Tropical Escapes At Home
Have you ever returned home from an amazing tropical vacation or dreamed of escaping to an exotic island and wished you could capture that same intoxicating vibe right in your own home? Welcome to Tropical Escapes At Home. I'm Tom from Cerulean Bay and together we will go on a journey to capture the beauty and relaxation of the tropics and bring them into your everyday life. From discovering authentic tropical artistry to entertaining in true island style, you can discover amazing inspiration and tips for creating your very own tropical escape and lifestyle. It’s all about creating that perfect balance of tropical beauty, comfort, and tranquility which will help you to unwind and recharge. Your own personal tropical retreat will only be steps away!
So grab your favorite cocktail or beverage, sit back in your favorite chair, and let's escape to the tropics! Be sure to comment in the Fan Mail and share your favorite episodes!
You can also check out my channel over on YouTube, Tropical Escapes At Home, and be sure to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE! www.youtube.com/@tropicalescapesathome
I've also got some great blog posts and a cool little online store over at www.ceruleanbay.com too!
Is there something about the tropics and/or tropical design that you'd like to hear me cover on the show? Let me know! I will definitely check it out to see if I can include it in an episode. So feel free to send your comments or questions to podcast@ceruleanbay.com!
Thanks for listening and for supporting the show!!
Tropical Escapes At Home
Find Your Starting Point For A Tropical Escape At Home
When Winter Hits, the Tropics Matter More Than Ever!
In this episode, Tom checks in from a frosty Houston morning following a rare arctic blast and reflects on why moments like these make a personal tropical escape at home more important than ever.
Between dealing with the cold, juggling multiple creative projects, and doing volunteer work, Tom shares an honest update on what’s happening behind the scenes at Cerulean Bay and why the podcast is temporarily moving to a biweekly schedule for the first quarter of the year.
Tom also focuses on how to start from square one when creating a tropical escape, especially if you’re craving calm, warmth, and renewal.
Tom walks through foundational questions to help you define your version of a tropical retreat.
- Do you actually want a visually immersive tropical space? Or is simple sound and imagination enough?
- What colors truly speak to you (ocean blues, seafoam greens, warm neutrals)?
- What do you already own that fits your tropical taste?
- What frustrates you about your current space and what can be changed?
- Are your furniture pieces scaled correctly for the room?
- How can lighting make the space feel larger, brighter, and calmer?
Tom provides practical guidance about building mood boards, defining your story before spending money and how to avoid becoming overwhelmed. He also provides super important tips for buying art and décor abroad including:
- Measure rooms before you leave and take those measurements with you
- Know your surface dimensions (tables, credenzas, shelves)
- Ask: Is it worth it to ship this home? Will it fit?
- Why social media (Facebook & Instagram) matter when connecting with artists
- What to know about international packing and shipping
- Why authenticity beats mass-produced souvenirs every time
- How a single authentic item you weren't planning on buying can become the anchor for an entire room
- Why you should visit high-end furniture stores both and home and abroad, even when you can't afford to shop at them
Tom also provides words of encouragement while reminder his listeners to slow down, ask the right questions, stay intentional, and choose authenticity over trends.
As winter starts to fade and spring approaches, this is the perfect time to reimagine your space, reclaim your calm, and design a retreat that supports your mental wellbeing. So take a breath, find your starting point, and start planning that escape… at home! 🌴
Links mentioned in the show:
Shop Cerulean Bay's Online Market!
Planning Your Tropical Escape At Home
Tropical vs Coastal: Accents Will Determine Where You Land
Support Angel's Attic on Poshmark!