Friday, August 26, 2016

Decorate Your Home And Garden With Artichoke Décor



I've been away for a bit nursing an old shoulder injury that thanks to a recent fall has been causing quite a bit of pain, especially when attempting to use the computer for any real length of time. Thanks for your patience and I hope you enjoy the latest post




Legend has it that there was once was a beautiful young mortal woman named Cynara who was a favorite lover of the Greek god Zeus. Cynara, however, eventually chose to return to her mortal parents thus angering Zeus enough to transform her into an artichoke. Greeks and Romans alike would then consider the fruit of this thistle plant to be a delicacy and aphrodisiac.


Wedding portrait of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, childhood friend of Henry VIII and Mary Tudor, Henry's sister, c.1516


Could the nobility of England also have heard the legend as well?


And even across the pond we seem to connect the artichoke with sensuality.


The artichoke became the passion of the day's rulers. The wife of King Henry II of France, Caterina de Medici introduced the artichoke to France in the early 16th century, bringing it to court  with cooks who had knowledge on how to prepare them. At a time when women were forbidden to eat artichokes she is said to have dined on them in public and even to have fainted often from eating too many of them. Henrietta Maria, queen to Charles I of England, kept a garden devoted to artichokes at her manor in Wimbledon. 

Today, aside from enjoying their tantalizing taste, the stylized artichoke is a favored home decor accent that is classic yet works equally well in contemporary homes. Whether you like yours in stone or au naturale, the artichoke is still on trend.



Legends aside, the artichoke is a classic motif in decorating...... 

source unknown

and has historical background for accenting the garden with timeless allure as far back as the 16th century.


via Pinterest

We are use to seeing finials in the form of an artichoke on carved stone gates and other forms of garden architecture.


Today stone artichoke inspired decor is still in demand for garden ornamentation. Place a statue like this along a pathway, on your porch, patio, or poolside for a unique garden accent.


A stone artichoke is a sure way to add old world Mediterranean charm to your own backyard.



Even centuries ago homeowners would bring the artichoke motif inside in the form of such things as carved finials on stairway newel posts.



Today stone or wooden artichoke finials are still big on traditional style. With a slightly distressed finish they are perfect for a European style interior.



Just like antique furniture brings a timeless sophistication to any living space, an artichoke statue compliments interiors from shabby to Italian or French inspired.



The look of antique garden artichoke statuary adds a decorative element to any console table or shelf in your home. They are great accents to add to a vignette.


I love these garden architectural elements that look like clusters of artichokes instead of just a single plant.



You can bring this classical trend and influence to today's world in small doses if you like. Artichoke finales on the ends of your drapery rods are always a good look.




The classic and chic look of this lamp accentuates the alternating leaf pattern of the artichoke and causes it to become a bit more modern.


Considered a classic masterpiece, the iconic artichoke light fixture was first designed by Poul Henningsen for a restaurant in Copenhagen called the Langelinie Pavilion that still hosts some originals even today. The fixture consists of 72 individual leaves in 12 circular rows that shield the light source, and serve to redirect and reflect the light onto the underlying leaves. I adore the artichoke light when used in classical interiors like the one above. Such a great mix of old world elegance and modern charisma.



via Pinterest

Lars Bolander

Artichoke art can add a classic or whimsical concept to your interior. Here Lars Bolander uses a large Henry Koehler artichoke painting as a quirky backdrop for antique French furniture and global souvenirs.


Artichoke art is also great if you want to be a part of the botanical trend in decor.

images via Pinterest



White artichoke decor is chic and elegant and adds a touch of charm to your decor whether you create a vignette in your foyer or make it part of a dining room centerpiece.

cudesso.com

Grouped together for impact or scattered throughout an area, this delicate white artichoke accessory will fit in any decor.


Here a couple of ceramic white artichokes make an upscale statement to a shelving unit.





If you prefer more color, these great Stray Dog artichoke lamps will liven up any room.


Or maybe instead of stone and porcelain you like your artichoke decor to be organic and the real deal. The artichoke is a popular choice for vegetable inspired tabletop decor. Fill up a vintage basket or try a fresh artichoke centerpiece. They look great with magnolia leaves.

Southern Accent Magazine





There are so many ways to use nature’s delicacies in your decor and the artichoke is still a wonderful design element even in it's natural state.


Use them to add a presence of art in any unique space that you need an extra special accent.



Click here to see the previous post

http://eyefordesignlfd.blogspot.com/2016/08/decorating-with-deer-mounts-for-french.html








This blog post was published by Lisa Farmer
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