When Granny’s Jamaican House Becomes the Mood Board

The mahogany furniture that was built to last several lifetimes. The crocheted doilies strategically placed on every available surface. The tufted sofas and chairs that were definitely not for everyday sitting.

The cabinet filled with the “good” glasses and patterned china that nobody was allowed to touch. And, of course, those decorative lampshades. For years, many of us would have looked at these things and thought: old fashioned.

Put them on a mood board and suddenly they’re vintage, layered and chic. Welcome to the wonderful cycle of design, where what was once considered old can become the next big trend. In an old Jamaican home, dark, heavy wooden furniture was everywhere — dining tables, sideboards, coffee tables and those formidable chairs that seemed almost indestructible.

After years of lighter woods dominating event design, deeper wood tones are beginning to feel sophisticated again. Pair mahogany with contemporary florals, beautiful linens and modern lighting and it takes on an entirely different personality. Design details from your granny’s house are now a chic option for wedding décor.

We remember them as curtains blowing at the window or perhaps a tablecloth brought out when company was coming. Now those same textures can inspire gorgeous linens, napkins and decorative details for weddings. Styled correctly, they feel romantic and intentional rather than old-fashioned.

Those decorative fabric shades that were once a fixture in Jamaican living rooms are finding their way back into stylish interiors and event design. Table lamps are appearing on dinner tables, bars and lounge areas, creating a warm, intimate, residential feeling that overhead event lighting simply cannot replicate. Then there are the tufted sofas and chairs.