Caribbean cruise provides ideas for home decorating

Photo by Mi-Ling Stone Poole

A few months ago, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. We took an eight-day, eastern Caribbean cruise to celebrate the milestone.

During our trip we visited San Juan, Puerto Rico; La Romana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Grand Turk; and Nassau, Bahamas.

While visiting each port, I was able to bring back a little design inspiration from each unique island.

San Juan has charm
San Juan was one of my favorite destinations. The town of Old San Juan is architecturally appealing with 16th-century Spanish buildings, many with porches and banisters that overlook the narrow cobblestone streets.

I had visited San Juan in 1992 but not much had really changed. The Spanish architecture, the warm rich colors of the ocean and the beautiful tiles with blue, orange and terra cotta would add beauty to a kitchen, bathroom, entryway or any outdoor space.

The island of St. Thomas was stunning and the people were warm and friendly. But aside from the wonderful jewelry stores, my favorite shop was Mr. Tablecloth, located in Charlotte Amalie, ranked as the finest linen store in the entire Caribbean by Froman’s travel guide.

I had never seen that many tablecloths in one store from all over the world. I couldn’t resist purchasing a linen tablecloth with handmade lace cutwork, which is a dying art form. This will be a show stopper at my next tea or garden party.

Decision not regretted
La Romana in the Dominican Republic was our next stop. Some folks took an hour excursion to Santo Domingo for the historic significance. But we chose to venture to the Casa de Campo Resort and Marina. On the way to the resort, we were treated to some beautiful homes with colorful stucco and tile roofs. But I was most impressed by the wonderful display of meats and cheeses in a neighborhood grocery store on the resort property.

Great colors seen
One visit to Grand Turk reminded me of why I love the thought of living on the ocean. The sand was pure white and the waters were cobalt blue. With depths of 7,000 feet, this island is a haven for experienced divers. I personally enjoyed seeing the beautiful pink bougainvillea bushes surrounding the beach and pillowing over the retainer walls.

Our last port was Nassau, Bahamas. This island brought back fond memories because we spent our honeymoon there 25 years ago. A lot has changed since our last visit, but the British colonial influence and colorful homes were still present. We took a short trip to Atlantis where we enjoyed spectacular views of the marina and the quaint shopping down on the wharf.

The hotel was exquisite. We were there during the holidays and the Christmas trees were decorated with large shells. Fish tanks and a large aquarium were located on the lower level alongside a restaurant. Hand-painted ceilings and marble floors filled the space. The furnishings were well appointed and oversized.

Now that we’re back home I’m trying to figure out how I can create an Atlantis look in my back yard and pool area and incorporate the Caribbean influence in my master suite and bathroom on a budget.

Now go out and create your own unique comfort zone!