Rick & Tammy Haddix, artists behind The Hidden Tiki Studio
Our love for all things tiki began the moment we stepped through the hidden bamboo door at TikiCat Bar in Westport, MO. It felt like entering another world—dimly lit, tropically immersive, and full of magic. One sip of a perfectly crafted tiki cocktail, good conversation with friends and we were hooked. That experience sparked the idea to build our own little slice of paradise at home.
What started as a small corner of our basement quickly grew into something bigger—especially after TikiCat closed its doors in July 2020 due to the pandemic. That’s when we dove headfirst into transforming our space into a full-fledged home tiki bar.
Last year, we celebrated 30 years of marriage with a tiki-themed anniversary trip to Chicago, hopping from bar to bar and capping it off with a vintage mid-century sofa for our tiki lounge—a perfect souvenir. Rick, a Navy veteran and union electrician with over 33 years of experience, brings the brains behind the build. I, Tammy, spent 37 years as an artist with Hallmark, and bring the creative vision. Together, we’ve always made a great team—me as the designer, him as the maker.
Out of that partnership came The Hidden Tiki Studio, tucked right inside our own home tiki bar. It’s both a creative space and a tropical escape, where we brainstorm, design, build, and bring our tiki dreams to life. From CNC carving and laser cutting to wiring lamps and pouring epoxy, Rick handles the technical side while I lead the artistic direction.
Every piece we create is rooted in craftsmanship, imagination, and a shared love of tiki culture and mid-century vibes. Our dream is to grow The Hidden Tiki Studio into a brand that travels with us—bringing our handcrafted work to tiki events across the country and connecting with a community that shares our passion for playful nostalgia and tropical fun.
