HF #228 | Christine Stoman

When Taylor Swift sings I polish up nice, best believe I’m still bejewelled, when I walk in the room, I can still make the whole place shimmer... you can be sure she is razzle-dazzling her audience.

Add the lyrics from the musical Chicago to the mix: Razzle dazzle 'em and you've got a romance!

Can you picture the jewels, the finery and the feathers, not to mention the rhythm and beat? Ah, delightful cabaret. Imagine that pizazz in your home. Imagine it in the form of jewels, in sparkles or in rich hues.

In degrees of comparison, the splendour of jewel tones such as emerald green, ruby red or sapphire blue are absolutely superlative. They make a minimalist space zing.

Whether you choose neutral drapes with bejewelled tassels, or scatter cushions with delicate, shimmering pearls or go for the metallic hues of gold, copper or brass, be prepared for heightened excitement in your room and life.

Jewels are out there, in nature. One could be daring and pair maximalism with jewel tones: a huge artwork depicting a scarab beetle in all its awe-inspiring metallic colours. And why not dress up as Cleopatra and throw an Egyptian party? (Such a pretty nose, don’t you agree with Asterix and Obelix?)

In Egypt, the scarab, in all its jewel-like beauty, was a powerful symbol of spontaneous creation, regeneration and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

If the scarab beetle seems too outlandish and superstitious, there are a few Namibian beetles that come close to matching their lofty Egyptian cousin. They would be proud to grace your walls, either singly or as a collage: Think of our Giant Emerald Fruit Chafer, the iridescent Small Green Dung Beetle or the Amethyst Fruit Chafer. You can revel in their gorgeous colours. Repeat your favourite beetle colour in a throw or two, or a set of glass vases to balance the shades in your space.

The rich reds and blues of jewels are a hallmark of vintage Persian rugs. They provide a certain gravitas to homes and even offices. These deep, saturated colours, combined with the detailed patterns, create a sense of weight and history. They anchor a room, add warmth and provide an aura of established luxury to both a home and a professional setting.

Yes, of course less is more and of course simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, but whatever happened to playfulness? Let’s pile on the gem tones. Who says one cannot style a room one degree short of gaudiness? Bohemianism is in fashion every now and then and self-expression has always been favoured. Your over-the-top is different to mine, but that makes life interesting!