northern Great Barrier Reef resort, Lizard Island is a place reserved for the fortunate few. The beaches are plentiful, 24 in all, with fine powdery white sand, undisturbed but for the occasional footprints. Your island is for snorkelling, if you choose, or deep-sea game fishing, or diving at The Cod Hole, one of the world famous dive sites just a short boat ride away. Enjoy secluded picnics on private beaches, five star cuisine and indulging spa treatments.

It’s for splendid accommodation - room for only a few but a choice between private villas, suites, or a pavilion. Watching the sunset on a day-bed overlooking the water, it’s easy to be lulled into the deep peace that comes with being in your own beautiful world on Lizard Island.

Little wonder your island consistently makes the Top 10 Hotels of the World list.

View Of The Day

Belles Rives Hotel, Cote d'Azur, France

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

Southern Ocean Lodge is Australia's first true luxury lodge, offering a unique and exclusive travel experience on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Floating atop a secluded cliff on a rugged stretch of coast, the lodge commands peerless views of the wild Southern Ocean and pristine Kangaroo Island wilderness. Sensitive, intimate and sophisticated, Southern Ocean Lodge is a sanctuary of refined comfort and luxe, Kangaroo Island style.

Located at Hanson bay on the Island's south west coast, the Lodge site adjoins both the Flinders Chase and Cape Bouguer / Kelly Hill National Parks. Set back from a cliff above the pounding surf the sensitive design showcases a full frontal panorama and is within easy reach of all of Kangaroo Island's major attractions.

Its location, stunning views, contemporary environmental design, locally sourced food and beverages, personalised interpretative activities and modern wellness spa ensures its status as a South Australian icon.

Escape to Paradise in the media...

Tropical North Queensland Profile Magazine - August 2011

Giftrap Magazine - July/August 2011

Home & Giving Magazine - August 2011

Home Beautiful Magazine Cover - 2011

Real Living Magazine Cover - 2011

Caring For Your Cushions...

We have had a number of customers ask about the best way to care for their Escape to Paradise cushions. Here are some handy hints:

• Avoid rubbing sharp objects onto the fabric that could pull or damage the material

• If the cover becomes dirty preferably give it a cold hand wash, otherwise a gentle machine wash

• Wash the cover inside out, without other items that may have buttons, zips, or sharp ends that could damage the fabric.

• Drip Dry away from direct sunlight

• Do not soak, bleach, wring, tumble dry or dry clean your cushion

View Of The Day

Scrub Island, British Virgin Islands

Spring is Here!

Spring is finally here so now is the perfect time to start planning your Spring decorating ideas.

Here are 10 hot spring décor ideas and tips for your home that won’t cost you a bundle:

1. Clean out that clutter!
This is a great time to clean out the clutter that has been collecting over the past few months. Open up the drapes, get some sunshine in your room and clean out all that extra stuff that’s lying around.

2. Clean up your front!
Take this time to clean out the front doorstep and make it more inviting for people. Sweep the stoop, dust out the mats, clean the windows, etc.

3. Bring on the green!
Now is time to get rid of those old dusty silk plants and flowers and bring out some fresh flowers, greenery and lively plants. Spring is a great time for brightening up the home.

4. Clean out the fireplace!
If you have a fireplace that you’ve been using all winter, now is a great time to clean it out. Even if you still need to use it on a few chilly nights, it’s still a great idea to clean out all those old ashes and soot now.

5. Redo your rugs!
If you have rugs throughout your home, this may be a great chance to switch them out for spring or summer rugs. If you don’t have any to switch out, try moving them to different rooms throughout your home for a fresher look and also be sure to clean them properly and remove any dust build up.

6. Let in the light!
This is a great time to begin opening your shades and window coverings, cleaning your windows, using sheer curtains and finding other ways of letting that great spring sunshine into your home.

7. Clean your fans!
If you have ceiling fans in your home, take time to clean and dust them properly, including lights and fixtures, and change the direction in which your fans are blowing.

8. Create a window box!
Another great craft/décor idea is to create a lovely springtime window box for display. It’s fun to do and it looks great.

9. Spring scents!
Remember that a clean-smelling home is all the more inviting. Instead of wasting money on sprays and other products designed to make your home smell better, create your own spring scents. Try a simmering pot of cloves and cinnamon or dried flower leaves to give your entire home a great scent.

10. Check your accessories!
Look around your home at your wall décor and other accessories. This is a great time to revamp the décor look in your home by changing some simple accessories to more spring-like designs, colours and patterns. Escape to Paradise cushions are perfect to add some colour to your home.