One of Saint Lucia’s longest standing resorts just got a massive design rehaul. Originally built in the mid 1960s by American expats, Richard and Margaret Egerer, East Winds, a cherished 30-room boutique resort renowned for its tropical gardens, has unveiled a design renovation that masterfully marries the nostalgia of the Caribbean’s golden age with artisanal craft. 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.
The renovation was led by hospitality expert and designer Andria Mitsakos, founder and creative director of Anthologist, a design studio rooted in cultural preservation. Mitsakos drew inspiration from the resort’s storied history, where sunset gatherings and a classic Planter’s Punch captured the leisurely elegance of Caribbean life. “I’ve been traveling to the Caribbean since I was eight months old, from 1974,” Mitsakos shared. “This project is a tribute to my upbringing there—full of color, confidence, and a nod to the locally made crafts my mother, also an interior designer, helped export in those days. There was never anything cookie cutter in the hotels we stayed in, most of it was always made on island. Now, East Winds is a true celebration of the era’s vibrant nostalgia.”
With a profound respect for the indigenous flora that defines East Winds, Mitsakos 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. Mitsakos 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.
Mitsakos’s 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 Mitsakos’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 Mitsakos.
The Superior and Deluxe rooms have been thoughtfully redesigned to weave a narrative through curated furnishings, textiles, and a fresh, sophisticated aesthetic. The Superior Rooms underwent a complete transformation. Walls were painted in Farrow & Ball’s Dix Blue, and feature rattan and bamboo furniture designed by Mitsakos herself and manufactured in Dominican Republic, along with vintage furniture pieces re-painted in Farrow & Ball’s Vardo. An imposing lantern painted by local artist Jemuel Joseph hangs behind the bed, dubbed the “dream corner” above books, locally handcrafted clay objects and a stuffed animal lizard Mitsakos 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 Mitsakos and made locally by one of the island’s famed female potters.
Bathrooms also received a complete rehaul, with new blue slate tiles, large, walk-in showers, and locally-made vanities and a bamboo pendant lamp keep a rustic charm. Further, Mitsakos 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 island were painted by local artist Jemeul Joseph are hung above the bed, while some rooms feature basket art created by a local Guayanese artist reference the contemporary floral fabric of the chair below it.
The design of the resort’s common areas such as the Bamboo Bar and Sunset Bar & Lounge pay 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 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.
While the oceanfront rooms were not renovated, there are plans to do so. Each of the existing three rooms did receive a refresh of lighting, grass mats and art curated from the hotel’s own extensive art collection of botanical prints and engravings, while the oceanfront suite received a new bamboo day bed and coffee table made in Santo Domingo.
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 Mitsakos 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.”
A chic new Anthologist corner in the hotel’s reception area invites guests to browse an exclusive selection of custom and curated pieces. Showcasing hand-blocked cotton print caftans, dresses, shirts, and pajamas, 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. The reception area itself has been refreshed with Farrow & Ball’s Verdigris Green and adorned with over 20 botanical prints, each representing the lush flora found in the resort’s gardens, creating an immersive welcome that blends natural beauty with curated style.
With a collection of spaces that are meant to stir the soul, the renovation aimed to create forward-looking guest experiences and rituals of service. At East Winds, Anthologist has designed an environment that’s an escape unto itself.
This project not only celebrates the cultural heritage of the Caribbean but also respects the needs of today’s traveler. By blending old-world charm with modern amenities, East Winds now stands as a beacon of timeless elegance, inviting guests to relive the heyday of Caribbean hospitality in an environment that honors the past while embracing the future.
