The Cabana Bungalow: Redefining Palm Beach Glamour at The Colony Hotel

WORKING THE ROOM | ROOMS & GARDENS | CABANA MAGAZINE

A rare opportunity to bring the pages of a magazine to life: Be the first to step inside Cabana’s newest endeavour, a richly decorated, fabric-draped bungalow at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, designed by Ashley Hicks and Martina Mondadori.

BY JAMIE SHARP | ROOMS & GARDENS | 22 JANUARY 2025

The Living Room, featuring woven poufs by Cabana x Magnetic Midnight, wicker furniture from Society Social Furniture, vintage Moroccan cushions, antique Chinese lacquer cabinet and three botanical paintings by Ashley Hicks, hung on top of Schumacher’s Blonde Raffia wallcovering.

When The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach extended an invitation to design one of their iconic bungalows, Editor-in-Chief Martina Mondadori and artist and decorator, Ashley Hicks, knew it was an opportunity not to be missed.

For the Cabana team, stepping into the realm of decoration was both a natural progression and an exciting challenge. With a decade of archival inspiration and a network of extraordinary craftspeople, the project was poised to be a testament to Cabana’s distinct mood and aesthetic. Read on to discover Cabana's design inspirations and choices of furniture, fabrics and more. 

The Starting Point: Design Legacy

The Dining Room, featuring curtains in Schumacher’s Wentworth Embroidery and Piet Performance Linen, faux bamboo chairs from Social Society Furniture and tableware designed by Cabana: Floral porcelain produced by Ginori 1735 and the Hibiscus Tablecloth in Pink.

Palm Beach’s legacy of design, a small geographic footprint with an outsized influence, offered the perfect starting point. The Colony Hotel, a symbol of old-world elegance, evokes visions of white wicker, palm-leaf prints, and pastel hues: a playful yet refined glamour reminiscent of Dorothy Draper. While honoring this heritage, Cabana introduced its signature Italian perspective, creating an antiques filled interior that seamlessly blended tradition with bold new ideas.

Fabric Draped Rooms

The Primary Bedroom, featuring walls and headboard in Cabana x Schumacher Daria Paisley fabric, Eden Tortoise side table by Society Social Furniture, Villa Bologna Pottery Amphora Lamps and a daybed in Schumacher’s Cusco Ikat.

Martina Mondadori’s design vision was clear from the start: to wrap the bungalow in patterned fabrics that would transport guests into the world of Cabana. Partnering with Schumacher, the team selected wallcoverings, many designed by Cabana. The primary bedroom features a hand-printed indigo paisley inspired by a cherished textile from Martina’s childhood.

Furniture & Finishes

The Den, featuring sofa and walls in Schumacher’s Santa Barbara Ikat Fabric, antique faux bamboo mirrors, wicker stools in sage by Cabana and Dolphin Wall Lights by Villa Bologna Pottery.

Palm Beach’s iconic style shaped the choice of furniture, with Society Social producing exquisite wicker and bamboo pieces. Fine bathroom fittings from Waterworks added a layer of sophistication, while Matouk’s linens brought ultimate comfort to the bedroom suites.

Adding European charm, Villa Bologna Pottery, a one-hundred-year-old ceramic maker, provided amphora-shaped lamps and baroque dolphin sconces, hand crafted in ceramic to add another layer of materiality.

Antiques & Vintage

A corner of the Living Room, featuring a spectacular lacquered cabinet sourced from a New York auction, topped with a double fronted 19th century birdcage.

Vintage treasures also found their place: a mother-of-pearl inlaid mirror from Princess Maria “Mimi” Romanoff’s estate now graces the powder room, while a spectacular lacquered cabinet sourced from a New York auction takes center stage in the living room. On top of the cabinet sits one of Cabana's favorite pieces - a double fronted 19th century birdcage. In the primary bedroom, a vintage brass shell-shaped reading light illuminates an antique cane desk.

Custom Design & Craftsmanship

The Kitchen, featuring custom-designed tiles and a woven pendant by Deborah Needleman.

Meanwhile, the colorful kitchen features bold green and yellow cabinetry and an eye-catching island centerpiece, which is covered in custom-designed tiles and surrounded by Kelly Wicker counter stools by Society Social Furniture.

Hanging above, a pendant light woven by US editor-turned-basket-maker Deborah Needleman sets the stage for Cabana's exclusive tableware collection created in collaboration with The Colony. A new shade of pink was launched, to color Cabana’s Floral Porcelain dinnerware, crafted by Ginori 1735. The tableware is complemented by Hibiscus table linens designed exclusively for the bungalow. Both are available on cabanamagazine.com.

Ashley Hicks’ Botanical Artworks

Artist and decorator Ashley Hicks contributed three large-scale botanical paintings, all created in his Oxfordshire studio. These vibrant, statement pieces pay homage to the grand botanical motifs favored by Italian decorator Verde Visconti, which became an inspiration for Cabana during the project. 

A Unique Collaboration

This unique project brought together many of Cabana’s favorite interior design brands from around the world, resulting in a bungalow that feels rooted in Palm Beach style and decorative charm, infused with Cabana’s unmistakable touch. The inviting bungalow, soon available for bookings, is a harmonious blend of past and present, a timeless addition to The Colony’s rich design heritage.