- 2 min read

Palm Spring Interiors with Maria Barros

The moment the sun was out, everyone's spirits lifted and we all started thinking about long haul trips somewhere exotic. I thought about Miami, Palm Springs and the Florida Keys. It was a beautiful trip in my head, visiting places brimming with pink and blue and yellow that had a 60s vibe still about them. My mind run to Slim Aarons photos, palm trees, 'greenery' green lawns and turquoise blue swimming pools. I turned to the interiors magazines and although I had July's issue in my hands, colour was not in abundance.

Why is it that we don't infuse our homes with a bit of the Palm Springs glam here in the UK? Is it the light which is never warm that is not inspiring us? Would the pinks and greens look alien under our sky? If that does not deter you (go on, be a rebel!) have a look at the extraordinary beautiful Palm Beach-like interiors of Portuguese Interior Designer Maria Barros, whose distinct uplifting style can transfer you across the pond to Florida in the 1960s.

COOL BLUE

Maria Barros loves colour. Her schemes tend to start with a bright white base (the walls or the floor) which she slowly builds up with pops of colour. The room below, which has cool blue hues, is a perfect example of her styling method.

Blue grasscloth wallpaper white round mirror, Palm Beach decor, ceramic stools and flowers in vase, Maria Barros styling

Emptied of all furniture and decorative accessories, this would seem to you like a typical white square room with no architectural features and no character, being a new built.

Interior design tips and ideas, living room decor, blue geometric rug, coastal home, Palm Beach vibes

Two accent walls are dressed with seagrass wallpaper in various tones of blue. The geometric rug grounds the scheme and also has an electric blue shade in it. The surfaces are mostly glossy like the console table and round mirror above, as well as the ceramic stools and vases.

To glam up the room, Barros uses contrasting colours, like hot pink and red. You expect that the person living in this home is bubbly, a social butterfly. The sheer curtains allow just the right amount of light to come through so the room still looks fresh.

The room is arranged to allow space for entertaining as well as for dining and socializing. For a collection of colourful cushions try Designers Guild and Penelope Hope.