IT'S TIKI TIME! POLYNESIAN POP IS COOL AGAIN

It’s Tiki Time! Polynesian Pop is Cool Again

(ARA) - Though it has been decades since Bing Crosby sipped mai-tai’s poolside at Trader Vic’s, the South Pacific has found its way back into the American landscape -- this time in a fun-loving, island-style motif found in homes and gardens from Malibu to Minneapolis.

Evocative of the aloha spirit that swept post-war America in the late ‘40s and ‘50s, today’s interpretation of Polynesian Pop is decidedly nostalgic, featuring kitschy bamboo furnishings and colorful hula-girl lamps; vintage Hawaiian fabrics and frangipani-scented candles; tropical grass mats and framed ‘60s-era postcards from Hawaii or covers of old Surfer magazines.

Taking center stage in the world of Polynesian Pop, however, is anything Tiki-inspired, including live-fire Tiki torches made of bamboo, stainless or copper; ceramic Tiki mugs for sipping tropical drinks; and carved-wood Tiki statues that Pacific Islanders believed had distinctive personalities and godlike traits.

Tiki, in and around the home, adds a breezy island spirit that makes homeowners feel like they are on vacation year-round. And the design trend is way cool, even finding its way onto one of television’s hottest shows: A “Trading Spaces” design team recently transformed a drab San Diego bedroom into a tropical island paradise, complete with all the classic elements of Polynesian Pop: miniature Tiki statues and string lights, island-inspired bed linens and simple bamboo shades painted with a colorful sunset.

Devotees of Polynesian Pop tend to decorate their homes and gardens with an eclectic mix of vintage memorabilia and newer, retro-influenced pieces, layering the look for an authentic feel.

But where to start? Tiki Outdoor Natural Flame Lighting offers a range of deck and landscape torches, candles, party lights and other accessories for fabulous themed parties or year-round décor. The Royal Polynesian Bamboo Tiki and Tahitian Weave Tiki -- modernized versions of the original Bamboo torch -- Island Copper and various metal torches, Tiki Head Candles and Hawaiian Party Lights will create a tropical paradise in your own backyard.

Visit www.lamplightfarms.com for a complete selection of Tiki torches and other lighting accents for your yard and garden.

Courtesy of ARA Content