Bits of raffia, lots of color: It’s Caribbean party time

Dear loose ends: Our very dear friends are having their 25th wedding anniversary in August. They are taking a four-week cruise in the Caribbean, and a whole bunch of us, family and friends, have decided to throw a surprise barbecue/Caribbean Bon Voyage party as a sendoff. I need some hot ideas! —Melinda Ann, Salem

Dear Melinda Ann: Hot ideas huh? Well lucky for you, my husband, Art, and I were in Southern California last month where we had lunch in a fun, fabulous and funky place called the Cha Cha Chicken in Hollywood.

Nothing says Caribbean like wild, exuberant color. For a Caribbean Bon Voyage party, also add tropical plants, bamboo furniture, tiki torches and raffia skirting for making table “hula” skirts or fringe trims.

With a name like that, you know Caribbean was the name of the game, and that sort of got us into the same frame of mind, so let’s see what we can come up with.

Color, Color, COLOR!!! Nothing says Caribbean like wild, exuberant color. This is not the time to be conservative (or sometimes even tasteful). Go for the gusto here with hot pink, pomegranate orange, acid yellow, parrot green and, of course, Caribbean blue.

Whether you're looking for handmade paper, furniture, fabric or accessories, you will find it at loose ends. If it is unusual, organic and fabulous, then loose ends is the place. Showroom hours are 8 am to 5 pm weekdays and the first Saturday of each month 10 am - 3pm at 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, or visit us online at www.looseends.com Questions? Give us a call at (503) 390-2348.

So, what to paint? How about inexpensive plastic chairs, each painted a different island hue? Maybe cut swaths of cotton or canvas for the table covers with bright painted stripes? Large, inexpensive buckets or pails for holding ice, beer, soda, etc., also are likely candidates.

Check into the nearest garden center and buy basic fence pickets to paint alternating hot colors.

One of the ideas we borrowed from the chicken joint was lined up trash barrels, painted brilliant hues.

A few dramatic, well-placed tropical plants will go a long ways to saying “faraway places.” As I’ve mentioned in other articles, I am a big fan of tropical-looking plants, many of which do quite well in our climate, including certain species of banana trees.

If you aren’t really wanting to change your landscape design, consider talking to some of the local nurseries that have large potted tropicals. Often they are willing to rent these specimen-sized fellows for just such occasions.

And while we’re on the subject of plants, there are some great artificial ones out there, too, both green plants and colorful exotic flowers such as ginger, bird of paradise, cannas, etc. If you are OK with a bit of “kitsch,” you also can add some artificial parrots or toucans, perched in trees. One of the great joys of this type of theme is you can really get tacky if you want, and it just seems to add to the general festivities.

Sandi Reinke is an author, frequent television guest and lead designer for loose ends (www.loosends.com), a Salem-based interior décor, garden, and casual lifestyle company. To ask Reinke a decorating question, e-mail info@looseends.com or mail her at the showroom address, 2065 Madrona Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97302. Phone: 503-390-2348.

If you are using tents or large umbrellas, buy bulk raffia, lash huge hanks of this long grass together, then drape them over the tent/umbrella tops to make “palapa” roofs. Raffia skirting, which comes in very long lengths, also is great for making table “hula” skirts or fringe trims around patios, etc.

Tiki torches, of course, are fun, too. Although the very inexpensive ones are available at most home-improvement stores this time of year, if you do much outdoor entertaining, there are some beautiful ones on the market now in brass and/or copper that will last for years and look fabulous as they age.

Bamboo or grass placemats look great on hibiscus print tablecloths. Consider using shells in containers and/or on plates. There are a number of them perfect for holding finger food, as are coconut halves. Centerpieces can be something as simple as a large shell holding a votive candle or as elaborate as a floral confection of rare exotics. August 6, 2004