March has arrived, and with it, spring fever and the urge to reorganize and redecorate. Fortunately, at this time of year, a great selection of new and exciting items is arriving on island. We at House travel several times a year to visit suppliers so we can stay in touch with current trends, see what is new in the market, and identify colours and themes that will work for our customers in the BVI.

To help get ideas for your home, we have selected some wonderful design books with illustrations and concepts suitable for life in the tropics. A particular favourite of mine is Island Style by India Hicks—a book to which I refer again and again for inspiration.

There are many ways to enliven and update a scheme that you feel may be looking a little bit “tired.” One of the easiest ways to freshen a room is to add flowers. A simple vase filled with tropical flowers finishes a room wonderfully. Cut palm fronds and put them in an oversized hurricane or try a huge bunch of bougainvillea to add a splash of vibrant colour. When fresh flowers are not an option, excellent silk imitations are available. Either little ferns in pots used as accents or vases full of large flowers in an entrance hall can look stunning.

If you’re looking to update your colour scheme, a relatively easy way to make over a room is to change furniture covers. There are many new fabric designs, colours and textures available this spring. This season’s hot colours remain lime, aqua and chocolate. House sells fabric by the yard and has many new books from which to choose.

Wood is a trend we are seeing more and more at market. This is being applied in frames, lamps and furniture. It is important that the natural appeal of the wood is emphasized; hence, no varnish or polished finishes are used. We have ordered several oversized mirrors and lamps with this look.

There are some big changes in the indoor/outdoor furniture market. This type of furniture continues to become more sophisticated and is improving all the time with an increasing number of options from which to choose. Teak is still popular but be careful to buy good quality for this climate. Outdoor furniture in mock bamboo and flat-weave wicker is very popular and appropriate for the Caribbean. New Sunbrella® and all-weather fabric options can be incorporated to create a very distinctive and individual look.

Don’t underestimate the power of integrating the unusual into your decorating schemes. Hanging an oversized wall clock, accenting with a seagrass weave chair, spelling words with wall plaque letters or hanging oversized utensils all create interesting talking points.

At House, we offer basic household pieces such as china, glass and kitchen accessories, as well as pretty and unusual items that make a difference to your decorating. So stop by and check out our new items in store now!