CERULEAN BAY®
Tropical Escapes at Home!
A podcast about creating your own personal tropical retreat!
Tune in for awesome ideas, tips and some fun auditory adventures as you get inspired to create your own personal tropical escape!
Welcome to "Tropical Escapes At Home", the premium podcast created just for you! Have you ever returned home from an amazing tropical vacation or dreamed of escaping to an exotic island and wished you could capture that same intoxicating vibe right in your own home? Join Tom from Cerulean Bay he as takes you on a journey to capture the beauty and relaxation of the tropics and bring them into your everyday life. From discovering authentic tropical artistry to entertaining in true island style, you can discover amazing inspiration and tips for creating your very own tropical escape and lifestyle. It’s all about creating that perfect balance of tropical beauty, comfort, and tranquility which will help you to unwind and recharge. Your own personal tropical retreat will only be steps away!
Breathe. Relax. Imagine.
Intro - Bring Home The Tropics
Here is a quick intro to our new show, Tropical Escapes At Home. Let's create your own tropical paradise!
Guest Episode!
Inside the Art of Fused Glass: A Visit with Fusion Glass Artist, Kevin O'Sullivan
Kevin O’Sullivan, a glass fusion artist and the creative force behind A&O Custom Glass Art in San Diego joins Tom from Cerulean Bay to discuss how he transforms glass into beautiful home décor and wearable art while sharing his inspirations and techniques which make each piece uniquely his own. He shares the artistic influences that shape his design approach as well as the types of glass he uses to create these beautiful pieces. You can find Kevin at A&O Custom Glass Art and on Facebook. You can support his work through requests for commissioned pieces and by visiting with him in person at local events in San Diego, CA. You can also find some of his jewelry work and his sushi sets in our online shop!
Guest Episode!
Transform Your Home with Tropical Interior Design - Featuring Amy Barrickman
Looking to bring the beauty and relaxation of the tropics into your home? In this episode, we dive deep into tropical interior design inspirations from color palettes and textures to décor ideas and layout tips with Amy Barrickman who is incredibly talented, fun, and so knowledgeable! Amy joins Tom to discuss how to find and use tropical inspiration in your interior design, tips for choosing the right interior designer for your vision, and insights on creating a cohesive, tropical-inspired spaces. Amy also provides affordable ideas to transform your home into a paradise. So whether you're redesigning a room or transforming your whole home into a beachy tropical escape, this episode is packed with practical advice, design secrets, and creative inspiration.
Be sure to get Amy's book, The Living Room Design Formula, you can get Amy's awesome gallery wall tips, and you can visit Amy at Barrickman Design! We hope you enjoy this week's episode!
Episode #20- Full Length Episode! 10 Dreamy Bedroom Ideas Inspired By The Tropics
Ready to bring the island vibes straight into your home? If so, let's dive into 10 dreamy tropical bedroom ideas to help you transform your space into a personal paradise! Whether you are craving bold colors and lush patterns or you prefer a minimal, airy vibe, we're covering styles that range from neutral and elegant to wild and jungle-inspired.
Your bedroom is the most personal room in your home — your sanctuary to unwind at night and wake up refreshed. So why not make it your own tropical escape?
We’ll explore:
🌿 Ways to go bold with botanical prints and vibrant artwork
🪴 How to keep it light, minimal, and serene
🏝️ Mixing textures for rustic island charm
🖼️ Creating cozy, jungle-like vibes with wallpaper, plants, and earthy accents
🛏️ Why your bedroom should feel like your happy place — every single day
This episode is full of inspiration with flexibility — we give you the ideas, and you make them your own!
Episode #19- Full Length Episode! Tropical Tranquility: Creating a Serene Island Inspired Bathroom Oasis
If you love the idea of escaping to an exotic tropical island and losing yourself in the tranquility and peacefulness that comes with being there, you can bring those peaceful vibes straight into your home! Believe it or not, the bathroom is an ideal place to start because it’s usually the first stop every morning after you wake up and the last stop before going to bed at night. So why not literally start your day and then end your day with an awesome tropical experience?
Join Tom from Cerulean Bay as he explores a wide range of inspiration and ideas about how to turn your bathroom into an amazing tropical escape! Be sure to check out our blogposts about transforming your bathroom and about indoor tropical plants as these are both critical to hitting the mark the first time and avoiding mistakes! You too can embrace the look and feel of the tropics right at home!
Episode #18- Full Length Episode - Cooking In Paradise! Create Your Tropical Kitchen Escape!
Ready to bring a slice of paradise into your home? Join Tom from Cerulean Bay as he explores how to transform your kitchen into a tropical escape inspired by the beach, the jungle, and the serene beauty of island life. Whether you’re dreaming of ocean breezes or rainforest vibes, he will break down the key elements that will help you create a warm, inviting, and vibrant kitchen that truly feels like your personal tropical retreat.
