Pretty As A Peacock

It’s seems almost apropos that the minute I’m inspired to write about the stylish trend of Peacock motifs, I would find an article claiming that the male peacock’s elaborate plumage perhaps has much less to do with attracting it’s mate then had always been thought. Instead a scientific study done on Indian Peacocks and Peahens cites the male bird’s vocal callings and shuttering moves may actually be what catches the female’s attention.

How very fitting, right ladies- it’s always what they say and how they move-not how they look that ultimately keeps us hooked!

Well regardless of why the peacock has such a spectacular showing of feathers, one thing is for sure their beauty has inspired countless artists and designers through the centuries.

Peacocks are spoken of in Ancient Mythology, The Bible and the Hindu religion. They are often used symbolically in literature and in folk art, often being depicted as looking back at their tails ( signifying renewal, since they drop and replace their feathers yearly).

Personally peacocks feathers always make me think of a time when Art Nouveau was actually ‘nouveau’ and of  lovely heroines caught up in some wonderfully heart wrenching Edith Warton plot.

can’t you just imagine using this Preening Pen ($20 from Anthropolgie) to scratch off a calling card to your family matriarch or passionately write prose dedicated to a secret lover!

This year peacock plumes are inspiring everything from evening gowns to eclectic bedding. A peacock inspired palette is one of the most vibrant themes happening in wedding trends as well.

Peacock plate by John Derian, Giambattista Valli gown from Fall 09, Matthew Williamson’s spring collection for H&M was influenced by peacock hues, a vintage peacock inspired umbrella, peacock top from Forever 21, art nouveau peacock slip on sneakers, peacock bedding from Target

Martha’s saying Peacock wedding hues is a ‘good thing’ this year

For home the colors inspired by the blues, greens and golden tones of peacock plumes have always been considered dramatic.

Whistler and the birth of the ‘Decorating Diva’ syndrome

My favorite is the very famous Peacock Dining Room, designed by the artist James McNeill Whistler for the art collector Frederick Leyland’s London home.  The story goes that Leyland intended to hang Whistler’s painting “The Princess From The Land Of Porcelain” in the room and asked the artist for a suggestion on what other colors to paint the rest of the room.

Leyland, away during the renovation was completely unaware that Whistler- unhappy with the way the room’s colors were clashing with his artwork – had taken it upon himself to paint every square inch of the space in gold and peacock blue ( it even has peacock feathers patterns on the ceiling).  When Leyland returned he was shocked to find his room had become a rhapsody in blue and gold.

He refused to pay Whistler the entire amount billed for the artist’s time spent as’ interior decorator’- Whistler later painted an image of two squabbling peacocks on one of the room’s walls depicting the conflict that ensued.  The room now resides in Washington D.C.’s Freer Gallery Of Art.

A brilliant blue peacock palette can also go a bit modern when combined with bright colors and white.  Kiki has a really great post about the trend of blues going green over on our blog Color For Your Home.

Her example of this bedroom by Kendall Wilkinson Design is my dream!

Overall though my favorite way to be inspired by a peacock’s colors for home is to simply look directly at the bird for color clues.  Multiple shades of brilliant blues and greens mixed with a little iridescent shimmer accented by shades of drab golds, browns and inky blacks.

If you have a room that basically browns and blues ( we all loved the choc-aqua trend), then an addition of another blue and some greens with golden accessories might be a great way to opulant- up the room’s overall look!

Or if you want to go very adventurous ( I know I do) then peacock blue walls with a metallic wash ceiling could result in a jewel box of a space! Doesn’t that sound so good- guest room redo, here I come!

swatch source House Beautiful

Benjamin Moore’s Baltic Blue, Mills Spring Blue, Hague Blue and Farrow and Ball’s Pelt all make an interesting foil to Benjamin Moore’s Paddington Blue ( a real peacock blue designer Robin Bell tells House Beautiful).

A quick palette just to get you inspired…now shake a tail feather and get styling!