CONCEPT
SUMMER 2020
Welcome to Cabana—a laid-back escape where summer slows down, flip-flops come off, and a cool drink is always within reach. This trend is a vibrant celebration of the season, blending the lushness of palm fronds and tropical florals with the warmth of natural textures, such as bamboo and rattan. These organic elements lay a relaxed, inviting foundation, while breezy linen stripes, indigo-dyed textiles, and cheerful multicolor patterns layer in a dynamic mix of the classic and the eclectic. With playful embellishments and whimsical icons, Opalhouse brings the joy, infusing every corner with personality and charm. Cabana captures the effortless ease of summer—inviting guests to create their sunny sanctuary, whether it’s a quiet corner indoors or a breezy backyard retreat.
ARTWORK
SUMMER 2020
For Summer 2020, Opalhouse’s signature magical maximalism came to life through the Cabana concept—a vibrant celebration of the season that brought the outdoors in with lush palm fronds, tropical florals, and sun-drenched fruits. Each element was thoughtfully hand-painted to convey a sense of optimism, cheer, and vibrant energy. The artwork featured loose, expressive brushwork and a saturated, joyful color palette—designed to evoke both a sense of transport and a personal connection. With every pattern, the goal was to spark delight and create an experience that felt like an easy escape to summer, full of warmth, personality, and playful charm.DRAWINGS
In my sketchbook, I started exploring different fruits using watercolor, graphite, and ink — I really wanted to capture the organic textures and natural imperfections that come through when working by hand. My goal was to keep some of that raw, tactile feel in the final artwork to create a sense of depth and dimension that felt authentic and inviting.
Once I had built out the initial artwork portfolio, I shared it with our leadership team. From there, we went through a truly collaborative process, discussing how the artwork could best bring our summer vision to life. After thoughtful conversations and feedback, we decided to move toward a cleaner, more graphic aesthetic for the season. This direction felt fresh, modern, and aligned with the playful spirit we wanted to convey — and it also helped us connect with an even wider range of guests.
It was a great example of how creative exploration and team input can come together to shape a final product that’s both exciting and approachable.
THE FINAL PRODUCT
The images shown here represent a small selection of the full artwork and product development created for the 2021 season. I curated this assortment to highlight some of the most impactful designs — the pieces that not only anchored the collection but also appeared across multiple product categories.
This project exceeded all our expectations, achieving outstanding sales results and resonating deeply with guests. It also generated strong buzz on social media, helping to strengthen SunSquad’s brand presence and celebrate its playful, colorful spirit. In stores, the collection created a vibrant, joyful experience that added a much-needed burst of color and fun — perfectly capturing the essence of summer.
