Rossferry is our tropical retreat located on Sandy Lane in Barbados, overlooking the Caribbean Sea. There was originally a well-loved house, but the island’s high salty winds, insects and rudimentary plumbing heralded the need for a total rebuild.
As you enter the property, you are greeted by a coral-stone driveway lined with Cabbage Palms leading up to a pair of 18th century carved Indian doors, through which you can see straight through the house and out to the blue ocean beyond.
The house has large open-plan spaces, which are ideal for entertaining and lounging. It also allows the sea air to flow freely, and the hummingbird buzz to echo through the space.
As you enter the drawing room, there is an explosion of colour. Raspberry pink tones dominate the space. The textured coral-stone walls provide a calm backdrop for a mix of colourful furniture and textiles. The sofa and armchairs have been upholstered in Rubelli’s ‘Gloria’ fabric, which has a wonderful carefree floral pattern.
Throughout the house, we have opted for raw materials, such as drift wood pendant lamps and oversized mud bead sculptures. The walls are a local coral stone and the wooden floor boards have a lovely light wash, leaving the rooms feeling bright and airy.
In the hallway, graphic artworks by Breon O’Casey are grouped above a 19th-century fruitwood console. Either side of the console are a pair of Ikat-covered vintage armchairs, and shell sconces by Porta Romana on the walls.
The high-pitched tongue and groove ceiling has been painted in Designers Guild’s ‘Island Hibiscus’, which is a fun accent and draws the eye up, making the space seem taller and airier. The driftwood pendants stand out against the bright pink, adding to the home’s tropical mood – as do the lamp bases covered in rope and seashells.
The outdoor sitting room is open on three sides to make the most of the ocean views. A bespoke Vanderhurd rug anchors the space and ties together the green and blue hues.
Small details such as the seashell picture frames and rustic drift-wood table bases all reflect the connection with island life. The shutters have been painted in a bright lime green, which connects you to the outside terrace where rich, saturated lime hues dominate.
The ceiling is painted in Designers Guild ‘Indian Ocean’, a vibrant turquoise to echo the Caribbean sea. A mix of coral-inspired, African and shell-covered lamps work with my ‘Willow’ fabric for Christopher Farr on the armchair.
While the sitting room and other entertaining areas remain the heart of the home, the bedrooms have been created with quiet and privacy in mind. We designed them to be like little cabanas so when guests stay, you can be as together or as apart as you like.
In this bedroom, my ‘Friendly Flowers’ fabric is teamed with ‘Inside Out’ on the valance. Above the elaborately decorated shell chest of drawers by Mimi, is a vibrant artwork by Anna Raymond.
In the bathrooms, Arabescato marble lines the walls and top a custom-designed vanity. We lined the floor with inlaid pebbles to provide a natural, non-slip floor.
The inspiration for Rossferry came from the local culture and lush tropical surroundings of the Island. It is a place where you truly switch off – a place where you want to take off your shoes and never put them on again!
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