INTERIOR INSPIRATION FROM SUGAR BEACH RESORT, MAURITIUS

A few weeks ago, I came back from the most amazing family holiday, relaxed and full of inspiration. We swam, snorkelled, went on a safari, ate delicious food and drank some of the coolest rum cocktails. It was a dream come true. It was my first time in Mauritius and at the heavenly Sugar Beach Resort. Looking back, the whole holiday feels like a distant dream now. One that I did not want to end! Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, but thanks to my heaving camera roll, I have wonderful memories to remember.

You may have guessed that the design details of the hotel influenced my decision to stay there. The location was also a huge factor. I’m a design lover, so I cannot imagine staying at a hotel that doesn’t inspire me. I like to surround myself with beautiful things at home, so of course I want to be able to do that when holidaying too. And the Sugar Beach Resort delivered! From the moment I walked in and saw those chic rattan pendants in the grand hallway, I knew that I had made the right choice. I loved the Bali-inspired theme throughout the hotel, paired with the plantation-style exterior.

Here’s how you can incorporate a bit of island life into your home too!

NATURE-INSPIRED

If you are inspired by island-style decor, you’ll love this hotel. I’m a firm believer that your surroundings should dictate your decorating style. It helps with the flow and adds cohesiveness between indoor and outdoor spaces. Pops of green, wall-hanging plants, flowers, and multiple different shades of wood go together so well in this interior scheme. I also love the linen-covered chandelier and the white linen chair. Linen is the perfect fabric for warmer climates, so why not extend it to upholstery and lighting too?

POPS OF COLOUR

I’m starting to experiment more with colour in my own home, so it was fascinating to see how the designers created contrasts by mixing bold and neutral colours throughout the hotel. The colourful feature wall looks striking with the white walls and a tall ceiling. The hanging plant pots add a bit of drama, and let’s not forget about the wallpapered ceiling, which is so on trend right now.

‘Atelier de Sens’, is the perfect place to discover your new favourite perfume (and yes, the pretty interiors help too). Thanks to a partnership with one of the oldest and best perfume manufacturers in France,  you can create a bespoke perfume using Atelier Galimard scents. I didn’t bother creating my personalised scent, as I fell in love with one of their new scents right away. ‘Si tu savais’ (in French “if you knew”) is the perfect summer scent. It reminds me of the South of France. I’d describe it as citrusy, floral and aquatic. It’s the best summer perfume I’ve bought in ages. I even got a bottle for my sister and she loves it!

CONTRAST COLOURS

This was the grand entrance to the hotel and it reminded me so much of modern Balinese-style interior design. Tropical boho decor looks right at home here. We are in Mauritius after all, I guess.  I love the contrast of dark walls and light rattan here. It’s such an understated and cosy look, don’t you think? The dark walls make the rattan pop and allow the shape of the pendant to stand out.

I love floral wallpaper at the moment and this floral wall mural certainly makes a statement. The light wooden furniture brightens the colour scheme and gives it a contemporary feel. I guess Scandi and Island Decor aren’t that different after all!

RATTAN x VELVET

I’m seeing a lot of velvet and rattan used together at the moment. It has a real boho-luxe look to it, so no wonder it’s gaining popularity. Again, I think it’s the contrast of materials that makes it so appealing here. Rattan looks relaxing and cosy, whereas velvet feels a lot more opulent. It also gives you a wonderful opportunity to get playful with brighter colours to bring a real wow factor to any space. I spotted some rattan chairs upholstered in sumptuous velvet in Heal’s on Tottenham Court Road recently, so I promise this trend is not only for people who live on a paradise island. I mean, there is nothing more iconic than the peacock chair, right?

PLANTS

Naturally, there were lots of tropical plants dotted around the hotel. Using the right type of plants indoors can give you that holiday feeling all year round. I especially loved seeing lots of water plants and colourful flowers around the hotel. You know the type we don’t normally see around here. Somehow, those flowers seem to last much longer too. I genuinely thought a few times about smuggling them over to the UK. Oh well, next time!

EXTERIOR & ARCHITECTURE

The exterior of the hotel was absolutely breathtaking. The staircase was like something out of a movie and it felt special every time I walked past it. You’ll never get tired of the Colonial-style architecture paired with palm trees and long beaches either. The resort felt very spacious and never crowded. It helps that it’s surrounded by tropical gardens and overlooks the Indian Ocean, offering you the best panoramic views. I never wanted to leave!

If you want to see more, check out the Mauritius Highlights on my Insta!