Inspired: Palm Springs
Designing for AirBnb, Sunhaven Forster: A Wallpaper Inspired by Banana Palms & Palm Springs Charm
Sunhaven Forster boasts the kind of wallpaper that feels like a holiday. Inspired by retro motels, warm desert air, and the undeniable charm of a coastal Airbnb with a palm tree duo out the front, this design brings together my love for tropical botanicals, vintage aesthetics, and slow living.
As a surface designer, I’m always drawing from real places and lived experiences—and this one is full of sun, palms, and nostalgia.
The Mood: Palm Springs Meets Australian Coastal
Think: sun-bleached towels drying on a line, concrete breeze blocks casting shadows on stucco walls, and banana palms swaying gently in the breeze. That was the moodboard in my head when I started sketching. I’d been dreaming of retro motels with candy-colored doors and old-school signage, but I wanted to give it my own laid-back, tropical twist—more barefoot mornings and surfy afternoons, less poolside cocktails (though there's room for that too).
The palette is warm and playful—think soft clay, faded sand, and a whisper aqua—designed to work beautifully in breezy interiors that want a touch of that Palm Springs cool without losing their natural, earthy roots.
The Muse: A Sweet Airbnb with a Signature Palm
Sunhaven Forster, there’s something iconic about the palm tree duo out front; it catches the afternoon light just right, and gives the whole place this postcard-perfect feel. That palm became the anchor of the whole design—a reminder of the joy in simple, beautiful details.
It’s these kinds of visual imprints that I love weaving into my surface patterns. Whether it's a shadow play on the wall, the way banana palms catch the wind, or the faded tones of a sun-drenched courtyard, it all finds a way in.
From Sketch to Surface Pattern
Every leaf started as a hand-drawn pencil sketch—iconic banana palms to nod to motel inspiration. I build my repeat patterns slowly, layering each element with care so the design feels calm and easy on the eye.
This wallpaper is digitally crafted but grounded in a very intentional process—just like the lifestyle that inspired it.
Designed for Dreamy Spaces
The Designs are made for spaces that want to feel light, nostalgic, and grounded. It works beautifully in:
Coastal bedrooms
Retro-inspired cafes or Airbnb interiors
Boho nurseries
Surf shacks and beachside homes
It pairs effortlessly with rattan, linen, timber, and vintage finds—bringing warmth and personality to any wall it touches.
Bring That Palm Springs Feeling Home
Whether you're creating a relaxing space for guests or curating your own sun-drenched sanctuary, here you’ve found a perfect mix of playful nostalgia and earthy elegance. It's a little wink to retro travel, wrapped in tropical warmth. You can SHOP all these designs in my Spoonflower Store.
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Want to use this design in your next project? You can SHOP all these designs in my Spoonflower store
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