EAST WINDS SAINT LUCIA
Overview
Anthologist envisioned and enacted the design of the hotel’s entry level category rooms, with a management end goal to increase the resort’s average rate. The mid-level category rooms were refreshed, and the restaurant, bar, and lounge, were totally refurbished with new soft furnishings and objects. Common areas and the pool were also refurbished. Further, a retail corner was built in the hotel’s reception, where Anthologist created a bespoke resort wear collection made in Jaipur of colorful block prints paying tribute to the botanical heritage of the hotel. Each environment was outfitted with more than 80% custom furniture, art, and accessories crafted by artisans in Caribbean.
History
Originally built in the mid 1960s by American expats, Richard and Margaret Egerer, East Winds is a cherished 30-room boutique resort renowned for its tropical gardens. Sustainability was central to the project, with 70% of the existing furniture thoughtfully restored and refreshed in a vibrant new color palette, and 100% of the new light fixtures (including lampshades) made on island by local artisans.
Inspiration
Andria drew inspiration from the resort’s storied history, where sunset gatherings and a classic Planter’s Punch captured the leisurely elegance of Caribbean life.
She looked to the sophisticated spirit of Caribbean hotels in the 1970s—when properties felt more like intimate house parties than traditional hotels—the entire project embodies a relaxed yet refined aesthetic.
“East Winds now feels like a soulful, happy reflection on a celebrated era, even as new memories are being made here,” said Andria.
With a profound respect for the indigenous flora that defines East Winds, Andria drew inspiration from the meticulously cultivated gardens, which have flourished for over 50 years since Margaret Egerer first laid their foundation. Egerer’s skill in grafting fruit trees and nurturing rare native plants helped shape the lush botanical haven that surrounds the resort. Andria extended this botanical legacy indoors, enlisting local artists to create hand-painted murals and designing custom lanterns that cast a warm, floral-inspired glow throughout the rooms, seamlessly merging the garden’s natural beauty with the interiors' inviting ambiance.
Sustainability and Craft
Her mission was to create as much of the new decorative art pieces and fixtures on island, and thus, she worked with over 10 local suppliers (employing more than 60 persons on the island), including Sea Island Cotton and Choiseul Art, Craft and Tourism to produce locally manufactured products. This resulted in bespoke lamps, decorative objects, grass floor mats, art and accessories that infuse the spaces with authentic island character. Additionally, furniture was crafted by skilled artisans in Anthologist’s Santo Domingo factory in Dominican Republic, preserving the traditional craft of bamboo and rattan furniture making. “I wanted to keep as much of the procurement in the Caribbean as possible,” said Andria.
Rooms
The Superior Rooms underwent a complete transformation. Walls were painted in Farrow & Ball’s Dix Blue and feature rattan and bamboo furniture designed by Andria herself and manufactured in the Dominican Republic, along with vintage furniture pieces repainted in Farrow & Ball’s Vardo. An imposing lantern painted by local artist Jemeul Joseph hangs behind the bed, dubbed the “dream corner,” above books, locally handcrafted clay objects, and a stuffed animal lizard Andria sourced in Sri Lanka. Grass mats were handwoven by women in Choiseul, along with the lampshades that sit atop the coal pot lamps commissioned by Andria and made locally by one of the island’s famed female potters.
Bathrooms also received a complete overhaul, with new blue slate tiles, large walk-in showers, and locally made vanities. A bamboo pendant lamp retains a rustic charm. Further, Andria commissioned the double bathroom doors to be muraled in her vision and brought to life by emerging local artist Arthur Lee Williams. Driven by a dedication to cultural preservation, she embraced island talent at every turn, showcasing local craftsmanship with reverence and flair.
In the Deluxe rooms, existing furniture was meticulously sanded and repainted in white (save for a subtle Farrow & Ball Rangwali pink desk chair) and accented with brightly colored fabrics, while the main wall was painted in Farrow & Ball Vardo Blue. A gallery of handwoven hats made on the island and painted by local artist Jemeul Joseph is hung above the bed, while some rooms feature basket art created by a local Guyanese artist, referencing the contemporary floral fabric of the chair below it.
Common Areas
The design of the resort’s common areas, such as the Bamboo Bar and Sunset Bar & Lounge, pays homage to the resort’s classic roots, featuring furnishings that evoke mid-century modern and 1970s design influences, along with a collection of hand-picked antique accessories.
Throw pillows in the Bamboo Lounge are a bright contrast to its former glory, and a handmade rattan birdcage sits proudly in the center of the space, filled with orchids grown on the island, again an homage to the gardens on the property. Clay lamp bases were made locally and are accented by handwoven grass lampshades, while pendant lamps created by a Guyanese artist hang above the Sunset Bar, which also features an art installation of more than 50 antique pieces of barware and vintage rum bottles.
The resort’s restaurant, now named Bird of Paradise, has been beautifully reimagined, with custom plates adorned in a playful bird motif by Anthologist, a whimsical nod to the venue’s vibrant new identity. Paired with bold fabrics and locally made tabletop accessories, these touches infuse the dining experience with fresh bursts of color and a lively, tropical charm that brings the spirit of the Caribbean to every table. The restaurant team now dons vibrant Anthologist-designed uniforms in colorful prints that perfectly complement the refreshed décor.
Around the pool, a chic reinterpretation of mid-century fiberglass wicker sets the scene, accented by a bold palette of hot pink and orange—a vibrant palette Andria took from the striking style of the 1970s. “I researched summer fashion collections from around the world during that decade, and this dynamic color combination kept popping up to me. Then I simply looked at the sunset each evening, and that confirmed my decision,” she said. “It was evident that this would be our palette.”
Shop Anthologist at East Winds
A chic new Anthologist corner in the hotel’s reception area invites guests to browse an exclusive selection of custom and curated pieces. Showcasing an entire resort collection of hand-blocked cotton print caftans, dresses, bathrobes, pareos, scarves, men’s shirts, unisex pajamas, and toiletry bags designed exclusively for East Winds, the shop also offers a thoughtfully curated array of accessories, personally sourced and designed to reflect the resort’s vibrant spirit.
For those who fall in love with their stay, the hand-blocked print, brightly colored bathrobes from the suites are also available to take home.
