The Golden Girls Aesthetic: Pastels, Palms, and the Miami Interior Style That Still Works
I have very early memories of watching The Golden Girls at my grandmother’s house on her little kitchen TV. I remember admiring Blanche’s bedroom and loving all of the tropical aspects of their home. At that time, I knew it was set in Florida, but I definitely didn’t know what Miami was. To me, the Golden Girls aesthetic is basically the interior design version of comfort TV. Pastels, palms, rattan, oriental accents, soft lighting, and that warm, “come sit down and stay awhile” energy. It’s easily one of the most recognizable Miami-coded looks, making it a staple of Miami Tropical Deco. But here’s the thing. When people say “Golden Girls decor,” they usually mean one of two extremes: But what comes to my mind is a look that is much more elevated than that. When the right elements and pieces are put together with intention, the Golden Girls’ interior aesthetic can be glamorous, nostalgic, and breezy, evoking a sense of being on vacation – not visiting a party store or a nursing home. In this post, I’m breaking down what defines the Golden Girls aesthetic, why it naturally anchors Miami Tropical Deco, and how I’m using it as inspiration for my Golden Girls guest bathroom plan. What Is the Golden Girls Aesthetic? If I had to define it in one sentence: soft pastels + tropical textures + curated glamour + lived-in warmth. It’s not a minimalist look. It’s not a hyper-styled showroom. It feels collected, layered, and lived-in in a way that feels cozy and warm. The signature elements Golden Girls Style vs Theme Decor This is where the look can go sideways. The Golden Girls aesthetic works best when it’s referential, not literal. What I mean by that Yes to: No to: The goal is: Miami ease, not Miami gimmick. Why It Fits So Naturally Into Miami Tropical Deco Golden Girls style is basically the “soft tropics” side of Miami Tropical Deco. Miami Tropical Deco pulls from: Golden Girls brings a version of that which is: It’s Miami Tropical Deco when the vibe is less penthouse and more “come over, I made a cheesecake.” My Golden Girls Guest Bathroom Plan Since I’m moving from Maine to the Carolinas, I’m looking forward to having my friends from up north visit me. My goal for the guest bed and bath is to create spaces that feel like a Miami boutique hotel, while also feeling comforting and nostalgic. A real “home away from home.” Starting with the bathroom, I want it to be a space that invites my guests to slow down and take their time getting ready. The foundation of the space is a modern reimagining of the iconic banana leaf wallpaper from Blanche’s room, interpreted through a bold custom print by PeriwinkBoutique on Etsy. I’m so excited to be partnering with her on this design and bringing a fresh, elevated take on such a classic reference into the space. The vision Color story INSERT PALETTE IMAGE: peach + seafoam + warm white + tropical teal + brass Materials and finishes INSERT PHOTO: guest bathroom moodboard Golden Girls Guest Bathroom Moodboard (wayfair/amazon finds) INSERT MOODBOARD HERE Under it, include a quick caption like:Soft pastels, tropical texture, warm brass, and a little vintage charm. Golden Girls energy, but make it polished. Get the Look This is where you can add product links later, but the post reads beautifully even without them. Decor + styling ideas If you thrift What’s Next In my next post, we’re going even deeper into the Tropical / Old Florida side of Miami Tropical Deco – palms, bamboo, nostalgic hotel references, and how to get the warmth without going theme-y. And if you’re reading this thinking, “Okay, yes. This is my vibe,” tell me – what’s your Golden Girls character energy in decor form? Cozy Blanche? Organized Dorothy? Maximalist Sophia? See you next time! -Kayla Sue
My First Trip to Miami (January 2018)
The trip that changed my entire design direction. In January 2018, I found myself in the middle of another long, dark Maine winter. You know the kind where the sun sets at 4 pm, and everything feels cold, gray, and..endless. I had some airline miles to use, and I remember having this very clear thought: I need to go to Florida. Anywhere warm. Anywhere sunny. I wasn’t sure where in Florida I wanted to go. I’d already done Cocoa Beach, Tampa, Naples, Orlando…the usual. I had never been to the Fort Lauderdale area, so I threw a quick “anyone live near here?” question on my Instagram story. That’s when I remembered I had friends in Miami. And honestly? Miami just sounded fun. I didn’t know much about it. I had no plan. I just needed a break. So I booked it. The closest airport was Fort Lauderdale, and I ended up staying in Hollywood, which, by the way, is not Miami. I thought I was booking something “Miami-adjacent.” It’s actually about 40 minutes north. Still, I loved it. I stayed right on the beach, and even before stepping foot in Miami, something in me already felt lighter. I didn’t know it yet, but this trip would completely change the way I see design, color, and creativity. My friends Jon and Henry offered to show me around the city. They love Miami the way only locals can, with that mix of pride, nostalgia, and “there’s no place like this.” They were excited to be my tour guides, and I was excited to see anything they wanted to show me. Josue joined too, and the four of us ended up having one of the most fun few days of my twenties. One of the first things they said was, “We’re taking you to Ocean Drive.” I had heard of it, but I didn’t really know what it was. I asked, “Is that the neon street?” They laughed and said, “You’ll see.” Walking down Ocean Drive for the first time is something I’ll never forget. This was back in 2018 when you could still park right on the street, which already feels like a different lifetime. The moment I stepped out of the car and looked around, I audibly gasped. The entire strip was glowing. The Art Deco hotels, pastel by day, neon by night, were lit up in blues, pinks, greens, and peach. It felt like stepping into a movie set. I don’t think I blinked for several minutes. The energy was unreal. The buildings, the palms, the breeze off the water…it was overwhelming in the best way. Then they pointed across the street and said, “Do you know what that is?”I didn’t.