Amanda’s design principles

Designing for Leisure

The DNA of my style is largely informed by two things. The first is my experiences of living in tropical environments for most of my life – from Palm Beach in Southern Florida, to the Bahamas where I live now. Second, the vast amount of projects I design are places where people come to holiday – so this mood of dreamy relaxation hugely influences the way I design interiors.

I'm very inspired by that magical moment when you first arrive at your accommodation after getting off the plane – those feelings of excitement, comfort and romance are always at the front of my mind when I'm designing.

The Core Elements of Amanda's Style

Certain elements and principles will always feature in rooms I design because they invoke the DNA of my style. These are:

• Crisp white bedsheets
• Natural sisal rugs
• Vases of flowers such as Bougainvillaea
• A water glass on the night table
• White slip-covers for the sofa
• Hand-printed cotton fabrics
• Pops of Messel green
• Books you want to read
• Traditional English upholstery
• Scent both inside and out
• Candlelight
• Artificial lighting at eye level

Inspiration from the 1960s

While it was a politically turbulent and challenging time, in terms of decorating the 1960s was a time of prosperity and glamour – made even more exciting by the democratisation of travel. Visiting far-flung destinations was becoming increasingly accessible, and islands such as Jamaica, Barbados and the Bahamas began to tap into the growing tourism industry.

Incredible hotels and homes were built that, to this day, I still find hugely inspiring. The style they were designed in and the way they were decorated retain a timeless quality that still holds up, and I try to capture this essence in the properties I design. To achieve this, I like to include materials such as:

• Non-select or lower-grade woods that have natural imperfections and character
• Caribbean Coralina stone and other materials local to the area
• Reclaimed flooring over engineered flooring

Lessons from Childhood

My mother had a keen eye for design, and she was known for her sense of style. After my parents got married, they moved to Boca Raton in Florida and built a modernist house inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier, with the help of Danish architect Paul Robin John.

Growing up in that modernist house, I learnt a lot about the importance of scale in architecture – and it has informed the way that I like to play around with proportions in my interior design.

I inherited my mother's preference for white slip-covers, natural flooring, atmospheric lighting and vases of fresh flowers.

The Role of Study

As a designer, you never stop studying. Whether it's reading design books or scrolling through Instagram, seeking out inspirational images is a lifelong endeavour – and especially important when embarking on any design project.

Amanda's Decorating DNA

• Classical Caribbean island style
• Timeless, relaxed elegance
• Architectural focus
• Natural materials such as rattan

Key Principles to Remember

• Practicality – design should accommodate the reality of life and not feel too precious
• Authenticity – use materials that are local to the surrounding area
• Comfort – everyone should feel welcome and at ease in your home
• Conviviality – furniture and layout need to support relaxing and socialising

Discover More:

For inspiration, take a look at these iconic early-to-mid-20th-century island properties:

• Ian Fleming's Golden Eye, Oracabessa Bay, Jamaica
• Sandy Lane hotel, Barbados
• Marietta Tree's Heron Bay House, Barbados

I also love:

• TWA Hotel at JFK (John F. Kennedy Airport), designed by Eero Saarinen, New York
• James Deering's Villa Vizcaya, now Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Florida

Get a sense of the jet-setting 1960s with Slim Aarons' photography

Take a look at the work of a regular collaborator of mine, architect Maria de la Guardia