Oh geez, I gotta start updating more! Who wants to see our Enchanted Tiki Room-inspired breakfast nook?
I think I’ve mentioned before that it took me a looooong time to start hanging art in our new place cuz I’d kinda ODed on it my last place. And I had this idea that it wouldn’t go with this more sophisticated look I was hoping for (and have yet to achieve). But the breakfast nook seems like a place where you can have some fun with decor, so I rounded up my favorite concept art for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
One of my oldest and most beloved pieces of Disneyland art is a print of John Hench’s concept for the Tiki Room, back when it was going to be a restaurant.
Many years ago I also found on eBay a print of his concept for the gate and Dole Whip stand.
eBay’s also a great place to find prints of Rolly Crump’s courtyard tiki art and an alternate attraction poster idea.
This Herb Ryman concept is a more recent favorite of mine—I love the shades of blue he used to depict an evening scene. The perspective also makes the courtyard look waaaaaay bigger than it actually ended up being!
Like many folks, I’d always assumed these last two were discarded Tiki Room concepts, until the Disney Archives revealed at Destination D they’d discovered this art was from the abandoned “Legends of the Enchanted Island” animatronic show for the Coca-Cola pavilion at the 1964 World’s Fair (which would have featured a cast of singing birds and an erupting volcano, natch).
And then there’s this tray, my favorite souvenir from D23 Expo a few years ago.
As you can see, I invested heavily in Aaron Brothers’ stock of faux bamboo frames back in the day, before I even had art to put in them. Still, I wish I’d bought more! Now that the style has been discontinued, I had to come up with something complementary in order to frame all the pieces I wanted in the breakfast nook.
Also, in case you’re into that stuff, the Louis Poulsen lamp and tulip table + chairs are all knockoffs from eBay and Amazon. The curtains are vintage barkcloth that had been deconstructed for sale as yardage on Etsy; my crackerjack seamstress turned them back into curtains for $19!
Jo
October 22, 2016Carrie, this kitchen is beautiful! It looks so warm and inviting. You are so lucky to have found those John Hench prints, I’m so envious. My husband and I are building a home so you’ve given me some great ideas. Can’t wait to see your dining room!
Carrie
October 25, 2016Thank you for the kind words! Keep an eye on eBay—that’s where I’ve found most of my concept art. Also, that oversized Art of Disneyland book by Jeff Kurtti is good for cutting up into frameable art!
Jo
October 26, 2016Oh that’s a great idea. I’ve been thinking about cutting some out of my Designing Disney book as well as a couple I have by Mary Blair. They’re beautiful books so part of me would hate to cut them up, but on the other hand I think I’ll get more enjoyment out of them if they’re on the wall. Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out.
Susan
June 23, 2016Well done- looks fantastic!
Carrie
June 23, 2016Thank you!
Kathi
April 14, 2016Oh, yes, that would be the ultimate Castle shoot! Although Linderhof Castle is even more beautiful in my opinion – it has a secret grotto! (So we should definitely make a castle tour out of it!)
Carrie
April 14, 2016Sold!
Kathi
April 14, 2016Love it! And seriously wish I had the space/money/time to steal your ideas! Maybe I just fly you (along with Nate and Jensey to capture it) in someday? Hope, you’re interested in seeing Bavaria? 😉
Carrie
April 14, 2016Oh man, I’d LOVE to see Bavaria! And can you imagine the amazing shots Nate and Jensey would get of Neuschwanstein Castle? Talk about a dream photo shoot!