TASTE OF THE TROPICS

I’m just a few days –2 days to be exact – away from leaving on vacation to Paris and Normandy. And, there’s so much yet to do!

Chapters Four and Five are now done. Six is well on it's way to being a fait accompli!

You’ve already had a peek at Chapter 4’s alfresco crab feast, so today photo (above) is from a Key West gem with a tropical twist.

Looking for ways to take your cottage on an exotic excursion?
Try these tips:

* Base the colors you use to decorate on those inspired by a tropical garden (sunny yellows, dazzling coral sparkling turquoise) or Caribbean island fruit (mango orange, passion fruit pink or Key West lime.)

* Make patio or porch areas an extension of the interior of your cottage with matching or coordinated fabrics and cozy homey details.

* Add a bamboo or grasscloth wallpaper or a mural of a Tahitian waterfall . The ones shown here are from Seabrook's Tropical Living collection.

* For continuity, try a house-wide theme inspired by local flora (banana and palm trees or hibiscus) or fauna (flamingos or coral.) Two easy island accents are hanging a shelf to display a collection of over-sized conch shells or starfish or treating your bedroom to one of Uhula's Hawaiian bedding sets (see below).

* Use mosquito netting or gauze curtains to drape your bed, safari-style.

Although the interviews, writing, editing and tweaking of chapters 4 and 5 weren’t nearly as worrying as completing the first chapter, it’s still demanding to get things right and do justice to the time and effort that the homeowners lavish on their cottages.

So much to do, so little time left before I leave...

Did I mention I still need to finish up a magazine article, get the garden, chickens and dog ready to solo while I’m away? Forget about packing!