Textures and styles of Caribbean interior design

Texture: noun. The surface characteristic of a fabric, the basic nature of something; the structure, form of a work of art. This issue of MACO Caribbean Living is filled with texture – from fine custom furnishings of Miami restaurants to the crumbling facades of Old Havana to the gleaming wood and glass of a giga-yacht. Interior designer Alison Antrobus (page 48) is a master of incorporating texture into design and in contrasting the light and delicate with the strong and vibrant. With spectacular projects under her belt such as Prime One Twelve and Badrutt’s Place in Miami, Antrobus is a leading name in the design business. Renowned architect Oscar Imbert from the Dominican Republic is famous for melding the vernacular with modern functionality. His melange of textures and styles is seen in “The Real Oscar Award” on page 22, showcasing a combination of thatch, palm and metal work. My friend Ian invited me aboard his giga-yacht Sherakhan which is a designer’s palace. The inlaid wooden floors and the glass staircase are glorious, the attention to detail pure genius. The materials chosen for the floors and ceilings compel one to caress each surface and just about groan with pleasure. One of my favourite features in this issue is on page 60. Juliet’s Barclay’s eye for texture has inspired “Feast for the Senses”, which celebrates the beauty in rusting doors, peeling walls, worn cobbles and crumbling plaster. Cuba itself provides a backdrop rich in tone and texture, from the fishing boats on the seashore to the torrential rains to even the dust of history. Each page of this issue has the “wow” factor. Let your senses be titillated as you linger over the pages. Have a sensual experience. Happy reading, Neysha Soodeen MACO Editor-in-Chief