One of the many things I love about Washington, DC is the sheer number of (mostly free) museums that are minutes away from my home. That being said, it often takes out-of-town visitors to nudge me to take some time to enjoy them and their exhibits.
A few days ago, my nephew and I spent a good part of the day in two Smithsonians, including the National Museum of Natural History. While many flock to the Hope Diamond, we ended up getting sucked into the surrounding Geology and Gems & Minerals exhibits. Design-wise we've seen geodes as bookends and lamps and seen malachite as wall art and even inspiring wallpaper prints, so I thought I'd use my visit to explore some colors that caught my eye and could add a interest to your interiors...enjoy!
Striped La Jolla Basket (Medium: $128; Source: Serena & Lily)
While I neglected to get the name of this mineral (believe it may be chalcedony), this basket reminds me of the dusty pink shards (and, like the gems and minerals we saw, no two of these baskets are the same.
Pink isn't just for a girl's room, so try adding these to a mid-century design based in medium grays or navy blue. Baskets like these are great for adding style and storing a multitude of items - from spare throws or magazines to dog toys!
Ink & Ivy Rocket Armchair (Medium: $239.99; Source: Wayfair)
Continuing with some more muted tones, I love this pale jade-colored Mesolite - blending sharp and soft. This Ink & Ivy chair does just that with its strong structural wood lines and lighter upholstery (also comes in a bench).
This would be a great reading chair in a bedroom (pair with a matte metallic floor lamp) or you could use a pair to create a seating area (perhaps with a c-table) or to accompany a couch in a full living room setup.
Welbis Writing Desk ($321.99; Source: Joss & Main)
A bold blue is not for the faint of heart, but this lapis lazuli-inspired desk is a great accent in a home office or as a work space in a master bedroom. If you need a desk in a master, try mixing things up and pairing it with this matching chest as a side table on the opposing side of the bed.
Amber Harris is the owner of At Home DC, an interior decorator and a licensed real estate agent with Keller Williams Capital Properties working with clients in DC, Maryland and Virginia.