Bathing Beauties

I know it has been hot, and I think people like to comment on the heat because saying the words “it’s hot” works like a valve on a pressure cooker. The heat becomes a little easier to handle when we release a bit of that pressure by acknowledging it out loud. One of the beautiful things about living in The Villages is that you can always escape the heat because everyone has access to a pool in one way or another. The Orange Blossom Hills country club is my favorite pool. It feels reminiscent of West Palm Beach from days gone by. The waterfall and the grotto below carry a vintage charm that brings to mind a time of carefree leisurely afternoons spent worshipping the sun. Those afternoons were elegant and best enjoyed while sipping martinis by the pool as Sinatra crooned about playing among the stars. Bathing beauties wore swim dresses, and when they were done swimming, the women would retreat to their cabanas and relax in Lily Pulitzer coverups. I was not alive in those days, but the Slim Aarons photographs make it seem like they were some of the best of times. In the world of decorating, it felt like great fun to create a room that pays homage to those bathing beauties of the past. Let’s peek into the guest room of a Gardenia model to see how bathing beauties still beat the heat somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Wall Color
The room received a fresh coat of paint, and the homeowner chose Rain-washed 6211. It is a soft blue with a green undertone. When it first goes on the wall it can look almost green, but once it dries it settles into a calm, airy blue. It is one of those rare colors that behaves like a neutral, pairing easily with anything on the color spectrum because it never overwhelms the space.

  •  Mirrors
The use of mirrors in a small room instantly makes everything feel larger and brighter. We used five mirrors in this space, starting with the two above the nightstands. These mirrors are the same width as the nightstands and taller than the headboard. They are hung just two inches above the tops of the nightstands, so they feel visually connected to the furniture. I love the way they catch the lamp light and send it back into the room. At night the space has a soft glow that feels warm and inviting. The mirrors also reflect the back of the lamp and the décor on the nightstands. The little bathing beauty statues appear in three dimensions with a single glance, and the effect is captivating.

  •  More mirrors
The second set of mirrors is on the wall opposite the window. It is a large wall with a high ceiling peak, so we installed three 37-inch round mirrors to give it presence. These mirrors add light, interest, and a surprising amount of function. During the day they reflect the natural light from the window back into the room, making the space feel brighter. They also serve as a convenient spot for makeup or hair styling when the bathroom is in high demand during family visits.

  •  Bench
We placed a woven sisal bench beneath the mirrors so guests would have a convenient spot to set their luggage. It also works beautifully as a surface for hair and makeup, essentials if someone prefers getting ready in the bedroom while the bathroom is busy. And of course, the bench is always helpful when someone needs a comfortable place to sit while putting on their shoes.

  •  Art Over the Bed
We chose a peaceful beach scene to hang over the bed so the room would feel calm and restful. The picture originally came with a gray frame that didn’t do the photograph justice, so we painted the frame black to create visual continuity with the black mirror frames. Once the frame turned black everything fell into place, and the pieces blended to form a strong, cohesive focal point.

  •  Art on the Side Wall
The large side wall of this room is visible the moment you enter and even as you walk past, so it needed something with presence. We found a bathing beauty on canvas framed in a black floating frame. She looks lovely in her coral bathing suit, sitting on a blue towel in the sand and gazing out toward the ocean. The artwork stands out beautifully on the wall and gives the room a memorable statement.

  •  Art on the Small Wall
We found another bathing beauty picture of a girl jumping into the pool and we hung that picture on the wall between the entry door and the closet. This picture can be seen reflected in the mirror over the side table. Everywhere you look there are glimpses of bathing beauties in this space.

  •  Bedding
The bedding brings together all the colors in the room in a soft, welcoming way. We started with a white coverlet for guests to use when they sleep. Against the headboard we added two coral Euro pillows in a 26-inch square size, which bring a cheerful pop of color. In front of the Euros, we placed two queen-size pillows that match the second coverlet. That matching coverlet is folded back so both patterns are visible, and the white coverlet stands out beautifully against the surrounding colors. The coverlet and pillows nod to the bright, playful palette of Lilly Pulitzer, the iconic West Palm Beach designer. And for a final flourish, we added a bold flamingo pillow that ties the whole look together with a bit of fun.

  •  Lamps
The lamps are tall with a rich royal blue glazed finish that brings a beautiful depth to the room. Each lamp has a three-way bulb up to 150 watts, giving guests plenty of light if they want to read. The royal blue ties back to the bedding, and we loved how repeating that color helped pull the entire space together.

  •  Indigo Rug
We installed an eight by ten-foot rug in this space because the color looked amazing. The rug is made of natural sisal, a durable grass fiber, and then dyed in a deep indigo. That rich color grounds the room and pulls out the darker tones in the coverlet, giving the entire space a stronger sense of depth and cohesion.
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Before and After Images Below