🏝️ What You’ll Learn:
- The best natural materials to incorporate, including wood, stone, and rattan
- How to use bold tropical colors like jungle greens, ocean blues, and sunset-inspired hues
- Tips on selecting vibrant accents and artwork that make the space pop
- Backsplash inspiration: ceramic, glass mosaic, hand-painted, and stone tile options that complete the look
- How to bring the same tropical style outdoors for your patio or outdoor kitchen setup
🎧 So tune in and get inspired to design your own tropical kitchen oasis!
Guest Episode! How to Travel the World for FREE (Tim Walker Reveals Insider Secrets!)
Today’s episode is a must-watch for anyone who dreams of seeing the world not only without spending a fortune, but doing it for FREE! Tim Walker from Travel Multiplier joins Tom to explain how you can can unlock the secrets to traveling for free—and trust us, it’s more real and achievable than you might think. Forget everything you thought you knew about budget travel.
Our guest is going to share real strategies, break down the myths, and give you actionable advice that could get you on the road sooner than you think—without breaking the bank. Whether it's free flights, free hotels and resorts, free car rentals or free cruises, this episode covers it all. You’ll walk away inspired and equipped with new tools to make your travel dreams a reality.
So buckle up—this could change the way you travel forever! Be sure to visit with Tim at Travel Multiplier to learn you YOU can truly travel for free!
Episode #17- Bonus Full Length Episode! Let There Be Light! Mastering Interior Lighting for Tropical Escapes
🌴 In this second episode, we’re diving deep into the awesome world of exterior lighting for tropical spaces: patios, outdoor living rooms, pool areas, everywhere in your outdoor space!
We’ll break down the key elements of exterior lighting design that will turn your outdoor space into a wonderful tropical getaway, including:
- 🌅 Ambient and accent lighting - what they are and how to layer them like a pro
- 💡 Types of fixtures - from hanging lanterns, string bistro lights and tiki bar lighting, to uplights, walkway and stair lighting, the type of fixtures you use are key to creating that amazing tropical atmosphere
- ✨Tropical Styling - how to create awesome visual effects with warm and colored uplighting as well as wall washing to highlight beautiful fence and wall spaces
Whether you're revamping a beach house or just want a touch of the tropics in your home, this episode is packed with tips to make your outdoor space feel like a relaxed exotic resort that is visually stunning!
Episode #16- Bonus Full Length Episode! Let There Be Light! Mastering Interior Lighting for Tropical Escapes
Ready to bring that sun-soaked, breezy island vibe into your home?
🌴 In this episode, we’re diving deep into the vibrant world of interior lighting for tropical spaces—and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds! We’ll break down the key elements of lighting design that turn any space into a tropical retreat, including:
🌅 Ambient, task, and accent lighting - what they are and how to layer them like a pro
💡 Lighting temperature tips - from warm whites to cool tones and how they impact mood and style
✨Tropical Styling - how to include lighting fixtures as decor pieces into your tropical space
Whether you're revamping a beach house or just want a touch of the tropics in your home, this episode is packed with tips to make your space feel relaxed, radiant, and resort-ready!
Guest Episode! Healthy Landscaping For Tropical Escapes with Guest Matthieu Mehuys
Matthieu Mehuys, a master landscape architect and award winning author joins Tom from Cerulean Bay to discuss how to create tropical gardens and landscaping without the use of chemicals and how to keep them weed-free! Matthieu also provides tips for keeping your soil properly balanced and how to protect your tropical plants when cold weather sets in.
For those who love plants and want to learn more about how to use them and keep them healthy in outdoor spaces, join one of Matthieu's in-depth masterclasses where you will learn a lot with a community of others who love plants and landscaping too!
Episode #15- Tropical Rugs - What To Choose & Mistakes To Avoid
Who knew that there could be so much to know about tropical rugs? Today we will take you through everything you need to know about rug types, sizes, how they are made and what they are made of. We also cover where to place them, how to care for them, and what to avoid. So tune in and then after the show, get out there and find some awesome tropical rugs for your tropical escape! You can find more details about rugs and how to use them in our blogpost. You can also learn more about color palettes and how to to use them along with other decor ideas! Enjoy!
Episode #14- Tropical Styling Tips - Wood Furnishing Inspirations
Tropical styling is all about knowing which specific furnishings and decor pieces are needed to create the perfect tropical escape for you at home! Today we will look at a few regional influences used in furniture design along with the types of wood and other materials that are used to create different pieces. This will help you to stay on track as you plan your space and to keep things as authentic as possible!
Episode #13 - Part 2 -Different Tiki Design Styles
Today we are continuing on with different tiki design styles! Of the 7 we have identified, now we are getting into the lost island headhunter look, old nautical and pirates, and the laid back surfer "flipflops under a thatched roof" look. As mentioned, we have a lot of great imagery and additional details in our blog posts about different tiki design styles and in our tiki design guide. So let's get into it and find that awesome tiki inspiration!
Episode #12 - Part 1 -Different Tiki Design Styles
Who knew that there are so many different tiki design styles? We have identified 7 and will share those with you in this episode and in the next one too! Tiki is awesome and we have a whole lot of inspiration just for you! We have a lot of great imagery and additional details in our blog posts about different tiki design styles and in our tiki design guide. So listen here to find out even more!
