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To celebrate our birthday and mark 33 years of transforming homes up and down the country, we wanted to share some interior inspiration, with a twist. In keeping with tradition, the 33rd-anniversary is usually celebrated with a gift of Amethyst.
Amongst one of the most popular gemstones and mined all over the world, Amethyst is often used in jewellery, decoration and even as a catalyst to inspire home interiors. Unlike most other precious and semi-precious stones, amethyst is valued for its vibrancy of colour over carat. The rarest shade is known as ‘Deep Russian; the price of which is linked to its rarity.
This signature shade of purple is a result of impurities in the quartz. When iron replaces silicone in the crystal structure through irradiation, the mineral develops a light violet to deep purple appearance. Exposing the gemstone to heat can even transform the colour from its vibrant violet hue to a dark yellow or orange shade. Becoming Ametrine and if left exposed to high levels of heat for a longer duration it will even transition to the rare and wonderful Citrine gemstone.
The name Amethyst comes from the word ‘methustos’ prefixed with ‘a-‘, making the literal translation ‘not-intoxicated’. This origin can be traced back to ancient Greece where the stone was believed to prevent it’s owner from getting drunk. Ancients would the stone in hopes that it would cure their drunkenness or prevent them from succumbing to the effects of alcohol. This myth was further propelled by the story of titan Rhea who had given an Amethyst stone as a gift to the god of wine and madness – Dionysus.
But it’s not only the ancient Greeks who have historically valued the gem – Buddhist monks in Tibet also use Amethysts to make prayer beads that are believed to help with meditation and concentration. Using the stone to calm the mind, and they are not alone in this belief; Throughout the world, Amethyst gemstones have been thought to carry metaphysical properties that bring peace and restful sleep to those in possession of this treasure.
How to use Purple in your home
When it comes to using the various violet hues of Amethyst in your home, the peaceful and calming effect of this gemstone comes into its own. Pale lilacs can create an almost neutral colour scheme with a subtle purple flourish that uplifts the space and adds a pinch of playful positivity. Painted shades such as Farrow and Ball Calluna or Lick Purple 01 are great pale purple options.
Mid-toned purples, such as the shade Pantone518, is sure to create an inventive and vibrant space. A bold and exciting choice for contemporary kitchens, it has the power to unleash innovation and imagination whilst cooking.
Splashes of royal purple shades work wonders in spaces of all sizes. In this open-plan home, the addition of purple soft-furnishings and upholstery adds structure and depth to the room. Making it appear larger by encouraging your eye to move across the space and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Rich shades of purple, such as Graham & Brown’s Paint Colour of the Year – Epoch – can make a space feel infinitely more luxurious and warming. Perhaps the monks of Tibet are correct as Graham & Brown explain that ‘the colour has a calming effect on both the mind and nerves, and it can be uplifting and trigger creativity.’ This paint shade is accompanied by the Wallpaper of the Year – Timepiece. Available in the shade Amethyst. An artful print that uses a fibrous, shimmering mica paper and combining designs from their very first wallpaper, with ‘classic stunning florals and a sharp diamond geometrics’.
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