Malachite!...I'm green with envy!

Hermitage  St. Petersburg

How much more classic can you get than malachite in decorating?

  Tony Duquette Inc., makes this fabulously decadent malachite fabric printed on cotton(and offers other precious mineral interpretations) ....

 Tony Duquette collection Malachite chair

... this is also the fabric used for the malachite chair.

Cole-and-Son offers this malachite wallpaper for interiors.

Dawnridge-Duquette photo

Tony Duquette understood the power of malachite in interior settings mixing with other classic elements.

Brimfield/Brimfield 

This decorative piece by Brimfield and Brimfield adds  just a touch of malachite to give any room richness.

Dawnridge-Duquette photo

The deep green mineral has been mimicked in design for decades. This was photographed at Dawnridge and also features a screen with Duquette fabrics through Jim Thompson. As you can see, it packs a large punch!

The Grand Canal

This photo is from a private residence on the grand canal in Venice...Zuber wallpaper combined with faux malachite pilasters and trim....perfection!

The Elusive European Blue

I have been drawn to this glorious color throughout my life.  To me, it represents all things wonderful in France and Italy.  Not blue or green by American standards, european blue is a dull,  watery blend of green and blue, often with a patina that is hard to replicate.  After many trips to Europe, I have decided years of pollutants including candle soot, diesel exhaust and nicotine give this color it's unique patination!

This door is in the heart of Venice. Years of Adriatic salt and weather have only enhanced the watery color.

                                                            detail of door

Even Zuber handblocked wallpaper is famous for use of this color.
The placemats used in Laduree exhibit the same hues.
This fabulous wall is from Le Musee Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris. 
Oxidation of copper dome-Paris

The picture at the top of the post is the results of this journey. My client simply wanted this reproduction console to "look like Europe".  It was achieved using Farrow and Ball colors Card Room Green, Berrington Blue, rottenstone, lime washes and other techniques.