Jungle Fever

I’m lusting after lush, well-hydrated, botanical prints like crazy. It might be the fact that Auckland is hot, yellow, scorched and parched, or that I’m still just obsessed with old hollywood glamour and turning my house in to some kind of pokey, southern hemisphere, suburban Beverly Hills Hotel, probably it’s both. It helps that emerald is the colour of 2013 and that I’ve kept my house palms alive for a month already (thanks to some help from more green fingered friends).

Of course for the ultimate in fabulous fronds, Martinique (the wallpaper designed for the Beverly Hills Hotel) is it, it’s also hard to get hold of unless you run a hotel it seems (also see Brazilliance by Dorothy Draper). So, I’ve done a round up of a few rainforest inspired interiors, wallpaper choices and accessories to get the look at (regular) home. I’m seriously regretting finding that sofa on Mr Bigglesworthy, it not being in my home is breaking my heart.

With such a statement wallpaper, classic black and brown furniture will look great (think leather safari chairs) but for me it’s the opportunity to go all out explorer and mix and match exotic curiosities – don’t forget the real plants either.

The inspiration: top: Brian Attwood & Nate Berkus’ home from Elle Decor. Lower left: The Lauders powder room (one of many I’m sure). Lower right: Marjorie Skouras home on Apartment Therapy.

The wallpapers: left top to bottom: Palm Jungle by Cole & Sons £75 per roll.  Happy Nature by Brewers Wallpapers £47.94 per roll. Happy Nature (with frogs) by Brewers Wallpapers £47.94 per roll. On right: wall mural by Mr Perswall 3.6m wide x 2.65m high, £220 (also available sans Ocelot).

The stuff: clockwise from top left: Framed Stag Beetle from The Insect Shop $38NZD, The Cockatoo print from $32NZD, The Aromatherapy Co. Rococco Kaffir Lime & Jasmine candle $30NZD, Jessica Light key tassels from Cush & Nooks $16NZD each, Faux antler chandelier from ezibuy $199NZD (I’m so excited about this – it would also look great whitewashed or sprayed a gloss colour), Glass bell jar from Madame Fancy Pants from $30NZD, Neon ostrich from Iko Iko $8.90NZD, Retro exotic birds lampshade by Bold Lampshade $200NZD, Table top yuccas from The Warehouse $14.99NZD each, Florence Broadhurst ‘Peacock’ cushion from Bolt of Cloth $79.95NZD, Bloomingville metal storage box from Perch Home $89NZD, Milo Baughman 1950′s sofa from Mr Bigglesworthy $2650NZD (isn’t this the coolest?).