“That’s the Versace Mansion.” It stopped me in my tracks. I had always admired Gianni Versace’s work, and I knew the story, but seeing the house in real life was surreal. Seeing the wrought-iron gates, the Medusa medallions, and the Italian villa architecture in person, I was stunned. It didn’t match the Art Deco buildings around it, yet somehow it still belonged. Miami can hold contradictions like that. Glam next to grit, pastel next to patina. It’s what makes it so interesting and storied to me. Right there, standing in front of the neon buildings, it hit me:This is my vibe.Beach, sun, palm trees, architecture, color, culture…all wrapped into one place. There’s really no other way to explain it. Miami had everything I loved without me even knowing I loved it. The next day we went to Wynwood. Which is it’s own beast. Bars, live music, Wynwood Walls, the whole thing. Very different energy, but I loved it just as much. I was 28, it was mid-January, and I stayed for maybe four or five nights. It was a quick trip, but when I went home, I couldn’t stop thinking about Miami. I was obsessed . Like fully, embarrassingly obsessed. My obsession still has a cringe element to it. I talked about it nonstop. I looked up hotels. I watched vlogs. I started researching neighborhoods. And then I did what any normal person would do:I went back a month and a half later. That second trip was longer. A full week and I explored hard. I resort-hopped, visited Coral Gables, Dolphin Mall, and Wynwood again, met up with more friends, and tried to see as much of Miami as possible. I realized each area had its own personality: We went fishing off Siesta Key. Standing in warm water in the middle of winter, catching fish with a backdrop that looked like a postcard. When I say this trip was life-changing, I’m not being dramatic. It was the beginning of something I didn’t have the words for yet. It was the spark that eventually led to my obsession with color, curves, pastels, tropical motifs, hotel-suite comfort, and the mix of Deco + glam + tropical softness that I now call Miami Tropical Deco. It was the first of countless trips and the beginning of the aesthetic I’m now building into my home and this entire blog.
What Is Miami Tropical Deco?
Miami has gone through a lot of design eras, but there’s one that always pulls me in: the pastel, glossy, tropical-glam look of the 80s and early 90s. It’s a mix of Art Deco curves, hotel luxury, soft neon color palettes, and sun-washed tropical energy. I call it Miami Tropical Deco, and this blog documents how I’m building a modern version of that style inside a builder-grade condo. The reasons why I fell in love with Miami and have incorporated this look into my home are for another post, but today, let’s talk about what defines the aesthetic that I am so passionate about. These are the fundamentals of Miami Tropical Deco design. 1. Art Deco Architecture Miami’s signature style begins with its Art Deco hotel district. Built in the 1920s–40s, these pastel-toned buildings used soft curves, glass block, neon trims, and coastal motifs inspired by the beach. Miami’s version of Deco was lighter and more playful than the darker, industrial “Gatsby Deco” found in other cities, but this is why it became the perfect foundation for the Tropical Deco look. Think: This early architecture set the stage for the ’80s revival that blended Deco with glamour, color, and Miami’s tropical atmosphere. 2. Pastel Color Stories Leonard Horowitz, a key figure in the preservation of Miami Beach’s Art Deco District, developed a 40-color pastel palette to guide the restoration of the neighborhood’s historic buildings. Although the full palette isn’t publicly available, the colors still seen on the buildings today give us a strong sense of what it included. Soft peach, mint green, coral, aqua, lavender, and pale yellows. These are the same hues you’ll notice in a South Beach sunrise or on the facades of the Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive. It’s not just about being colorful. It’s about being soft, dreamy, and relaxing, which is exactly how one feels while relaxing poolside in Miami. 3. Chrome, Glass, and Lacquer The ‘80s loved reflective surfaces, but in Miami, they were paired with art deco curves, tropical motifs, and hotel-inspired shapes. Think: Using these elements, everything feels clean, bright, and oh-so-glamorous. 4. Deco and Postmodern Shapes Miami interiors have always leaned Deco, but in the ‘80s they blended it with postmodern design, using rounded edges, sculptural lamps, geometric vases, and statement chairs.If something has curves, shine, or personality, it fits this motif. 5. Hotel-Suite Comfort The best Miami interiors feel like a vacation: It’s not minimal. It’s intentional and a little indulgent. 6. Tropical Elements Not tropical in a “coastal beach” way, but rather tropical in a tasteful, airy, botanical way. Incorporating textures found in nature, this creates balance with the bold glam elements that make up most of the Miami Tropical Deco aesthetic. Why This Aesthetic? I’ve always been drawn to interiors that feel nostalgic and escapist. The Miami of the 80s and 90s was bold, colorful, and full of personality. It was also playful — something I think we’re all craving more of. I’m building this blog as I design my own home around these elements, mixing: If you love interiors with character, color, and a little bit of Miami magic, you’ll feel at home here. What’s Coming Next I hope you follow along, because we are just getting started. In the future,, I’ll be sharing: This is the start of something I’ve wanted to build for a long time, and I’m excited you’re here. – Kayla Sue
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