Ever catch yourself daydreaming about swaying palms, turquoise waters, and warm breezes? In this episode, Tom will explain how you can take your inspiration and ideas and put those into a design plan for your chosen space at home. Tom will help you to identify issues and then provide guidance about how to prioritize and eliminate those issues. You will learn how you can design a space that captures the beauty, peace, and relaxation of the tropics, all for a lot less money, no passport needed!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Power of Imagination: How visualizing your ideal tropical retreat sets the stage for real-life transformation.
• Personalizing Your Escape: How to design a space that’s as unique as your dream getaway.
• Time-Saving Guidance: Skip the endless Pinterest scrolling. Create targeted searches for specific inspiration that fit your vision.
• Confidence in Your Choices: No more second-guessing paint colors, furniture, or décor.
• A Clear Design Path: Step-by-step direction to help you bring your tropical daydream to life.

Learn about the Tropical Self-Discovery Assessment which is a very inexpensive tool that you can use to uncover your personal tropical style and bring your unique vision to life:

Do you lean toward bold colors or those which are more subtle?

Do you prefer a more minimalist look or one that is filled with personal treasures?

How do you want your end result to really make you feel each and every time you spend time in your tropical escape?

Book a 30 minute call with Tom to discuss your own personal tropical escape!

Take the Tropical Self-Discovery Assessment today and start building your at-home paradise with confidence!

Sign up for the free weekly Cabana Lounge Newsletter!

In this episode, we dive into the growing and unfortunate flood of AI-generated imagery in the world of tropical interiors and why they are rarely the paradises they appear to be. From unnatural lighting, nonsensical placements, unrealistic proportions, incomplete detailing, and even impossible materials, they are simply out of touch with reality. They lack cultural authenticity. AI imagery too many times gives a false sense of what’s achievable in real life and that is not a good thing!

We’ll talk about:

• How AI interiors often ignore practical constraints like lighting, furniture sizes, room layouts and how they ignore important detailing in textures and patterns.
• Why relying too much on AI images can stifle your creativity instead of sparking it.
• The most common issues found in AI imagery of interior spaces.
• Alternative sources where you can find real imagery for tropical inspiration instead of Pinterest which is now full of AI imagery.

Whether you’re a homeowner with a design project in mind and you're struggling with figuring out what's possible and what's not, or you're someone who is just dreaming of how to bring the beauty of palm leaves and the ocean into a space, this episode will help you cut through the artificial illusions and find inspiration which is rooted in reality.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Sign up for the weekly Cabana Lounge Newsletter so you don’t miss out an cool info and tips

Tropical Design At Home: Learn more about yourself and your love of all things tropical. Then put into motion with home transformation guide.

Get a free bonus! 8 Reasons You Need a Tropical Escape at Home

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Whether you love clean, open spaces or thrive in a room brimming with treasures, decluttering can help you to live more intentionally and enhance your design style without losing what you love. In this episode, Tom explores how both minimalists and maximalists can approach decluttering in ways that are easy and effective.

Tom talks about:

The core differences between minimalist and maximalist mindsets, and where they overlap.

How to identify what’s truly serving you versus what’s just taking up space.

Practical, style-specific decluttering strategies for both ends of the spectrum.

Tips to make decluttering less stressful and more rewarding.

Plus he shares some highlights about how maximalist design can work in small spaces while honoring Anne Burrell, the celebrity chef from the Food Network Channel who sadly passed away in June. Be sure to watch these 2 short videos and then download one of her recipes!

An overview of Anne’s loft in Brooklyn NY with a tasty crostini recipe.

Anne share an in-depth look at her design style and the stories behind it.

Anne’s Ricotta, Prosciutto and Nectarine Crostini with Pesto and Arugula Salad

So whether you’re paring down to artful essentials or curating an artful abundance, this episode will help you make intentional choices that bring more ease, comfort, and personality to your home!

Join Tom in Tropical Design At Home where you can book your coaching call with him. You can also get the tropical home transformation guide where you will learn how to infuse authentic tropical design and style into your home! Use coupon code Tropics100 and save $100 on the guide today!

Sign up for the Cabana Lounge, a free weekly newsletter filled with tropical fun and inspiration!

Welcome back to Tropical Escapes at Home! In this episode, we're recapping the very first week of The Cabana Lounge newsletter, your new “go-to” for tropical interior design inspiration and a more relaxed, luxurious lifestyle at home.

Here’s what you’ll hear in today’s episode:

• Highlights from the first issue including our favorite featured escape
• How authenticity means everything in tropical design and entertaining
• A “behind-the-scenes” look at launching The Cabana Lounge
• Sneak peeks of upcoming content which includes resort reviews and recipes for entertaining. There could also be a few surprises we’re designing just for you!

Go to Tropical Design at Home and check out the design program sneak peek!

Whether you’re already a subscriber or just curious about bringing some paradise into your home, this episode will leave you feeling refreshed and inspired!

Not signed up yet? Join The Cabana Lounge newsletter

We’d love to hear from you!

What did you think of the first issue?

What tropical topics, design ideas, or lifestyle features would you love to see in future editions?

Send your feedback, questions, or thoughts to us directly at [email protected].

