Incorporating Palm Beach Chic: 21 Creative Decorating Ideas

1. Get Inventive with Color
While Palm Beach style is recognized for its use of vibrant tropical colors such as turquoise, lime green, and lemon yellow, there are milder shades like sand, ivory, blue-gray, and pale pink that can help homeowners maintain the authentic aesthetic. Walsh suggests a blue on blue, blue and white, or coral on purple approach. Grayed-down colors, which are not typical Palm Beach hues, are actually quite sophisticated and make excellent background colors. Reynolds prefers softer and more neutral tones that are variations of traditional Palm Beach hues to inspire a calming and serene ambiance, such as sandy taupe, blush pink, sage green, and cool-toned sky blue.

2. Appreciate Natural Textures
Incorporating natural woods, woven textures, and organic elements can contribute to a more relaxed coastal atmosphere. Wicker and rattan have always been synonymous with Palm Beach style because they are lightweight and airy, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Grass cloth and burlap are two more classic Palm Beach textures that add personality to a room when applied to the ceiling, according to Walsh. Reynolds, on the other hand, enjoys adding caning and bamboo textures to bar carts and headboards.

To add a touch of Palm Beach charm to your space, incorporating nature-inspired motifs such as palm fronds, pineapples, flamingos, and conch shells can do wonders. However, it’s important to use them in a sophisticated, subtle, and unexpected way to avoid seeming cliché or kitschy. For instance, oversized clam shells filled with orchids, greenery, and protea flowers, and custom consoles adorned with shells can add a fresh and modern touch. Coastal elements such as coral, shells, lily flowers, and palms also create a sense of place and authenticity, especially if you’re close to the ocean like in Palm Beach. To elevate these accents, you can opt for more curated approaches like featuring oversized coral sculptures on Lucite stands or live sprouted coconut arrangements.

Incorporating textured wallpapers with prints of palms, florals, and stripes is a hallmark of Palm Beach style, according to design experts. Grass cloth and burlap are popular choices for creating textural layers that don’t overwhelm the overall design. Using grass cloth as a neutral backdrop is a versatile option that works well with different color palettes. Designers also recommend using paper-backed fabrics, such as Schumacher’s Grand Palms, to add warmth and acoustical padding to a room. Greek key patterns and trellis wallpapers are preferred by some designers, while others suggest going with geometric, solid, or nature-inspired patterns. Adding animal prints on smaller pieces, like throw pillows or stools, is a playful way to enhance Palm Beach style. Leopard or zebra print rugs and fabrics can also make a statement in a room.

To make a Palm Beach home look well-collected and full of character, incorporating antique items is a great idea. Vintage accents like chinoiserie vases or porcelain pagodas can add a sense of history to a modern home. A lot of clients enjoy seeing vintage pieces being passed down through generations, ranging from Italian to French to Art Deco, including rugs, tables, upholstery, and tabletop accessories. For a glamorous look, Regency style and Hollywood glamour are two styles that work well in Palm Beach. Carlton Varney is known for merging these two styles, using bold colors and patterns to combine classic Palm Beach elements like chinoiserie prints and bamboo with regency accents like lacquer tables and gold details to create a luxurious and stylish look.

Carmel Brantley suggests some tips for achieving the Palm Beach style in your home. One of the most important elements is selecting patterns such as stripes, florals, and chintz that add interest to a space while maintaining a soft and subtle appearance. Additionally, eco-friendly rugs made from materials like seagrass or sisal can provide a natural texture that complements this style. Finally, mirrors should be elegant and tailored, with options like Chippendale-style or those made from unique materials like raffia or acrylic. By incorporating these design choices, you can create a sophisticated yet accessible Palm Beach-style living space.

Hector Sanchez’s article “Go with Green” emphasizes the importance of incorporating greenery into any Palm Beach-inspired room. According to Reynolds, palms, ferns, orchids, tropical plants, and bougainvillea can create a natural and organic ambiance. Adding plants and flowers can also produce a tropical feel while bringing the outdoors inside. One idea is placing votive candles on fronds or lining a dining table with freshly cut palms from the garden. Meanwhile, Walsh suggests using fresh greenery for centerpieces, and Bikoff recommends putting houseplants in stucco planters adorned with shells. In addition, Reynolds suggests using a trellis on a wall or ceiling to obtain a three-dimensional effect. A bright white painted trellis can make a crisp and clean backdrop for decorative elements to stand out. The trellis pattern can also become a striking focal point that adds a sense of perspective to the room, making it appear more spacious.

