Traditional Bajan touches and a seaside palette set the scene for a laid-back Caribbean feast.

Homeowner and designer Colette van den Thillart chose to play up the beachy vibe in the dining room of her Barbados vacation home. Green-striped slipcovers over teak furniture complement the lush greenery outside and a white ceiling and drapes make the space feel fresh. The gingerbreading is a traditional detail on island houses.

Find more inspiration in our photo galleries of Warm-Weather Vacation Homes and Suzanne Dimma’s Favourite Dreamy Retreats.

Vibrant decor inspired by the Caribbean.

A punchy coral slipcovered sofa and shell-pink coffee table is a nod to the home’s warm, tropical locale. Trellis-patterned fabric and wicker furniture lend an outdoor vibe that makes the space livable. The jute rug tempers the pink, steering the room away from feminine territory.

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A tranquil spot for an afternoon siesta.

This exquisite outdoor living room uses durable furnishings like a wicker sofa and chair. A white, green and tobacco palette echo the natural landscape beyond the white gauzy curtains. A travertine floor continues inside, connecting the two spaces.

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An island-inspired bedroom with glam touches.

“I wanted a glam shack — the romantic idea of the room on the beach and the Robinson Crusoe fantasy,” says homeowner Colette van den Thillart of the bedroom in her Barbados home. High-gloss, lacquered white ceilings add height and a four-poster bed draped in mosquito netting lends a feminine touch. Red side tables are a burst of contrast.

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A serene relaxation spot that brings the outdoors in.

Colette designed an Oliver Messel-inspired trellis screen outside so that she can leave the windows open to the refreshing breeze and still have privacy while bathing. Seashells adorn the space, enhancing the seaside vibe.

A winding walkway framed with palms and lanterns welcomes guests to this island home.

Coral stone steps lead up to Colette van den Thillart’s charming Barbados beach house. The exterior reflects the local wooden chattel house style, with gingerbread detailing. The island’s easterly location means early sunsets, so lanterns on the steps light the way.

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The transition between indoors and out in this Maui dining room is softened with dramatic drapes.

Italian-style lanterns make a stylistic reference to the outdoors and softly illuminate the French farmhouse table. Neutral tones and textures look elegant against the vibrant greenery of the surrounding gardens.

Old world opulence with a tropical twist.

This Maui escape boasts a romantic, shabby chic-inspired sunroom. An antique chandelier from France and simple whitewashed country furniture with custom back-button slipcovered chairs gives the space a cottage look

Plant climbing vines to accent a bare façade.

At designer Sloan Mauran's bungalow in Florida, the loggia is a true indoor-outdoor space with an open-air living and dining room — perfect for entertaining.

A large outdoor sectional comfortably accommodates a crowd.

Sloan enjoys most of her meals with her family in the loggia, which overlooks the pool.

Keeping the original terracotta tile floors gives this newly renovated kitchen character.

The kitchen in designer Sloan Mauran’s Palm Beach retreat was inspired by a modern Belgian aesthetic. The TV is recessed in the wall for a sleek look, and its chunky stone frame mirrors the thick edge on the marble peninsula. The range hood is clad in stainless steel and spans the stoves and work areas for a dramatic effect.

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Pair a settee with dining chairs for a cosier look.

In designer Sloan Mauran’s Palm Beach home, breakfast is taken in the family room, where the glass-topped Parsons table also doubles as a home office. Her 11-year-old daughter’s friends often convene here. “I usually have about three or four other children over all the time,” says Mauran.

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A black and white palette never goes out of style.

Initially an impulse buy, Sloan calls this stylized ram's-head dining table her greatest find. The table, comfortable vintage velvet Z chairs and lamps establish an authentic, glam 1970s tone.

Large mirrors increase brightness.

To keep focus on the views, Sloan skipped a mantel and adorned the living room chimney breast with sculptural kudu horns. Mirrors flanking the fireplace mimic the glass doors and reflect the outdoors inside.

Grasscloth wallpaper adds a hit of texture.

In the principal bedroom, the palette is soothing, the fabrics are soft, and a low-profile bed looks fresh. French doors leading to the loggia and expansive windows make the most of the garden view.

A circa-1970s brass mirror warms up this guest room.

The crane artwork and zebra pillows were selected for their complementary hues and exotic feel. An iconic mid-century modern Warren Platner chair was reupholstered in fresh white cotton.

Twin beds allow for flexibility in a guest room.

Place X-benches in front of beds for propping suitcases. “The guest rooms are right next to each other with their own ensuite baths. If I’m hosting friends with children, they can stay close together in their own little wing,” says designer Sloan Mauran of her Palm Beach retreat.

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Stick to classic finishes for a timeless look.

Sloan used similar materials in all the bathrooms for continuity, yet each bath has its own look. In the functional guest bath, butterfly artwork and plantation shutters lend a beachy feel.

The outdoor bar repeats the infinity pool's graphic simplicity.

At Monica and Michael Belcourt’s sleek, modern getaway home in the Dominican Republic’s luxe Casa de Campo resort, all the principal rooms along the front of the house open onto the pool area, which offers spectacular views of the Caribbean across a sprawling lawn.

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This retreat blurs the boundaries between outside and inside.

A covered wooden walkway surrounds the interior courtyard, linking all the rooms that open onto it. Lush greenery and stately Royal palms frame the slate-lined reflecting pool and fountain.

Inspired by the tropical locale, Monica and Michael chose an eye-opening shade of leaf green for the sleek Italian cabinets.

The pair love to cook with family and friends and dreamed of a dramatic modern kitchen that would be fun, functional and big enough to accommodate multiple chefs. "The minute you walk in, you're energized to cook," says Monica.

A massive table and solid credenza keep the room from looking too "leggy."

Surrounded by pale coral stone walls and porcelain-slab floors, the dark, linear furniture appears to float. Cloud lights by Frank Gehry for Vitra and chairs inspired by the colour of the Caribbean subtly bring the outdoors in.

Embrace a modern look with iconic furnishings.

In this media room, a low-slung sofa and an Eames lounge chair create a sophisticated spot to watch TV.

A lack of clutter, rug-free floors and a crisp white colour scheme keep the room feeling cool and fresh.

The principal bedroom's matching wood floor and ceiling were chosen to create balance and calm. Brightly coloured abstract prints, found in Italy, visually anchor the bed.

In warm climates, extend your living space to the outdoors.

Every bathroom in this Dominican Republic home includes a private outdoor shower with lush plantings.

For a zen look, frame a freestanding tub with stones.

Huge sliding doors and walls of glass in the spa-like principal bathroom all but erase lines between indoors and out.

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