A Malachite Moment

Malachite is an exquisite saturated green mineral that is considered a semi-precious gemstone. Its circular pattern is fascinating and designers from Tony Duquette to Kelly Wearstler have loved using this mineral for furniture, tile, or printed on textiles. It is a rich, luxurious accent in any room.

Below is a shot from a corner of The Garden Room at designer Tony Duquette's Shangri-la-esque estate Dawnridge. The malachite wallcovering is paired with the same pattern in lapis lazuli for drapery panels. The fabric is available through Jim Thompson.

Here is the malachite fabric in drapery panels...

As I mentioned, Kelly Wearstler used malachite to great effect in the lobby of The Viceroy Hotel in Miami.

Wisteria has a series of mineral prints and this pair of malachite close-ups makes a dramatic statement over a console table.

Italian porcelain manufacturer Fiandre make a wonderful large format malachite-looking wall tile which adds a sumptuous feeling to any space, especially the bathroom seen below.

Designer Shelley Johnstone put a malachite-patterned wallcovering on a ceiling.

Whether it's a piece of furniture, a mirror frame, or on a wall, malachite adds a touch of glamour and sophistication to any space.

Happy designing!

Like Jewelry For Your Cabinetry

As a designer, I am always on the lookout for the unusual, unexpected, special little details that can take a room from being just nice to being jaw-droppingly beautiful. Especially in kitchens and bathrooms where the opportunity for furnishings is diminished, it is important to pick elements judiciously. I like to tell clients that these kinds of finishing touches are like jewelry: fine silver cuff links on a tuxedo or a beautiful pair of diamond ear rings and necklace on an evening gown. Spaces benefit from such accessories.

Enter Hardware Renaissance, a high end company that handcrafts gorgeous door and drawer handles and pulls. Started by Anagha Dandekar in 2002, the company offers an original line of hand forged iron completely hand made by master blacksmiths. In 2004, the company introduced solid cast silicon bronze hardware with a commitment to environmental responsibility. The bronze hardware is made from at least 90% recycled material.

But the thing that puts these stunning products over the top is their new line of hardware inset with semi-precious stones such as chrysocolla, rotile, and black or red jade stone. These pulls would certainly give your interior doors and cabinet drawers a special sense of exquisite modern luxury!

Happy designing!