Raise your hand if you hate leaving a tropical vacation. (Ours are up, too.) But what if we told you that feeling didn’t have to disappear? India Hicks – British aristocrat, design influencer, and daughter of an esteemed interior decorator – is a pro at bringing those sunshiny vibes home. In her book, India Hicks: Island Style, she shares her philosophy on entertaining like a true noblewoman (Prince Charles is her godfather, after all). Take a glimpse into her Bahamian estate below, then recreate the look for your own piece of paradise.
Credit: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Make Space for Silence
Life can be a whirlwind – find a spot where you can catch your breath. Outdoor nooks feel more like an oasis when a palm tree–shaded hammock is involved. Indoors, bedrooms reach sanctuary status with airy fabrics, fresh whites, and pops of happy colors. Inhale… Exhale…
India says: “The hammock in our garden is a refuge and place of peace, perfect for a tired guest or sulking child.”
Credit: Miguel Flores-Vianna
Try the “More is More” Approach
Her father, famed interior designer David Hicks, coined the concept of “tablescaping.” The key? Arrange new with old, and when it seems like enough, keep going.
India says: “One of the things I have inherited is an obsessive desire for collecting, organizing, and tablescaping… As long as I can remember, I have lived in rooms whose surfaces are filled with collections of objects.”
Credit: Miguel Flores-Vianna
One Word: Color
Tropical fruits. Bright plumage. Pink sands. The Bahamas are nothing if not colorful. Vibrant hues and island motifs (hello, palm fronds) bring the spirit of the Caribbean to life in any room.
India says: “Mother Nature had some fun designing the Bahamas… Color and pattern are present everywhere here and quickly influenced many of my own designs.”
Credit: Vince Klassen
Open Your Doors
What’s a home without people to share it with? Create an inviting dining spread with candles, greenery, and crisp linens – and don’t forget to leave time for a house tour.
India says: “My grandparents were always entertaining, as were my parents, as am I. It must be in the blood. My grandmother in particular would always say, ‘Oh, do come stay,’ to anyone of any interest.”
By Brianna Lapolla, Associate Editor
