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 The waters off Tahiti are a perfect turquoise mix of serene blue and invigorating green, a shade that goes with virtually every other hue and flatters all skin tones, Cheryll Gillespie says. |
Pantone has named turquoise the colour of the year for 2010.
Yes, this blue-green shade of cyan based on the gem turquoise is the hue that stylemakers everywhere will be suggesting that you wear and bring home this year.
Personally, I love the colour and have always worn it. In my jewellery box, you’ll find some terrific pieces I’ve brought back from around the world.
Now, I’m bringing this favourite shade home and encouraging my clients to follow suit. But we certainly won’t be the first.
Fabulous pieces of furniture with turquoise inlays were found in Egyptian graves dating back to 3000 BC.
Many cultures, ancient and modern, believe turquoise stone can bring good fortune and ward off the power of darkness.
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Today’s colour experts use this hue to help those suffering from depression because it’s such a cheery colour and known to give us more confidence and a sense of youthfulness.
Turquoise is also associated with faithfulness, truth and constancy in our relationships, making it an ideal choice when you redo the bedroom.
If you’ve ever been to the beaches of Bora Bora, in the South Pacific, then you’ll know the colour of the water in Tahiti is a perfect turquoise mix of serene blue and invigorating green.
It’s hard to think that anyone wouldn’t want to live with this hue, which goes with practically every other colour and flatters all skin tones.
For example, if your rooms are adorned primarily with neutrals — a brown, beige and taupe palette, say — try livening things up with turquoise accents. (I also like to bring classic animal prints, such as cheetah or leopard, into this mix.)
If you decorate with black, charcoal and white, give the room an Art Deco hit with turquoise and perhaps a punch of orange.
Turquoise also pairs brilliantly with navy and will look fresh and appealingly elegant with shades of red, pink and orange, or sporty and energized with greens, both traditional or the fashionable yellow-based shades.
Wondering how much turquoise to bring into a room? If you’re sticking strictly to accents, such as toss pillows, throws, lampshades or vases, remember you need at least three pieces in the room – otherwise, it’s an accident, not an accent.
This is also a great way to test-drive the colour in your room. If you love the effect, then take the next step: paint a wall or two, hang a turquoise patterned wallpaper or bring home a feature chair upholstered in an amazing turquoise chenille or silk.
Cheryll Gillespie is an internationally celebrated, award-winning designer with a passion for travel. Visit her online at www.cheryllgillespie.com.
Weekend project
Go for a walk this weekend and enjoy the crisp January weather, but be on the lookout for fabulous organics that you can bring home. For example, a tree branch that can lean against a wall, be laid across a table or stand in a vase. Go rock picking and bring home a pile of stones, large and small, that can fill the top of a potted plant or be scattered around the base on the floor. Organic is the No. 1 texture to have at home this year.