Bring the ambiance of "The White Lotus" into your home
/Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press/USA Today Network
What happens when rich, privileged Americans who behave badly, take a vacation to a resort (where they create havoc) a world away in a magical and exotic setting in Thailand?
The result is HBO’s “The White Lotus” Season 3.
If you’ve seen it, you know that the despite a winning cast, the real star of the show is the interior décor.
Bring some of the exotic décor from season 3 of “the White Lotus” into your home with a moody, muted wall mural, Thrilling Tropics, with all of the elements of tranquility and lushness of the jungle setting in Thailand. Coconut palms, monkeys and bohemian vibes. Photo: BaubauWall. Source: baubauwall.com/product/wall-mural-thrilling-tropics
And I am obsessed.
As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, from the first episode I could see how the décor would work perfectly in our homes and if you look around, you will likely notice that you already have some of the elements that steal the show.
Despite the minute-by-minute drama, episode 3 takes place in a serene, laid back, dreamlike, gorgeous setting at the Four Seasons Koh Samui, Thailand, aka “The White Lotus.” With the lush jungle landscape as a backdrop, we soon come to realize that a lot is hiding beneath the surface here and with our American tourists. There is much to unpack.
Despite the winning cast of “The White Lotus” season 3, the real star is the décor. If you came away from the last episode wanting more of the series and more of Thailand, you aren’t alone. A beautiful rattan accent chair is one way to bring a bit of the ambiance into your home. This curved pebble rattan accent chair is by Coastal Living by Universal Furniture. Photo: Coastal Living by Universal Furniture
And those monkeys. Always watching. From the trees and from the décor in wallcoverings, murals and silk prints. Mischievous, unpredictable and intelligent, they are both feared and revered in Thailand. They are always lurking around in the background waiting for something to happen. And it always does. Shown below: “Monkey Business” with foliage against a dark blue background by Clarke & Clarke. Photo: Clarke & Clarke/Kravet
So, if like me, you made it to the shocking ending of “The White Lotus” wanting more of the décor and more of Thailand, here are a few tips to help you easily bring the ambiance of “The White Lotus” into our already beautiful tropical paradise.
Summary
The interiors are dark and moody, like the show.
Rooms are filled with tropical luxury.
The focal point is the outdoors, not the TV.
Coconut palms and bohemian vibes.
Tranquility is the theme.
Saturate or color drench a room with deep greens or jewel tones. Shown: William and Sonoma Home’s large tufted leather ottoman and a sisal rug. Photo: Williams and Sonoma Home.
Bring a little White Lotus into your home
Select a couple of the décor elements below that work best for your home and make it your white lotus look. For more photos, please visit my website at www.spectacularspaces.com/blog
• Color palette of deep blue-greens (color drenching would enhance this look). Also burnt orange, yellows, sand, teal.
• Nothing says the tropics more than an elegant rattan chair or two. Or rattan lounge or daybed. The architect/designer of “The White Lotus” says that the best rooms are the ones that have found the “sweet spot between the indoors and the gardens.”
• Include a vintage piece or an antique in the furnishings mix.
Escape and find a hint of “The White Lotus” for your home: Dark woods, muted tones, antique table, palms and a chaise. Photo: Benjamin Moore
• Bring in lots of foliage, “bird of paradise,” orchids, fiddle leaf figs.
• Palm trees and poolside cocktails with elegant glasses, lacquer trays, cloth cocktail napkins.
• Hand carved wooden screen or door. Teak dining table.
• Think big with large pendant lighting and oversized lamps with print lampshades.
• Invest in a set of crisp white sheets and pillow coverings. Pull comforter back or use a deep blue-green throw.
• Lots of bars. Can be a cart or the end of a kitchen island or on a small table. They set the scene for laid back luxury. And fun.
• Tropical prints in fabrics, wallpaper, framed wall hangings.
• Monkeys. You must have at least one monkey someplace. A lamp, table or in a wallcovering.
• Outdoor lighting: lanterns, candles, in the trees outside.
This stunning antique carved door from Mogul Interiors or as a carved screen adds just a right amount of drama if you want to bring a piece of “The White Lotus” home to hold you over until season 4! Photo: Mogul Interiors.
• Add a scent. There are lots of white lotus candles on the market and try something that reminds you of a spa. Juniper berry in a diffuser??
• Handcrafts. Stoneware. A hammock.
• Tropical print cushions and pillows.
• Woven rugs and tapestries. Linen window treatments.
Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate. As a writer, blogger, stylist and color expert, she has helped homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless ways to create beautiful spaces and to solve decorating problems. Her articles appear the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit spectacularspaces.com. Call 239-850-5800 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog
