Modern Tropical Lifestyle In Home, Fashion and Tabletop
Apr 27, 2026
The Creative Brief in the creative industry guides our direction for the brand imagery. I do LOVE getting a Creative Brief in our Pre-Production meetings. Since I photo style lifestyle, (including home, food and fashion) I do a style deep dive into the creative vision. In this Creative Brief, we are focusing on Modern Tropical Style in lifestyle.
Modern Tropical incorporates natural elements in our home, our tabletop and our fashion. Formerly, tropical brought up images of bright and big ~ vibrant colors, big patterns, large palm plants and jungle patterns. Now, we are seeing a quieter (quiet luxury) to the tropical style. Modern tropical aesthetic approaches tropical with clean lines, modern furniture silhouettes and softer palettes. Yes, we still see rattan, cane, and grass weaves ~ but in a more subtle way.
When I do the deep dive, creative vision-seeking, a strong influence in modern tropical is Johanna Ortiz. (Cover photo is Johanna Ortiz.) While you may not be looking for fashion in modern tropic, (you may be looking at home interior) you can gain such inspiration for environment in which the fashion photo shoots happen ~ the location, the props, the furniture ~ it will generally speak to the entire tone. Look for your inspiration everywhere ~ fashion, home, food and tabletop ~ to give yourself an immersive take on the aesthetic to bring it to life in your home.
MODERN TROPICAL HOME
Tropical Leopard Pillow
Palm Wall Paper
White Lotus Duvet Cover
Appuntito Ceramic Lamp
Grasscloth Cabinet
Mirror
MODERN TROPICAL TABLETOP
Canape Utensils
Ruffle Bowls
Green Napkin Set
Asymmetrical Glass Bowl
Johanna Ortiz Home
Perigold Sea and Sand Dinnerware
MODERN TROPICAL FASHION
Johanna Ortiz Palm Kimono
Handpainted Tropic Earrings
Saint Laurent Tote Bag
Saint Laurent Beaded Wood Tote
Johanna Ortiz Ankle Dress
Zimmermann Solena Platform
When styling luxe and elegant modern tropical, I look to these brands for inspiration.
Restoration Hardware
While Restoration Hardware is not a have a "modern tropical" category, their pieces are luxury and modern and can be used as a base for elegant tropical with tropical pieces. Also, as I ALWAYS say . . . look to unexpected places. Restoration Hardware Teen and Children has BEAUTIFUL pieces that can be "tropical".
Johanna Ortiz
Johanna Ortiz offers both fashion and home that are tropical in vibe. Their beautiful photography will give you ideas and inspiration (& pieces!) to bring this style to life in your own life.
Look to India Hicks, Interior Designer, books for beautiful ideas and modern tropical inspiration.
Bonnie ~
Cover Image Credit │ Johanna Ortiz
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