Live like a tropical
Achieve tropical style like a local, plus a sexy playlist for balmy evenings, some stiff cocktail recipes and a spicy guide to keeping cool...
Up north, days are warm and sunny, the sunsets dramatic, evenings balmy, and life has a vibrancy unlike many other places.
Tropical weather with its dramatic vigour motivates tropical design. Homes are designed for the natural environment where water, greenery and breathable fabrics provide a canvas for relaxed entertaining when the temperature heats up.
Hit play on this Spanish guitar classic playlist to set the mood as you read on..
**No-pressure notice, but if you enjoy NORTH as a free subscriber, you may like some VIP access as a paying subscriber. It’s the equivalent of a coffee for monthly access, or a bottle of vino for annual - and it may even be a tax deduction for some!
Paid subscriptions support writers to create more insightful content and reach more people. Whichever way you choose to access NORTH, I really appreciate you being here. Many thanks, Bel.
Homes and buildings in the tropics tend to be designed with good air flow, indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly interconnect and furnishings are light, with greenery maximized.
Some of the best tropical designs can be seen in architecture from pre-Cyclone Tracey Darwin, far North Queensland homes in Cairns and Townsville, Broome’s Chinatown, and throughout the Indo Pacific.
Sitting on a veranda in the late balmy afternoon, the sky bursting with colour, a refreshing cocktail, birds singing and the garden thriving is incredibly magical and for me… the epitome of wellness and luxury.
To achieve a tropical vibe that’s inspired by the Australian top end and South East Asia, incorporate some of these elements into your space.
Lounging
Day beds are in most tropical homes. They live under a fan on a veranda, and will comfortably allow for a myriad of activities like drinking tea, reading the newspaper, chatting for hours, taking naps, eating, entertaining – honestly they are the furniture overachievers.
Cane is light, amazingly comfortable and very practical for tropical living. In our climate heavy furniture and fabrics are not friends with humidity. Mix different series of cane chairs, settees and side tables for interest.
Fabric and cool surfaces
Muslin and linen are great fabrics to use for curtains and easy to wash and maintain, especially in the wet season. The light will shine through these fabrics but without the sun’s harshness, allowing breezes to breeze in. It’s very calming to watch this fabric dance in the wind. Include bright prints for cushions and throws to add character.
Polished concrete, tiles and timber provide durable and cooling floor, wall and benchtop options throughout the interior and exterior of homes.
Lighting
In the tropics lighting needs to be warm and soft. Harsh bright lights attract insects, so dimmable downlights and lamps are less tempting to the disco seeking bugs - inside and outside the home.
Greenery
Plants in the tropics are spectacular. They are vibrant, abundant and so easy to grow. Many will easily adapt to living inside, like palms and monstera, nad plants will help purify the air. Varieties of gingers and heliconas provide great cut flowers and will give your garden colour for most of the year.
Water
When it’s hot the best way to cool down is to sit in water, and of course drink it. In fact you should have a glass of water right now!
A shower is ok, but the best is a pool or bath. A claw foot bath tub stands proudly in my garden and it’s tranquil to soak a tired or hot body in. I also have a plunge pool which we are always dipping in and out of. If I return from shopping I’m in it, late at night, after dinner, before breakfast – truly I’m in and out of it at some point during most day and nights.
Stiff drinks as the sun drops
Spicy margarita - in a cocktail shaker mix over ice, 2 shots tequila, 1 shot triple sec or Cointreau, 1 shot fresh lime juice. Serve in chilled glass, rimmed in salt and chili flakes and top with a jalapeño.
Lychee martini - in a cocktail shaker mix over ice, 2 shots vodka, 2 shots lychee juice and a splash of dry vermouth. Service in a chilled martini glass and top with a skewered lychee.
3 spicy tips to staying cool in the tropics
Eat spicy foods 🌶 When you’re hot, sweating cools your body temperature down, which is why eating spicy foods is so popular in tropical regions.
Folding fans - a quick flick of your wrist and instant coolness. Get stylish versions inspired by the Pacific, South East Asia and Japan.
Wear less - strip down, wear sarongs and light fabrics, swim and sleep naked. It’s hot so don’t over complicate things.
Until next time, Bel 🐊
