Home Tiki Bar Spotlight #121 The Island Princess – Mercer Island WA

I’ve lived in Seattle for over 20 years and I just realized that I have an island view!

I live in a neighborhood called Seward Park and looking directly out my front window is an island that being Mercer Island. It’s not a tropical island, there’s no palm trees, but there are tons of evergreens and I’d say Mercer Island is as beautiful as any island I’ve been on.

I just sold a bamboo, tiki styled cabinet to my newfound friend Cathye. Mercer Island isn’t that far away from me so I offered to deliver it to her. We chatted and Cathye mentioned that the cabinet is going to be added to her tiki bar that she had on her side porch. I asked her if I could see it, she said sure but don’t expect much. I love all home tiki bars, great and small and we stepped through a door leading onto Cathye’s home tiki bar called The Island Princess. I immediately feel in love with her tiki bar. It’s a perfect mix of classic tiki and Hawaiian. What makes the bar truly special is the view of the woods and nature looking out back. It all comes together to make a truly relaxing escape. Here is Cathye’s story…

What is the tiki scene like where you live?

Cathye- I guess there is a tiki scene, I went on a boat once around the Puget Sound and Lake Union and everyone dressed up in “tiki garb” and it was fun, but I am not really into a scene myself.

What brought you into the tiki lifestyle and how long has it been part of your life?

Cathye- As to lifestyle I would call it “dumpster diver with a hint of lux”! I am in the vintage business and I have been a “dumpster diver” since the 1980’s. I discovered Tiki waaaay after everyone else. Late to the party as always. I have an artist friend who has the coolest pad on the planet and he was my main inspiration.

Can you give a little history of how it all came together?

Cathye- During Covid when we were in lockdown I was very bored as I am used to moving at a fast pace. I was sitting around doing nothing but exercise and reading books and it sort of came to me that I wanted to make a “tiki bar”.  So, I began finding stuff at the side of the road in Olympia with my guy as people weren’t doing garage or estate sales during that time. I would find stuff on Offer Up, Marketplace etc. as well so, slowly it started coming together. I got the lahala for the walls off eBay and it became this amazingly fun project. It is always changing and evolving but the most important part is it’s so fun. I am still on the hunt!!

Any story behind the name of your bar?

Cathye- Johnny named it “The Island Princess” and it sort of stuck. Living on an island and all……….

What is your favorite Tiki drink?

Cathye- My favorite tiki drink is the Ray’s Mistake at Tiki Ti. Tiki Ti was one of my absolute favorite bars when I moved to LA in 1982 and remains a fave to this day. Additionally, the ultimate is the drink Long Gone John makes for us when I go see him in Olympia. It is called the Johnny drink and it consists of rum, more rum, dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, more rum, a cherry and umbrella on top……..delish. It’s so swell…..as it is made with love.

Outside of great drinks, what do you think are essential elements in creating the perfect Tiki environment?

Cathye- The perfect element is MORE! More is better. More cool tiki masks, seashells, mermaids, more cool lighting…..lighting is essential dim lights but not too dim. So many cool and vintage tiki artifacts in one place makes it better. More always more.

What does the future hold for you and your home tiki bar?

Cathye- The future is always going to be finding cooler stuff, better stuff and more stuff. I am patient. I find a lot at the Rosebowl in LA, a few treasures in Round Top Texas and some with the guy in Olympia at the side of the road.

Anything else you would like to add?

Cathye- I think Tiki should be fun and not so serious……..that is the point. I think during the Covid lockdown everyone was scared, freaking out and the unknown was………unknown! Tiki gave me a purpose, some fun and that is in my opinion what it is all about. FUN……let’s have some fun!! Life is short.

Thank you Dave Gittleman for your pictures used in this post!