Integrated Inheritance

Many homes in The Villages come furnished, and while homeowners may not have hand-selected every piece, certain items are simply too timeless and expensive to let go. This week’s featured homeowners embraced that philosophy, choosing to keep select furnishings from the Tommy Bahama Kingston Collection which are beautifully crafted pieces that bring richness and character to their space. Inspired by classic British Colonial design with campaign influences and a touch of safari, this collection strikes the perfect balance between elegance and comfort. The challenge for this space was integrating dark, sophisticated wood tones into a bright, airy aesthetic to create a seamless blend of tradition and freshness. Let’s peek inside this Lantana model, now transformed into a welcoming sanctuary somewhere in the heart of The Villages.

  •  Focal wall
The armoire (with TV inside) was placed on the focal wall creating a visual anchor in the space. We added a seven-foot travelers palm in a woven seagrass basket behind the chair in the left corner to fill the space and bring in tropical island charm. We placed two hurricane wall scones on the right side of the armoire to provide balance with the tree and candlelight at night. The candles run on batteries and look real! Below the hurricane sconces we placed a large woven basket that is big enough to hold the pillows from the couch when the couch is in use.

  •  Rug
We placed a large 8’x10’ rug in the space and it added a pop of navy blue to the floor. The navy-blue rug looks great with the black touches in the space. Also, the rug is dark and will be very forgiving with dirt.

  •  Couches
The couch and the chairs came with the house, and they look great in the space. We added pillows to tie into the navy color of the rug.

  •  New coffee table and side tables
The room needed all new side tables and a coffee table. The tables needed to have a touch of black yet remain light in the space. We chose Iron black tables with clear glass. This simple line worked well with the existing furniture.

  •  Lamps
The lamps are amazing! They are classic regency bamboo in a soft neutral blue with gold on the top and the bottom of the bamboo stem. A touch of the regency era provides an elegant island vibe.

  •  Ginger Jars
Blue and white ginger jars were prevalent on the islands. The ginger jars were used to contain spices for transport and containment at their destination. We paid homage to that era by placing a collection of four blue and white ginger jars on top of the armoire. We could have place six tightly for a very decadent look. When it comes to blue and white ginger jars, more is more.

  •  China Cabinet
The China cabinet has a mirrored background which is beautiful, but we needed the crystal inside the cabinet to pop. The way to make the crystal pop is to add color to the back of the cabinet. We purchased plates that were blue with what looked like an inlaid shell. They look very expensive and the blue and white stands out, inside the cabinet.

  •  Faux Coral
We chose two large pieces of faux coral on black stands to adorn the top of the China hutch. The pop of white draws the eye upward and a touch of coral is always welcome in an island look.

  •  Art
Two large watercolor birds adorn the walls on each side of the China hutch. The blues in the pictures and the depiction of birds always works well in an Island look.

  •  Two large mirrors
The two large mirrors on the back wall of the dining room reflect all the light from the sliding glass doors back into the space. Mirrors always brighten the Lantana dining room and do not compete with the beautiful art. These mirrors also were left with the house.

  •  Table runner and bowl
The table runner is white and navy blue. It makes a great casual statement and stands out in contrast to the dark finish on the table. Finally, we placed a large blue and white bowl on the table to complete the look. The homeowner loves fresh flowers and will set them in the bowl for a centerpiece whenever the mood strikes her. The large glass bowl is pretty with a purpose, and it looks good with or without flowers.
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