TRAVEL POST: Taking Cues From Tulum to Zush Up Your Home!

PHOTO: TULUM PATH- (at Maya Tulum)

Sharing Summer Design & Fashion Tips

For Your Home This Summer After

A Trip To Tulum, Mexico! 

guest post written by Tracy Gavant

photography by Tracy Gavant

Along Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, Tulum has become a haven for global travelers and hipsters alike who are drawn to the laid-back bohemian vibe it evokes. Tulum is a welcoming alternative to the larger resorts in nearby Cancun and Playa del Carmen. During a recent visit to two very different properties, I returned not only relaxed but also inspired with fresh ideas for my own personal fashion style as well as for my home this summer.  

First stop was The Maya Tulum, a seaside yoga and wellness retreat resembling a Mayan village with thatched-roof bungalows and winding sandy paths. Perched along the Caribbean sea, the resort offers a nurturing escape from reality with yoga classes twice daily, spa treatments inspired by ancient Mayan traditions, and fresh authentic Mexican cuisine.

PHOTO: MAYA TULUM ROOM

Next we visited the Jashita Hotel which is a chic luxury boutique hotel nestled in a private cove on Soliman Bay.  The Italian owners have exquisite taste, and they created a sophisticated yet warm atmosphere that exudes understated, comfortable elegance.  

PHOTO: JASHITA RECEPTION

11 Bohemian Design and Lifestyle

Tips Straight From Tulum--
1. Handmade Touches bring warmth to a home. I loved the personal touch of the hand-painted Mexican pottery in my room at The Maya Tulum. I also found several beautiful handmade children’s toys in the local shops in town.

HAND PAINTED POTTERY , TULUM HANDMADE TOUCH

2. Outdoor Woven Hammocks are popular in Tulum, and these particular white handmade macrame versions create an architectural element of sorts to the outdoor space at The Jashita.  They hug the body and literally rocked me to sleep.  If you have ample outdoor space, The Maya Tulum’s  row of colorful hammocks under a beamed structure offer a whimsical design statement as well as a shady alternative to outdoor chaises.

WHITE HAMMOCK ROW (OR WHITE HAMMOCKS IF PREFER), COLORED HAMMOCKS

3. Colorful Fruit Platters were offered up daily at The Maya Tulum, and they are a refreshing snack. Arranged and cut up summer fruit offered to your guests make a dramatic presentation, not to mention a healthy snack option in the middle of the day.

FRESH FRUIT PLATTER

4. I noted the value of Simple Luxurious Touches, like an ice cold washcloth and a refreshing smoothie, and how these indulgences could have a lasting impact when welcoming summer guests in my home. After a long plane and taxi ride, these were a welcoming way to be greeted upon our arrival at The Maya Tulum.

COLD WASHCLOTH

5. It's a powerful aesthetic to hang a half Canopy Over A Bed, and at The Jashita this softens the modern look. They utilized Mosquito Netting in the cottages at The Maya Tulum  which provided a billowing, tropical island feel, and with the added bonus of the ceiling fan whirring above, I felt nestled in a cocoon!

JASHITA ROOM, MAYA TULUM ROOM

6. Spiritual and Medicinal Symbols like buddhas and dream catchers were plentiful in Tulum, and these accents and touches would add greatly to the positive energy in a home as well.

JASHITA BUDDHA, TULUM BUDDHA, TULUM DREAMCATCHER

7. All throughout Tulum, we noticed beautifully whitewashed, weathered areas with a natural, worn patina yet combined with a Pop of Vibrant Color. This gave me some great ideas for my outdoor garden.

TULUM BLUE CHAIR, TULUM YELLOW DOOR

8. Summer Fashion in Tulum is all about sheer, flowing fabric, breathable textiles in soft hued patterns.

9. Taking cues from our trip, we like the idea of adding some zip to a neutral seating area by Layering, Textured And Patterned Pillows.  

10. Interior Curtains are a chic way to break up two adjoining areas while creating a soft flow from room-to-room. This is great for large spaces that feel too open, and bring some warmth, and we loved these!

JASHITA LOBBY

11. Floor Pillows double as a bohemian design element as well as provide extra seating.  Whether seaside, poolside or just escaping to your backyard, floor pillows instantly transform a home into your own private getaway.

HANGING ON COLORED HAMMOCKS, TG WHITE HAMMOCK

I have a feeling that I will have a “swingin summer’ after this trip to Tulum! Happy Travels, Tracy