The Gables Antiques

I was at Sam Flax Art & Design last week buying a Taschen book (of which they have a wonderful selection) for a designer friend’s birthday—the stunningly photographed Great Escapes Europe, part of the publisher’s Hotel Book series—when I stumbled upon a table of Pantone Universe Color Mugs and a sign bearing the directive: What’s Your Color? I left without making the impulse purchase, but decided that should I buy a mug, it would most definitely be in Pantone’s much-publicized 2010 Color of the Year: PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise—a shade that’s now showing up on every design avenue, from fashion to interiors.

As it turns out, the mugs are produced in only a limited batch of colors that do not include the hot blue-green hue we’re all currently clamoring for, but you can still make the splurge ($14.75) for the very similar PANTONE 3272C Turquoise in a pinch. Sam Flax also sells them in 13 other striking shades for your every color mood.

Still, I believe the best colors are those that have the power to transcend trends as much as they remain rooted in the classics. So today, I thought I’d share my favorite turquoise-accented rooms that have been previously published in the pages of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. They demonstrate turquoise’ timeless staying power while revealing the keen eyes for design our local talents continue to have, despite the season:

A quiet coastal porch designed by Carter Kay recalls the colors of the seashore just beyond.

Katie and Ian Walker's dining room features a trio of some of the most gorgeous turquoise chandeliers I've ever seen—and turquoise accents to boot.

Judith Schindler and Sudi Cecil added turquoise accents to a neutral scheme and with them, a whole new vibrancy to the room.

I love the subtlety of the trellis-pattern wallpaper Mallory Mathison chose for her space in the 2009 Decorators' Show House—and how well its graphic turquoise combines with rich gold.

Local artist Andrew Crawford and his wife added the ideal pop of this shade to the living room in their Westside cottage. Don't you love how well it mixes with bronze and caramel brown?

Designer Billy Roberts enveloped a room in turquoise at a client's second home in Sea Island. Even in large quantities, this color promotes a relaxed mood.

Be sure to read The Gables Antiques team’s own take on turquoise on their new blog—another current obsession!

blog.thegablesantiques.com