linen closet love

palma + coral reef

with autumn approaching, now is the time to stock up on island style bedding as the big boys clear out their summer inventory. if you love a good sale then check out the clearance sale at garnet hill which means savings of at least 50% off on a few things that would definitely add a splash of the aloha spirit to your home.

surfboards doormat

coral reef doormat

bedding is an easy way to add a pop of color to your bedroom and wouldn't these coconut husk doormats be a happy way to greet your guests at the front door?

hawaiian style rugs

fish school

i am loving this whimsical rug spotted in the local artists collection at hanalei bay designs and the colorful zoom (featured below) which reminds me of maori tattoos.

in addition to collaborating with artists from hawaii, the company also works with artisans in nepal who hand-knot the designs for each rug in the traditional tibetan weaving technique. it's a time consuming process which would take one artisan three months to create a 6x9 rug (no worries, they work in teams so it's not quite as time intensive).

zoom

you can check out hanalei bay designs at details gallery in chinatown, at their showrooms in maui and kauai, and at the occasional costco roadshow around the islands.

modern tropical getaway

big island home searching for nice modernists dreaming of spending their island getaway somewhere with good lines and thoughtful design during their next trip to hawaii. well, at least that's how i think it would sound if there was such a thing as architecture/design junkie matchmaking ads.

summer may be coming to an end but if you're planning a trip during the popular winter season it's time to get your vacation plans in order. we all know a nice place to stay can be hard to find so why not ditch the questionable attempts at hawaiian design that are so prevalent in the hit or miss world of vacation rentals?

spend a few nights at hale balleja, a modern vacation rental designed by architect craig steely, and discover if you are the modern type. even if it ends up not being your thing, you'll get to enjoy an ocean view without paying resort prices or surrounded by a stranger's outdated notion of island decor.

paging dr. jacoby

i'll be the first to admit that the hawaiian sunset wall mural available at urban outfitters is not for everyone, but since this retro take on the accent wall reminds me of the island inspired office of one dr. jacoby, resident of the quirky tv town, twin peaks (aka the best show ever), up it goes.

the folks at urban outfitters must agree with me that it would be overkill in a hawaii home since they don't ship it to the islands, but you may be able to pull it off if your mainland home has a kitschy or modern vibe.

let's get this luau started

anytime is a good time for a luau in hawaii, but if you're planning one on the mainland it can be tricky to find everything you need to throw the perfect bash. you're on your own to gather the ti leaves and to rustle up a pig, but head straight to the source at hawaiian luau party supply to stock up on all the kitschy decorations that your guests are expecting.

don't forget to add a few unexpected touches like these hand printed wood grain party invitations & vintage poster prints to set the mood.