Island Whimsy

Island Whimsy by internationally renowned interior designer Celerie Kemble is a journey into creating a dream house by the sea. Imagine a place where windows and doors are flung open to the ocean, allowing gusts of cool, salty air to invoke the joy of childhood. With a deep-rooted connection to sun and surf from spending her childhood in her family's rambling beach house, Kemble fell in love with a wild stretch of jungle in the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2004.

There, next to minty-blue water and endless golden sand, she designed an island retreat—a home away from home consisting of a clubhouse and a collection of family homes and guesthouses. Suffused with light and air, and filled with indoor and outdoor rooms for relaxation, this retreat became the subject of Kemble's creative journey in Island Whimsy.

The book is structured around the various ways Kemble interwove her family's story with the broader landscape of Playa Grande, aiming to inspire and bring joy and respite to all its visitors. The section "Fantasy" explores the whimsical, dreamlike elements employed throughout the property, such as latticework cabanas by the pool and lamb statues that seem to "mow" the lawns, all intended to evoke play and possibility.

In "Light, Salt, Air," Kemble illustrates how she integrated the most cherished elements of the beach into the homes, creating a sense of flow and permeability that constantly reminds visitors of their locale. "In the Jungle" explores design inspirations drawn from the surrounding tropical rainforest, creating a captivating interplay between chaos and refinement.

The chapter "Sweet & Dark" delves into vibrant and unexpected colour combinations, whether tribal prints in vivid Gauguin hues paired with pastel shades or handmade objects like a papier-mâché lobster mask, all adding a vivacious spirit to a room. Lastly, "Texture" highlights the transformative effect of thoughtfully layered materials, from rough local coquina stone and painted antique wicker to the smooth, polished cotton of Dutch wax prints.

Throughout this lovingly crafted book, Kemble provides a wealth of ideas for those decorating a sunny home or dreaming of spending time in one. She shares insights on creating spaces with openness to the sea, offering areas to wash sandy feet or the perfect spot for watching a sunset-infused drink, and infusing spaces with an atmosphere of welcome, invitation, and magic.