Malachite Accents

With Emerald Green named as Pantone’s 2013 colour of the year, it’s no surprise that there has been a sudden surge in the incorporation of malachite pattern across the design sphere.

The copper-ore mineral has been used in decoration for over 10,500 years, originally in the Middle-East and Egypt. Across many cultures it had a strong female-association, and also believed to hold many protective powers. It was also very popular amongst the Russian tsars during the nineteenth century, when it became synonymous with wealth and opulence – an association which has carried over to today’s 21st century interpretation.

Whether it’s the real-deal or a faux painted or screen-printed version, accents of malachite are a great way to interpret the emerald green trend in your home. I personally love the idea of a stone being printed on soft furnishings, such as cushions or upholstered furniture. The swirls of green induce a sense of tranquility, great to incorporate into a living area or study. Amp up the luxe factor by combining it with glints of golden brass, hints of velvet, reflective surfaces such as marble or glass, and classic furniture designs.

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Try a DIY with the Aestate’s faux-malachite tutorial here, or add some of the following pieces to your room:

1 – Emerald green malachite pillow via Etsy 2 – Malachite rubbish bin 3 – P. Fornasetti porcelain tray via 1stdibs 4 – Malachite and brass side table 5 – Five piece malachite desk set via 1stdibs 6 – Faux malachite chest 7 – Tony Duquette chair 8 – Tony Duquette malachite cushions 9 – Malachite coasters via Zazzle 10 – Tony Duquette rug 11 – Malachite fabric via Spoonflower

Tartan blazers

90’s style is having its resurgence in fashion right now – distressed denim, floral prints, and of course plaids are popping up all over the place.

Embracing the plaid trend doesn’t mean you need to go full grunge though, the timelessness of tartan worn in a classic blazer is a great way to incorporate this look into your wardrobe while still looking classy and put together.

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The black watch colours are some of the most versatile, looking great with a button up shirt or a plain tee. Wear the look with jeans for a casual look, or contrast it with a bright skirt for a more dressy style. Because tartan is such a timeless pattern, it mixes well with small prints such as leopard, smaller checks, stripes and florals.

Pineapple Punch

Pineapples seemed to be appearing in decor everywhere I looked, but did you know that they have been seen as a symbol of hospitality in America since the colonial times? Apparently back then, giving someone a pineapple as a gift showed them your intention to promote your friendship. These days people may think you’re a bit strange if you gifted them a piece of fruit, but with the motif making its way into so many decorative pieces it’s easy to keep this tradition alive, albeit with a modern twist.

With its unique, spiky shape and texture just begging to be explored in different forms, it’s easy to see why pineapples look great in home decor. While you need to balance out the look with other less exotic pieces (or risk your room looking like a Hawaiian luau!) they are a fun way to bring a bit of tropical, summery vibe to your home – try adding a lamp, a print, or just an ornamental version.

Ceramic pineapple from Alfresco Emporium.

This print is part of the Welcome to the Tropics collection from Wallstudio.

Pineapple wallpaper at Garden Court restaurant, Sofitel, Sydney.

Graham and Green’s beautiful silver table lamp.

A brighter version of a pineapple lamp via Pinterest.

A monochromatic pineapple print via Tumblr.

Below are a roundup of pieces which would be perfect to achieve this look:

1 – Zazzle Retro Pineapple print 2 – 1stdibs Brass Pineapple 3 – Emporium Botanica lamp 4 – Oliver Bonas forks 5 – Pineapple ice mould 6 – Zazzle Pineapple Hawaiian clock 7 – Kristy Lee Interiors pineapple print cushion 8 – Lazy Susan white porcelain pineapple 9 – Frederick Cooper Bermuda wall sconce 10 – Vintage Godinger silver bowl 11 – Wallstudio print 12 – SunnyLIFE candle 13 – Restoration Hardware curtain tiebacks 14 – Silver glass pineapple jar 15 – 1stdibs Vintage Italian Tole Pineapple shelf 16 – Megan fabric from Rubie Green 17 – Arty Pineapples fabric from demigoutte