Take a tour around a gorgeous Caribbean hideaway

PROPERTY TYPE A contemporary, colonial-style house.
SPACE Living room, gazebo/second living room, dining room, kitchen, three bedrooms, four bathrooms and a swimming pool
LOCATION St Barts, West Indies

1/11 Caribbean hideaway house tour

Split over three levels to accommodate the slope it's built on, this fabulous home has all the verandas and shutters a fan of Caribbean architecture could ask for.  First and foremost, however, this is a place for the owners to unwind.

2/11 Caribbean hideaway house tour

High ceilings, large expanses of glass and pale surfaces maximise light. The dining room is set up so that guests can marvel at the view. Numbered cushions on the seats is a personal touch, while huricane lamps will provide twinkling candlelight during the evening.

The mahogany dining table, designed by a friend of the owners, was made locally, but try BoConcept for a similar design.

3/11 Caribbean hideaway house tour

Rustic sun loungers contrast beautifully with the slick polished concrete floor, reflecting the clever fusion of colonial and contemporary styles in the house.

Find similar rustic loungers at Mandala. Lowinfo can create concrete floors.

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These window shutters are Caribbean architecture at its best and allow light to stream into this outdoor bedroom/beach hut.

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The master bedroom is strongly defined by straight lines and a monochromatic palette, with antique Chines cabinets adding warmth. Individually, the framed mirrors either side of the bed would be merely practical, but in multiple they are a bold statement. The increased reflection bounces light around the bedroom, making it appear larger.

Habitat carry a wide range of mirrors and picture frames. Find Oriental-style cabinets at OKA.

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The living room, dining room and kitchen are divided by half walls that define the space without chopping it up. White furniture is used where possible to create a cool and calm look, while some black pieces provide definition in the open-plan space.

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In the living room, decorative textiles and Chinese pieces add delicate detail to a bright white backdrop. Antique lanterns have been given a new lease of life on top of decorative storage.

The Conran Shop stocks modern lanterns like this. 

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The walls have been lined with photos mounted in simple, but striking black frames. These echo the geometric patterns of the windows and doors, and tie in with the monochrome scheme.

For similar frames, try Marks & Spencer.

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The owners can read or catch up on paperwork at their antique Oriental-style bureau - when they're not enjoying the sunshine!

Lombok sells similar bureaus.

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The mahogany kitchen units were made in Denmark. The glazed cabinets are great for displaying treasures, while the rustic pendant lights introduce a bit of Caribbean culture to the scheme.

Roundhouse could make kitchen units like this for you. The striped runners are from Day Home.

11/11 wet room

This tile-clad ensuite wet room is formed of all pure, clean lines to create a calming ambience. There’s no bath, though, as there isn’t enough water on St Barts.

The sanitaryware and taps were bought in America, but try Aston Matthews for similar. The Chinese cabinet came from Green Square in Copenhagen. Putney Tiles sells plain white tiles. For a square mirror, see John Lewis.
 
Looking for more modern decorating inspiration? Check out our House Tours section for everything from a celebrity designer's Victorian terrace house to an eclectic mansion flat.