Episode #11 - Tiki Culture: Appreciation or Appropriation?
Tiki has a very interesting past and history. Along the way, there have been concerns about it being a topic of cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation. We have dug into the details and can assure you that if you understand what tiki is and how it came into being, that it is an art form that can be both appreciated and celebrated. We hope you enjoy this episode! You can check out our blog post for more details!
Episode #10 - What Is Tiki?
The history of tiki and how this piece of American culture came to be is such an awesome topic and today, we are diving into it! There are a lot of aspects to this design style and fun way of entertaining, too many to cover in one episode. So come back again next week as we will touch on cultural appreciation versus appropriation and the actual design elements of tiki. These can be used to either accent your tropical space or to build a full on tiki escape! In the meantime, dive into what tiki is all about with us and check out our blog post on today's adventure!
Episode #9 - Palms And Other Indoor Tropical Plants - Can They Survive Outside Too?
Today we take a close look at tropical plants and landscaping and how they create that sense of awe and relaxation when you visit hotels and resorts in tropical locations. We also look at what can be grown indoors to help recreate that amazing tropical atmosphere! We talk about different palms and how those are great for indoor tropical spaces as well as their cold tolerance because eventually many of them do have to be moved outside. If they are doing great, they will become too big to keep indoors as some point! We've also got lots of info for you as well in our blog posts about indoor plants and those for the outdoors as well!
Episode #8 - Crafting Your Tropical Escape: DIY Tips for Outdoor Retreats, Part 2
Welcome to Part 2 of DIY Tips for Outdoor Retreats! Today we pick up where we left off in Part 1 and touch on smaller spaces such as balconies and small patios. We also have some awesome tips for using cinderblocks to create seating and planter spaces in addition to recommendations for in-ground and potted landscaping. And we discuss the need for outdoor lighting too, we loving lighting! So, yes, this show is packed full of information and you can find some really cool imagery and additional details in our Outdoor DIY blogpost. So kick back, listen, and get some great ideas and inspiration for creating your outdoor tropical escape!
Episode #7 - Crafting Your Tropical Escape: DIY Tips for Outdoor Retreats, Part 1
Today we are getting into the details of DIY outdoor projects, depending on how handy you are! If you aren't that handy and would prefer to call in the pros, no worries! We split the show into 2 episodes because we have that much info we want to share, including advice about utility easements (we know, not very exciting!) but very important nonetheless. Part 2 will follow this episode and will wrap up what we have for you about this topic. We hope you will be that much more inspired to create your own outdoor tropical escape after these 2 shows!
Episode #6 - Why Tropical Home Accent Decor Is So Important!
Tropical home accents and accessories are the decor pieces that bring your home to life. In this episode, we discuss how rooms with foundational pieces (sofas, bedroom and dining room furniture) are left lifeless and on their own if you don't have the right decor elements which will complete the look and breathe life into your tropical escape! Check out our blog post for more details and some great visual examples!
Episode #5 - The Ultimate Guide to Finding Awesome Deals for Pre-Owned Tropical Home Decor!
Join us on our journey through thrift stores, consignment shops and estate sales as we take a close look at how these three sources of cool stuff work, what you can expect to find, and how you can create your tropical escape at home for a lot less money than you would think!
Episode #4 - Designing Your Tropical Retreat With Heart: The Power of Sentimental Value
Sentimental value and how it transforms your tropical-inspired space into a meaningful, personal paradise. Discover why incorporating personal memories, family heirlooms, meaningful travel keepsakes, and emotional connections into your tropical décor makes your home sanctuary not only beautiful but soul-nourishing.
🌴 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why sentimental value is the secret ingredient in creating true relaxation
How to choose meaningful objects that align with tropical themes
Easy ways to blend memories with tropical design elements
Examples of sentimental additions that elevate any room
Whether you're designing a tropical bedroom, spa-inspired bathroom, or island-style living room, this episode will help you go beyond the surface and create a retreat that resonates deeply.
Episode #3 - The Basics Of Tropical Design Elements
Explore the basics in tropical design elements! We cover colors, lighting, plants and textures. It's a lot of great info! Enjoy!
Episode #2 - Tropical vs Coastal Designs: Which One Really Speaks To You?
Today we take a close look at what tropical and coastal designs look like and the big differences between them. Know which design styles and accent pieces are the right ones for you! Check out our blog for some great pics and details!
Episode #1 - Creating Your Own Tropical Escape At Home!
Join us as we let you know who we are, what Cerulean Bay is all about, and why we are doing this. We hope you like it and that you will come with us on this journey to tropical fun, style, and relaxation at home!
CERULEAN BAY®
Welcome
Now that we know each other better and if you have decided Cerulean Bay® is where you want to be, WELCOME! We hope you enjoy our site and that you discover more about the wonderful places that have inspired us! We hope you will connect more deeply with your tropical dreams and become inspired to create your own tropical escape at home!