I read every message and truly value your input.

Thanks for helping shape The Cabana Lounge into your favorite source of tropical inspiration each week.

In this episode, we’re kicking back and soaking up the sun with something brand new: “The Cabana Lounge” — a tropical-inspired home design and lifestyle newsletter designed to bring the beauty of the tropics into your everyday life! And your feedback is needed!

Whether you're dreaming of laid-back tropical living, stylish interiors and exteriors, tasty recipes and cocktails, awesome travel ideas or other cool stuff about the tropics, this newsletter will deliver inspiration straight to your inbox. You'll get curated ideas, featured finds, and easy ways to infuse your space with that relaxed, island-style charm — no passport required.

In this episode, you will also hear about the new tropical community I have been working on. And most importantly, whether your are a loyal listener or a first-time guest, please let me know what you think about the show! I would love to know what is working, what is not, what you would love to hear more about, what is missing, and so on. You can help me to shape future episodes with your voice!

To sign up for newsletter, click on The Cabana Lounge.

To share your feedback on the podcast, send your email to [email protected]

Let’s create a space where the tropics come alive and summer never ends!

Welcome! Today, Tom from Cerulean Bay is introducing a new tropical interior design program which will help you to turn tropical design dreams into reality! This is exciting because this brand new program, Tropical Design At Home has launched and is now available!

If you’ve ever wished you could capture the feeling of a tropical vacation without leaving your house, this program is for you. We’re talking breezy island-inspired décor, stress-relieving spaces, and practical tips to turn your home into a relaxing retreat.

In this episode, Tom shares what Tropical Design At Home is all about, why creating a tropical-inspired escape is so good for your well-being, and how you can get started transforming your space today.

So grab a cool drink, imagine that ocean breeze, and let’s dive into your tropical home transformation! Then click on a program title above to get started!

We are sitting down today with Brian Young, the owner of Home Painters Toronto. Even though Brian serves the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), we discuss what everyone needs to look for when searching for a painting contractor no matter where they live.

Brian reveals the art and science behind a perfect paint job and guides you in choosing the right type of paint for the project you are about to start. This episode is a must for anyone who has either interior or exterior painting (or both!) to do, regardless of whether they hire someone to do the work or they decide to tackle it on their own. Brian shares expert insights every homeowner and DIYer should hear before picking up a brush.

In this episode, we discuss:

The key difference between different paints and primers and why it matters

Pro tips for preparing surfaces before painting including how to handle wallpaper removal

Trending color palettes

Common mistakes to avoid

How the weather impacts exterior paint from Toronto to Houston

As you are planning your new tropical escape at home, this episode will give you a lot of great information to get the job done right!

You can reach Brian's team at:

Email - [email protected]

Phone: 416-494-9095

Website: Home Painters Toronto

Kevin O’Sullivan, a glass fusion artist and the creative force behind A&O Custom Glass Art in San Diego joins Tom from Cerulean Bay to discuss how he transforms glass into beautiful home décor and wearable art while sharing his inspirations and techniques which make each piece uniquely his own.

After leaving the corporate world to become an artist, Kevin discovered fused glass is his medium of choice and that he could create statement decor and intricate glass jewelry which are truly unique. He shares the artistic influences that shape his design approach as well as the types of glass he uses to create these beautiful pieces.

You can find Kevin at A&O Custom Glass Art and on Facebook. You can support his work through requests for commissioned pieces and by visiting with him in person at local events in San Diego, CA.

You can also find some of his jewelry work and his sushi sets in our online shop!

Please visit with us on Patreon and at Cerulean Bay to learn so much more about how you can create your own tropical escape at home! We hope you enjoy this episode, thank you so much for joining us today!

Ready to bring the island vibes straight into your home? If so, let's dive into 10 dreamy tropical bedroom ideas to help you transform your space into a personal paradise! Whether you are craving bold colors and lush patterns or you prefer a minimal, airy vibe, we're covering styles that range from neutral and elegant to wild and jungle-inspired.

Your bedroom is the most personal room in your home — your sanctuary to unwind at night and wake up refreshed. So why not make it your own tropical escape?

We’ll explore:

🌿 Ways to go bold with botanical prints and vibrant artwork

🪴 How to keep it light, minimal, and serene

🏝️ Mixing textures for rustic island charm

🖼️ Creating cozy, jungle-like vibes with wallpaper, plants, and earthy accents

🛏️ Why your bedroom should feel like your happy place — every single day

This episode is full of inspiration with flexibility — we give you the ideas, and you make them your own! 

If you love the idea of escaping to an exotic tropical island and losing yourself in the tranquility and peacefulness that comes with being there, you can bring those peaceful vibes straight into your home! Believe it or not, the bathroom is an ideal place to start because it’s usually the first stop every morning after you wake up and the last stop before going to bed at night. So why not literally start your day and then end your day with an awesome tropical experience?

Join Tom from Cerulean Bay as he explores a wide range of inspiration and ideas about how to turn your bathroom into an amazing tropical escape! Be sure to check out our blog posts about transforming your bathroom and about indoor tropical plants as these are both critical to hitting the mark the first time and avoiding mistakes! You too can embrace the look and feel of the tropics right at home!