When it comes to achieving the Palm Beach style, lighting is an important element to consider. Incorporating chandeliers made of beads, rattan, or glass can add a whimsical and playful touch to any space. Plaster lighting, such as Paul Ferrante’s white or gold leaf shell light, can also bring casual elegance to a room. Layering different types of lighting fixtures, like table lamps, sconces, and chandeliers, can create depth and interest.
Another key aspect of Palm Beach style is lacquered furniture in bold colors like jungle green and yellow. Lacquer provides a clean and glossy finish that complements the vibrant color palette of the area. Use it intentionally as an accent to bridge traditional and modern design, such as on console tables or dining room chair legs. Painting ceilings and walls in lacquer can also add a unique touch. Sherwin-Williams Snowbound is a great white option, while Farrow Ball Skylight reflects the blue hues of a Caribbean sky.

In the Palm Beach style of homes, tile floors are a suitable choice, especially if the house is near the ocean. These floors are preferable because they are cool on the feet and do not hold onto sand like rugs. The tiles can be used in various areas, such as on floors, backsplashes, and fireplace surrounds. Installing tiles is easy, and they give an indoor room a beautiful garden feeling. McMakin has Portuguese tiles on her porch, which have lasted for forty years despite children, dogs, and roller skates. Additionally, 16-inch brown and white tiles are ideal for patios, and they complement outdoor furniture well. Window treatments also play a significant role in the Palm Beach style. Designers can choose from fun-shaped valances, dramatic pinch-pleated curtains, white linen with grosgrain trim, or natural fiber shades. Some designers prefer not to obstruct views with heavy drapery since oversized windows are common in these homes. Reynolds likes to add sophistication to space by layering a woven shade with a stationary linen sheer to frame and soften the view. There are no fixed rules when it comes to Palm Beach window treatments.

In creating a Palm Beach style look, floral arrangements play an essential role. Calla lilies, proteas in white or pink, orchids, and peonies are timeless blooms that add elegance to any space. While gladiolus may have fallen out of fashion, they can still be used to create a unique style. Palm trees are a must-have both indoors and outdoors as they bring in the classic green and tropical feel to any area.

Palm Beach style is a fusion of various cultures and influences from different parts of the world. The style combines American designs like preppy, nautical, and tropical motifs with European influences. Antiques sourced from England, France, and Italy add a touch of formality and sophistication to the typical bright colors and patterns associated with Palm Beach style.

Art plays an important role in Palm Beach style. Designers incorporate art ranging from traditional to modern. Bright floral motifs work well in classic designs, while lifestyle photography and ornate illustrations pair well with more playful transitional looks. Designers pay homage to legends such as midcentury artists like Mark Rothko and Frank Stella and poolside photographer Slim Aarons. They also look for new and upcoming artists to feature, such as woven wall hangings by Jessica Alejandra, lithographs by Alex Katz, and Dean West’s cinematic stylized photography. Local Palm Beach artist Orville Bulman inspired McMakin, while she currently admires the work of photographer Nick Miele, whose prints adorn the walls of The Colony Hotel.

Carmel Brantley, a source in the world of Palm Beach exteriors, believes that the key to creating an idyllic outdoor space is by incorporating natural foliage, chic details, and a touch of drama. She suggests adding scalloped umbrellas, striped cushions, artistic sculptures, and personalized welcome mats to your outdoor setting. In addition, perfectly trimmed hedges, giant fishtail palms in concrete pots, fire pits, covered lanais with flowery sheer drapery, and vintage wicker or iron outdoor furniture upholstered in colorful striped or floral fabrics can enhance the overall look. According to Bikoff, a vintage-inspired patio umbrella featuring pagoda or scalloped shapes, colorful fabrics, and fun trims completes the outdoor projects brilliantly.