Decorating Tricks From the SoHo Beach House

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What you can learn from the luxury beach hotel that's putting an end to Miami Beach's reigning style of white-on-white decor.

I remember the first time I walked into the Philippe Stark-designed lobby of Miami's Delano Hotel: All I could think was, "Wow, this is Miami," and indeed Stark's aesthetic was mimicked by many other designers. The all-white look reigned supreme for years. However, a newcomer on the scene proves that South Beach can have more than one style.

The recently opened SoHo Beach House (a private members club, hotel and spa) is a delightful surprise for Miami. The space is decorated in homage to 1940's Cuba and Latin America with gallery walls of eclectic art, dark woods, upholstered club chairs and vintage furnishings. Not only do we love this new hotel for shaking up the Miami design scene, we love it for its easily copied decor ideas. Here are twelve ideas you can borrow from this elite hotel:

Lesson 1: Take a cue from the SoHo Beach House's lobby design: Instead of upholstering sets of chairs in identical fabrics, opt for different hues of one type of yardage.
Lesson 2: You can never have too many throw pillows. We love the more is more attitude of covering all the lobby's couches with more decorative pillows than convention allows for.

Lesson 1: Wood paneling adds instant character. An adventurous DIY-er could re-create a similar look to these dark-wooded walls with panels of plywood stained in a dark hue.
Lesson 2: A gallery wall gives a room major character -- the quirkier the art (skulls, anyone?) the better. Don't worry about getting it "right," this look is all about the haphazard feel.

Lesson 1: Light fixtures immediately set the tone for a room. Here, the vintage (or vintage-looking) milk glass pendants give the bar area a retro feel.
Lesson 2: Tiles aren't just for kitchens and baths. The Mexican tiles in this bar area prove that a tiled floor is chic in many rooms -- especially when sand and salt water are just outside the door!

Lesson 1: Mix and match dining chairs. A dining table on the SoHo Beach House's patio is surrounded by an eclectic mix of wooden chairs for a funky, boho vibe.
Lesson 2: Use greenery for privacy. If your yard or patio is prone to prying eyes, consider copying SoHo Beach House's tactic of creating a green screen between your space and the outside world.

Lesson 1: A loveseat is the perfect piece for the foot of the bed, especially in guest rooms, whether it is in a hotel or it's where you plan to house your in-laws when they visit.
Lesson 2: Beach-y decor doesn't have to mean white-painted and blond wood furniture: Dark wood is a surprising and chic choice, especially when paired with a sea-colored scheme.

Lesson 1: Don't be afraid to mix patterns. Here, a boldly patterned floor is paired with a large-scale print fabric on the headboard and bed frame for great visual impact
Lesson 2: If you keep a television in your bedroom, a pedastal TV stand is a chic alternative to the usual console-style table -- it also takes up less floor space and eliminates the hassle of wall-mounting.

For more drool-worthy hotel spaces, read on:
- Say Aloha to a Fun Hawaiian Hotel
- One Night in Paris at the Seven Hotel
- A Fun Texas Hotel

 

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