Post #274795 by woofmutt on Sun, Dec 24, 2006 9:01 AM

The old English world travelling gentleman's club is the way to go. You can bring a lot of Tiki into that look but it should be more museum type "serious" pieces...Paddles, clubs, spears, New Guinean masks, formally framed pieces of tapa cloth. Fortunately for this look African pieces would incorporate nicely (and they're easier to find at the import shops).

I don't care for white walls either, but since so much of your wall space is already wood, brick, or bookshelves I don't think it's an issue here. (Except the bar/kitchen wall.) I would lose the plaid curtains and replace them with a solid color that's similar to the tone of the couch and chairs. Same with the curtains by the glass doors. In both cases you could do a double rod system with a cream lightweight curtain behind the dark ones. That would allow you to let in a lot of light, and add some privacy. The curtains over the window by the bookshelves should be a little longer and a little wider. They can come almost all the way to the bookshelf below. Bamboo shades would look good incorporated into the window covering, but mainly for the exotic element, not function.

Move the wine rack to the top of one of the tall bookshelves. That will give you the low shelf for more cool stuff. Don't worry about asymmetry, the look of the world travelling gentleman's club is that stuff was put wherever there was room fro it as it was brought back.

Dress up the bookshelves. Keep your eye out for inexpensive old book with decorative spines on them. Take the loud dust jackets off other books. (Keep them stored neatly in a box.) Align all the spines of the books to the edge of the shelves. Add interesting objects among the books. Stick all the CDs, DVDs, tapes, and whatever on a lower inconspicuous shelf. Get a lot of interesting boxes and baskets for storing the odds and ends in . (This is a good idea for the whole room and a way to incorporate more exotic finishes..Bamboo, rattan, etc...Into the room.)

The coffee table could be traded out for a more exotic one, look for something bamboo in a dark finish. The current end tables could get new tops instead of the glass or put tapa cloth beneath the glass.

Get some different throw pillows. Zebra or leopard would be good, or a heavily textured natural toned fabric. Stick to one or two kinds so it pulls everything together.

Move the fish to the center of the wall it's on, and slightly higher. It's a strong dramatic piece and should be the center of attention.

Rather than hanging a lot of odds and ends from the ceiling I would stick to a few larger pieces (fish traps mainly) or look into one large impressive piece, an outrigger canoe would be ideal. Hard to find, but one could be commissioned or made yourself. As it won't be a functioning piece it could be made of any lightweight material.

Get a lot more tropical plants, real or fake. Large ones would be ideal.

If the carpet is in good shape it's not that big of a design issue. Especially as a large area rug would be a good idea. If the carpet needs replaced a new surface in a medium tone would be idea.

As for the FUN Tiki: As far as I can see your bar and kitchen are a blank slate. The bar side of the den could be a little more sober (There's LOTS of room for a thatch or bamboo "awning" over the whole arch/opening, and a wider bar top could be added), but the kitchen side can be full of 1000 Tiki mugs if you want. And the motorcycle lamp. And the Miller sign.