Hello sorry I skipped blogging last week. I got a little busy with things and I have to motivate myself in the summer to sit down and write. I am loving being out a bit and this summer feels like a vacation itself compared to last year..
In the vacation mindset, I have been keeping Hawaii in my thoughts since coming home from the Big Island. Being in Hawaii to me is a total exhale. Something about the flowers, the scents and the soft air just hit mew as soon as I am off the plane. Cue the Hawaiian music and I am transported even when I am home, so I like to keep the feeling going. When I return from Hawaii, I add a few souvenirs from my trip to the house. This time it was some necklaces and some ideas for bedding…Maybe it’s because of my trip, but I’ve noticed a whole lot of home accents with a Hawaiian feel. Below a few ideas to give your home some island zen for the summer!
Without buying a thing, focus on natural elements like rattan chairs, woven baskets, shells, coral and anything with a tropical leaf in it. I love an entry in summer with hats, straw totes and big baskets. Bringing in some tropical trees and plants from your local nursery is another way to make it feel like you’re on island time. A great resource for all things woven is World Market.
Here’s a few photos from spots in my home where I upped the Hawaiian feel..
I had a few Kukui nut necklaces they give you when you arrive at a hotel and I wanted to use them. I also have a long Acacia Wood centerpiece bowl from Crate & Barrel that needed something.
We have collected coral over the years from travels and have a few pieces. I thought the coral pieces, with air plants and the Kukui nut necklaces looked summery. You could try this at home if you have some of those saved necklaces from Hawaii, or wooden beads (also here) and things collected like shells, etc from past travels. I just like the idea of bringing a tropical vibe in this time of year. The blue table throw is a season’s past Pottery Barn one, but you can find similar Shibori cloth from Etsy
Our rental had this pretty blue ginger jar with Kukui nut necklaces strewn on it. Kind of fun so I tried the same here at home on my big grey ginger jar, but I need some of the other color Kukui nuts. They have more colors at this Hawaiian Etsy shop here.
Did you know Hawaiians consider the Kukui tree a canoe plant because they came over with the Polynesians originally in canoes? I love those kind of factoids. By the way, the lovely jars from my rental came from Williams Sonoma I think..and some good ones here too.
I think I need more nuts and more colors!
The other thing I fell in love with in Hawaii were matelasse bed covers that were on all the beds at our rental. I loved the feminine look, easy light feel for summer and I wanted them for all the beds when I came home.
I have yet to find the same that were on the beds there, but I noticed two places have similar ones..Pottery Barn has a lovely one that is actually Hawaiian inspired called the Lilo Quilt...In white and also a pretty grey blue, they are hand-stitched. SO perfect for a summer bed.
Serena & Lily has the adorable scalloped Baywood Quilt. It comes in a navy and light blue. Also hand-stiched and eco cotton.
There is also this quilt with a dove.. from the Jungalow pieces at Target..
This is mine right now-with a mix of Matelasse pillows and a too small quilt I had.. I am deciding which of these quilts to buy and will give this quilt to my son for summer.
For authentically made Hawaiian quilts, Etsy is a great go-to. Like this shop that makes Hawaiian quilts, and are this with darling pillows and rainbow banners, and this is not quilts, but carries lovely totes made in Hawaii too.
While pursuing the Pottery Barn site this oversized pillow caught my eye. Love this large pillow with a leaf motif that goes with the Lilo pieces above.
I thought about the dark leaf pillow a lot for my white sofa. I’ve needed some punch on it. I was at the mall and ran into Pottery Barn to see it and person and ended up taking it home. I like the island look of it and the hand stitched appliqué . The all white pillow is also pretty if you’re going for that all-white bed look. Don’t forget you need the insert for these pillows too.
I added my fringe pillow from Target in here. I think anything with a little fringe or tassel evokes Hawaii too.
Target has the new Jungalow collection and these Fringe Cotton Percale Sheets have an island look.
On the pillow topic, when I am in the Big Island one place I always make a stop at is SOHA Living for Hawaiian inspired pillows, decor and gifts. I have many pillows from them and some of the coolest right now are the Tropical Leaves Pillow , the Kukui Nut Pillow, and Plumerias on Blue, but there are so many you have to look at the whole collection! All beautifully made.
I also spotted this Handwoven Jute Table Lamp from West Elm has that island feel to it..
Anything with a bamboo feel or shape can bring a Hawaiian vibe in. The Serena & Lily Halsey Lamp has always been on my radar with it’s bamboo look and an als most retro Hawaiian vibe. Serena & Lily has a whole collection of rattan pieces from lighting to chairs and cute tables.
Also cute is this bamboo flatware from Pottery Barn! So nice to have a set for summer entertaining.
If your looking for art, there are some good things to be found on Etsy. Trendtex is Hawaii’s leading fabric wholesaler and they have an Etsy shop with some cool prints like this one below..
I also love this set of Protea Prints.. Wouldn’t these be pretty on a grasscloth wall? The Protea is one of my favorite flowers..
When you travel, it can be great to get art. There are many artists and galleries galore in the islands.. If you cannot get there, there are many galleries online. One is Maui Hands – so many kinds of art here.
You can also have a bouquet called Summer in Hawaii delivered to you from Williams Sonoma! It’s quite pretty and would be lovely for a centerpiece if you are having a Hawaiian themed party or luau.
At our rental, the owners had Malie products – the soaps, lotions and shampoos and they were very luxe and had the softest scent. I just bought a hand wash for my own bathroom and I think I’ll be ordering the shampoo and the soap. They are headquartered in Kauai and there are skin products as well. I also love the Mango shampoo, a very luxurious and subtly scented treat! This will bring the islands to your home!
Lastly, I have a fun cookbook for you. Cook Real Hawaii is a beautiful book filled with wonderful recipes that reflect the diversity that is Hawaii. I loved the story of Sheldon’s journey from cooking in his yard with his dad to creating menus at noodle shops, neighborhood sandwich shops to the best restaurants and then Top Chef. I can’t wait to try some of these, especially the noodle dishes. If you love Hawaii and the culture, this book is a treat.
May you all have a little Hawaiian spirit and island vibe in your summer!
Kim
A few other things to get the Hawaiian feel…
Sage Floral Napkins, Round Gray Wipe Off Placemats, Natural Seagrass Belly Basket, Bungalow Rose Ginger Jar, Boater Hat, Brush Stroke Napkins,
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