Thursday, January 23, 2014

Decorating With The Whole Tortoise Shell

This post is a follow-up to Decorating With Tortoise Shell. While that one focused on using this versatile design element in a more traditional and classical way, this post spotlights the whole shell and how is has become an art form that lends itself well to any style home. Large turtle shells have been showing up on the walls and shelves of homes for some time now and for homeowners that like using natural elements such as antlers, taxidermy and shells, a tortoise shell can be a great addition to your decor. They are also perfect for the animal inspired or safari interior and look wonderful displayed with leopard or zebra accessories.



As sea turtles are protected, current designers resort to faux tortoise shell plastic and other imitation materials such as resin. I only support the display and use of real turtle shells that are antique or have been shed naturally. Make sure you know the dealer you are buying from.

Joe Nye

The pedestal with the tortoise shell came from Hollyhock, his mentor's Suzanne Rheinstein's shop.


Kelly Werstler used 100's of faux shells to create this look at The Tides La Marea. I love the brown chairs and how they make it look like you are in your own shell.

Kelly Werstler

When allowed to become a focal point, the shell itself makes quite an  impact.


These shells seem to work well anywhere you display them, even in a soft and elegant room like this.


This lighter colored shell is perfection in this stunning room. You can display them alongside your favorite antiques.


Display a specimen box with a shell inside. As you can see they make great vignette accessories.


I love the well traveled look the shell adds to a room.

allaboutvignettes.blogspot.co

Bunny Williams- Town & Country

jamieherzlinger.com

Victoria Hagan

I think tortoise shells are especially beautiful when used in a neutral interior.

Some like them natural.......

and others like the lacquered look. It's a matter of personal taste.

Karen Robertson

A trend in decorating is the Specimen Look and the whole shell works perfectly with the other displays.

designgumbo.net

Here a do-it-yourselfer has used an old brass candlestick to create a lovely display stand for the lacquered turtle shell. 


Phoebe Howard

Gabriel Hendifar

Ballard Designs


A stand is a great way to display the beauty of the shell as it enables you to see all sides of it.
Aerin Lauder's home.

Photo by Simon Upton

The whole tortoise shell becomes a lovely addition to a classical display.

This eclectic interior features a tortoise shell as wall art in another specimen display.

via pinterest



belgianpearls.blogspot.com

Even the smallest version steals the show!


For more on tortoise shell .......used in a more classical way, be sure to check out the post below.


Click here to see the previous post!


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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Decorating With Tortoise Shell



I have always loved tortoise shell .....from the runway to the living room. I had a pair of tortoise shell patent leather heels that would spice up anything I decided to wear.The versatility of tortoise shell makes it perfect for accessorizing whether it is jewelry and shoes or home decor. Designers have been incorporating tortoise shell elements for a long time and there are few interiors that can't be enhanced by the addition at least one item. Both classic and stylish, this natural element is loved for the beautiful texture, interest, color, and depth that it brings to a space. Whether your home is contemporary or an 18th century period home, you won't be sorry if you give this eye-catching accent a chance to infuse your home with bold style. 

True tortoiseshell, which traditionally comes from hawksbill turtles, has been banned to protect those creatures. If you are determined to have the real thing make sure you know that you are buying items made from naturally shed shells. I am an advocate for using the wonderful imitation versions and faux finishes that approximate the look of the real deal.




Tea caddies and other small chests were very popular items made from tortoise shell.
They remain chic regardless of the way they are used and defy the word "trend".


Tortoise shell gained it's popularity due to the work of Andre CharlesBoulle(1642-1732),cabinetmaker to 
Louis the XIV of France, who introduced and perfected marquetry combining thin inlays of tortoiseshell backed with metal, with woods and metal, a style still called after him. Small luxury objects such as snuff boxes were decorated in pique work, inlays of precious metals and jewels into tortoiseshell.  Here is artist Brigid Berlin's collection.

Tortoiseshell is attractive to manufacturers and consumers because of its beautiful mottled appearance and its durability. Many of the antique pieces have weathered the years beautifully.




Shells were imported via the Far East and as they became hard to find and expensive artist developed a way to paint a faux tortoise shell effect. This technique is used in today's interior design. Here the walls have been painted to represent tortoise shell.


Tory Burch's dining room with faux tortoise shell mill work.

Photo by Marylou Crowley via Arteriors

This is a beautiful faux tortoise shell ceiling.


Another fabulous ceiling.

Today you can find many ways to bring this element into your interior. Here tiles are used to surround the fireplace.


There is something so classic about the look of it. After all, it pretty much goes with everything.

source unknown

via pinterest

Natural accents like this add a worldly touch to any room without stealing all of the attention. In fact, the subtle print of tortoise shell is understated enough to blend into almost any setting.

Miles Redd

via pinterest

Michael Smith via Vanity Fair

Here is another style of faux tortoise shell.


You can have an artist create an entire tortoise shell room. Small rooms like these powder rooms are best for this treatment. 

This powder room is perfection!

Decorative painter Willem Racké

Todays acccessories are handcrafted of composites with hand-painted texture.Tortoise shell adds a well-traveled, British colonial feel to a space.


If you are creative try the paint technique yourself. The inside of  cupboards or shelves is a good place to start.

The Art of Framing blog

toastandtables.blogspot.com


There are many styles of  glass items that bring the feel of tortoise shell to a space.

houzz.com

Faux finished tortoise shell moldings, trim, cabinets and doors. Add the zebra motif and trunks and you have an exotic interior.




Chinoiserie panels with faux tortoise shell and silver painted frames Rosenborg Castle,
Copenhagen.The panels were originally lighter floral scenes, but were painted over in the 1660's by the fashion conscious king Frederick III.

josje-bouwt.blogspot.com

markuriuinc.com

More inspiration for faux painting!



Click on the link above for a tutorial on faux tortoise shell painting technique...and try it yourself!!









Click here to see the previous post!


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Lisa Farmer

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