Olympic Lustre

Metallics have been a firm favorite in interiors recently with their sheen and lustre rendering ordinary objects luxurious and magical. With the Olympics just around the corner, we celebrate the charms of bronze, silver, gold and our other favourite metallics.

Golden Touch: Decorating an entire room in gold doesn't need to be gaudy and hard on the eyes. Create a soft and shimmering scene by building up layers of accessories in a colour palette of antique golds, pewters, ochres and caramels in varying finishes to add depth. Mix industrial and pastoral pieces to keep the look contemporary and fresh. We love the addition of this rustic wooden desk in the study, which keeps the overall aesthetic feeling subtle and natural. Hunt down similar pieces at vintage emporiums such as Junk Deluxe and Retrouvious.

(junkdeluxe.co.uk)
(retrouvius.com)

Subtle Touch: Re-create this dreamy brushed metal feel on your walls with organic grasscloth wallpapers. These metallic Glam Grass papers by Phillip Jeffries are finely handcrafted using jute, rush, boodle and sea grass then expertly woven and carefully laminated by artisans to create soft and subtle, shimmering textures.

(phillipjeffries.com)

Gold Dust: We can't think of anything more opulent and magical than these Peonia glass mosaic tiles from luxury tile brand Bisazza. Installed from floor to ceiling in a bathroom, this collection of yellow-gold tesserae tiles is mixed with a powder-pink background and creates a mesmerising gold-dust effect when applied to walls.

(bisazza.com)

Mix it Up: Metallics work best when mixing textures and finishes. We think these beautifully crafted Gold Antiqued Pyrite [back] and Cabochon Foundry [middle] tiles from Anne Sacks will add interest and depth to your walls. Our favourite is the Ribbed tile [front], which is from Sacks’ Direction collection and combines metallics with on-trend smart stripes.

(annsacks.com)

Rough Luxe: Metallics look great in pared-back spaces and this Moroccan Riad-style bathroom is a great example, having been coated with a gold sheen for a luxurious look. The huge, bowl-like basins also help to reflect the light around small, dark spaces and create atmosphere and drama. Try architectural salvage warehouses such as Lassco or West One Bathrooms for similar basin styles.

(lassco.co.uk)
(westonebathrooms.com)

Highlights: We love these water-based semi-gloss paints from Craig and Rose, which are made with shimmering metallic pigments. Create a feature wall with Silver Lustre, White Gold, Rich Gold, Burnished Antique Brass, or use them on dado rails and mouldings to create glinting highlights around the home.

(craigandrose.com)

Precious Metals: We love the new Precious accessories collection from Ilse Crawford and Georg Jensen, which celebrates timeless, elegant objects made from beautiful metals. Made from materials such as solid copper, steel, brass and glass, these candlesticks, vases and vessels will add a glint of elegant glamour to any home.

(georgjensen.com/uk)

Midas Touch: Entertain like a king with these super-covetable Midas carafe and tumbler from Front. Created using blown glass dipped in gold, each piece is beautifully irregular and unique.

(designfront.org)
(skitsch.it)

High Shine: Lighting is another great way to incorporate metallics into the home. There are so many great metallic pendant options on the market that can make your interiors shine. We think this style of lighting looks best in multiples within a minimal interior. Try Tom Dixon for contemporary styles and Historic Lighting for on-trend industrial designs.

(historiclighting.co.uk)
(tomdixon.net)

Celebratory Style: Think playful finish line with these beautiful tassel garlands from Confetti System. Made from foil, paper and Mylar tassels, these would look great as alternative Olympic bunting in the garden. Buy them from Other Criteria in London.

(confettisystem.com)
(othercriteria.com)

© 2012 Dalani Home & Living - written by Rohini Wahi
Photos courtesy of Crezana, Phillip Jeffries, Bisazza, Ann Sacks, GAP Interiors/Bieke Claessens, Craig and Rose, Front, Georg Jensen, Wit and Delight Blog, Confetti Systems