Garden Variety

There’s something about summer that makes us yearn for a white-sands getaway in an exotic locale. But nice as that is, it’s a temporary fix—which is why we’re bringing the tropical vibes into our home this season using oversized straw or rattan baskets as plant pots for a bohemian, desert-chic vibe, succulents (they’re still big) and, on the fauna side of things, toucans, which have replaced flamingos as the tropical bird du jour. Below, a roundup of our top picks to bring the leafy-green outdoors in and boost your sense of well-being, stat! —Isabel Ong

wild card. Flamingo prints may be ubiquitous, but there’s a new “hot” bird in town: The toucan. “We looked at Costa Rica for inspiration and found that the toucan is a refreshing update to the flamingo. It’s so full of character,” says Stephen Michlits, PC Home Collection’s creative lead. The PC bamboo fibre tropical collection of dinnerware (from $3 at Real Canadian Superstore), which features this feathered friend, will surely infuse an air of flamboyant tropical living at mealtimes.

palm reading. Tropical prints add a lively, playful dimension to marble motifs. As Michlits explains, "The lush green colours of tropical florals contrast well with cooler, crisper Carrara marble.” The vibrant fronds on the this Life at Home bath dispenser and soap dish ($10 and $8 at Real Canadian Superstore) will jazz up the tiles in your bathroom or kitchen beautifully.

shooting the breeze. If backyard barbecues and pool parties are your ideal version of summer, Indigo’s tropical print outdoor pillow ($35) will make a great addition to your patio or garden. Made of water-repellent cotton, the colourful botanical leaf prints aren’t run-of-the-mill —which is why we can’t take our eyes off it.

quiet time. Throw out your plain (read: boring) bedsheets in favour of Levtex’s Carmen quilt (from $133 at Nordstrom). Strewn with a variety of botanical prints, it’s a fun way to inject a breath of fresh air into the bedroom with minimal fuss.

totally floored. Bright hues make a world of difference in any interior. This cheery peach-coloured rug (from $62 at Anthropologie) comes with mini palm-leaf prints in varying shades of green, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.

frame work. For folks who don’t have green thumbs, there’s still hope (in the form of wall art, that is). Spanish illustrator Veronica Grech’s stylishly modern print (from $34 at Urban Outfitters) is a botanical attention-grabber—and you’ll never need to water it.

jungle fever. Those #jungalowstyle images on Insta often have this in common: floral wallpaper. Versace Home‘s Giungla-edition paper ($240 per roll) is infused with bohemian flair, serving as the perfect backdrop for a black-or-green-tie party.

throwing shade. This adorable cotton lampshade ($148 at Anthropologie), featuring embroidered etchings of cockatoos amid colourful wildflowers, would make a fun addition to any living room set-up. The best part? You can change up the lampshade display at any time just by swiveling it horizontally.

paradise lost. Missing those sun-soaked days you spent in Hawaii? Invite the tropics in with these gorgeous prints ($215 each at The Cross). At 31 inches tall and framed in wood, they’re large enough to command attention without dwarfing other points of interest in the room.

parks and rec. Now that longer daylight hours are (finally) here, it’s time to invest in sturdy-yet-stylish outdoor furniture. Made of rattan, this beautifully crafted Birds of Paradise chair ($850 at The Cross) is a fine way to spend many a slow summer evening out on the porch.

emerald city. If you prefer not to go down the print-heavy route, opt for furnishings in rich colours that are equal parts lush and luxe. German designer Sebastian Herkner’s Merwyn dining chairs (from $2,050 at Avenue Road) come in emerald-green upholstery, and their sleek, contemporary profiles only add to their allure.

wild thing. Want furniture that looks like it belongs in an art gallery? This show-stopper of a dining-room table (from $21,135 at Avenue Road), created by French designer Vic-toria Wilmotte, has a faceted stainless-steel base in a striking topaz green, while the marbled tabletop surface epitomizes elegance. We’re sold.