Tortoiseshell Shows Its Range
Meandering past eyeglass frames into tiles, coffee tables and more, tortoiseshell adds an exotic note to home interiors
Lisa Frederick
August 7, 2012
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately... More
Tortoiseshell usually gets lumped in with the preppy trends of the '80s, like Ray-Ban Wayfarers and prim headbands. But this classic material feels surprisingly fresh in today's interiors. Although true tortoiseshell, which traditionally comes from hawksbill turtles, has been banned to protect those creatures, imitation versions and faux finishes approximate the look of the real deal.
Try these ideas to add a little tortoiseshell chic to your decor.
Try these ideas to add a little tortoiseshell chic to your decor.
A tortoiseshell-print side chair adds a well-traveled, British colonial feel to this otherwise mannerly living area.
Tortoiseshell tile flows along this bathroom wall, creating a rich, light-dappled effect.
A tortoiseshell-pattern coffee table is vibrant enough to hold its own against the wildly patterned wallpaper.
Tortoiseshell-style tiles, arranged in a random, variegated pattern, enhance the strong geometry of this space in a totally arresting way.
These tiles are similar, but the harlequin pattern makes them feel more formal.
Tortoiseshell-stained floors give this spare space incredible depth.
A pair of tortoise shells gives this pretty sitting space the flavor of an old-fashioned cabinet of curiosities.
A tortoiseshell-inspired shade on this light fixture casts a much warmer glow than a simple white version would.
Looking to add a touch of tortoiseshell in your home? Check out the product picks below.
Looking to add a touch of tortoiseshell in your home? Check out the product picks below.
This glassware would enliven any cocktail party — or even a glass of afternoon iced tea on the porch.
Try this tortoiseshell knob on ivory painted furniture or kitchen cabinetry.
A sinuous chest of drawers wears a mottled tortoiseshell finish that resembles burled wood.
The intricate detailing of these tiles is refined even further by their tortoiseshell variegation.
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