When Celerie Kemble laid eyes on a wild swath of jungle in the Dominican Republic next to mint green water and an endless stretch of golden sand, she fell madly in love. Against all odds, she designed a home away from home there, an island retreat suffused with light and air, full of indoor and outdoor rooms for relaxation. Drawing inspiration from a childhood where whimsy was part of her home s foundation, she blended meaningful, unique, and surprising design choices and details into these spaces. There is the lacy tragaluz fretwork above the doors that lets in breezes and echoes the Victorian influences in a town near the property. There are the artisanal tiles with patterns reminiscent of the strangely beautiful flora of the jungle. There are the sweet pastel-coloured bungalows and the art, objects, and textiles in dark hues reminiscent of a Gauguin painting. Throughout this lovingly crafted book about Kemble s own island design journey, ideas abound for anyone decorating a sunny home or fantasising about spending time in one. Kemble shares inspiration for creating a sense of openness to the sea, sand, and sky; offering places to wash sandy feet or perfect viewing spots for a sunset-saturated drink; and infusing spaces with a sense of welcome, invitation, and magic. Bunny Williams s An Affair with a House meets India Hicks s Island Style in this gorgeously photographed, open-hearted volume.

About the Author:

Celerie Kemble is a partner in Kemble Interiors, Inc., a decorating firm founded by her mother, Mimi McMakin, in 1982. After graduating from Harvard, Kemble built her own design practice with clients including Tory Burch and Lela Rose. She has been featured in Coastal Living, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest (including as an AD100 designer), luxe., Veranda, Traditional Home, and more. Her previous design books include To Your Taste and Black and White (and a Bit in Between).

Product in Detail

Hard cover

256 pages

Published April 2021

Island Whimsy

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