In the jungle

Temperatures are rising, but in our heart of hearts, we know it’s not wise in Britain to believe that’s a guarantee of more scorching days to come.
Crazy Banana Sunset.  PA Photo/Handout.Crazy Banana Sunset.  PA Photo/Handout.
Crazy Banana Sunset. PA Photo/Handout.

Indoors, however, is another matter. By embracing tropical style you can conjure your very own exotic sanctuary, and sit back and bask in paradise all year long.

Think jungle foliage murals and wallpapers, scorched earth colours like red russet, deep fuchsia pink and glowing orange, reminiscent of holiday evening sunsets.

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Add to the illusion of that sun-baked setting with fashionable fun touches, from pineapple lamps to cactus vases and perching parrots. Granted, there’s a retro, kitsch feel to this decor style, but interpreted in a modern way - less is more is certainly the rule here - you can rest assured this is truly on-trend.

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Conjure an oasis of calm with lush foliage and an array of exotic birds.

“The big leaf tropical look was originally made popular by Don Loper at his Beverly Hills Hotel in 1942, and this style of leafy wallpaper has since then become of the most recognisable wall coverings in the world. Currently there’s a huge demand for that type of aesthetic,” says designer Robin Sprong, who creates wallpapers featuring incredible imagery, including garden and jungle scenes.

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“Our Crazy Banana wallpaper range aims to reflect its origins, while reflecting those trend shades of greens, emeralds and gemstones, so that it’s highly sophisticated yet very retro, and brings the foliage of the garden and jungle indoors.”

Take a walk on the wild side with a striking wallpaper from the Forest collection at Robin Sprong, from around £212.40 a roll, which is so realistic you’d swear you could step into its rich green jungle landscape.

Young designer Miki Rose’s Jungle Print Wallpaper features palm leaves, parrots, monkeys and a toucan, and is currently reduced from £125 to £93.75 a roll, from Graduate Collection.

If those are too hot and steamy, simply make a statement with paint. There’s a Luscious Lime from the Dulux Feature Wall collection, £13.83 for 1.25L, B&Q.

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The price could instantly raise your temperature, but the Metro chair from Delcor in Christian Lacroix’s palm leaf print, Soft Jardin Exo’Chic Rainette, £2,413, is stunning.

Surround yourself with appropriate accessories, such as Jungle Plates, adorned with cockatoos, pelicans, parrots and toucans, £6.50 each, Rose & Grey.

My favourite fun details are from Rigby & Mac: Ceramic Cactus Vases, £19.95 to £39.95; Colourful Parrot Porcelain Jug, £45; Exotic White Porcelain Pineapple Jug, £34.95, and White Ceramic Wall Parrot, £18.

Refresh your palette with a cocktail of citrus shades and quirky, fruit-themed accessories.

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“Summer may only just have arrived, but we’ve been enjoying the heat in interiors trends all year. There’s a trend for bright neons and sunshine yellow accents in interiors and fabrics; wallcoverings and accessories take on a tropical theme,” says Katharine Maclaverty, co-founder of Rigby & Mac.

“Think banana leaf pattern, pineapple decorations, kitsch flamingo prints and decorations, palm tree lamps and exotic ornamental birds. Go all out and create Hollywood mid-century glamour, with statement pieces, bold jungle prints, fun tropical accessories and a liberal smattering of warm gold metallics.

“The Seventies revival in fashion is mirrored in interiors, and with it has come the trend for indoor gardening, cacti, succulents and terrariums. The modern way to pull off this look is with natural materials - think reclaimed wood and stone - copper accents and a largely monochrome base. Don’t break out with orange shagpile carpet just yet though - Tropicalia is the inspiration, but you don’t want to recreate Elvis’s jungle room!”

Invest in this gorgoeus Robin Sprong paper, Crazy Banana Sunset, £212.40 a roll, with its splashes of orange and yellow.

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This look encourages relaxation and zoning out, and there’s no easier way to do that than by lolling in a hammock. La Siesta Double Red And Orange Brazilian Hammock Copa, with Neptuno Stand, £269.80, Viva Lagoon.

For a more conventional look, stretch out on a super squishy Pudding Sofa, upholstered in burnt orange cotton velvet, £1,195, Loaf.

Give rooms a fruity outlook too. The Window Film Company have a pineapple design (FB021), from £30.

Pineapples currently rule in decor, and Maiden’s Pineapple Lamp, £65, is a beauty, while Dar Lighting’s Palm Table Lamp Gold Base, £69.50 (shade sold separately), is truly decadent, and wouldn’t look out of place in any luxurious, desert hideaway.

Complete the scene with an Abigail Ahern Edition Orange Camel Cushion, £35, Debenhams, and a Pink Paradise Framed Print featuring a sweet flamingo, £47, Red Candy.

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