Tortoiseshell Shows Its Range

Meandering past eyeglass frames into tiles, coffee tables and more, tortoiseshell adds an exotic note to home interiors

Lisa FrederickAugust 7, 2012

Houzz Contributor. After journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.

Tortoiseshell usually gets lumped in with the preppy trends of the '80s, like Ray-Ban Wayfarers and prim headbands. But this classic material feels surprisingly fresh in today's interiors. Although true tortoiseshell, which traditionally comes from hawksbill turtles, has been banned to protect those creatures, imitation versions and faux finishes approximate the look of the real deal.

Try these ideas to add a little tortoiseshell chic to your decor.

A tortoiseshell-print side chair adds a well-traveled, British colonial feel to this otherwise mannerly living area.

David Wilkes Builders

Tortoiseshell tile flows along this bathroom wall, creating a rich, light-dappled effect.

Kit Pollard

A tortoiseshell-pattern coffee table is vibrant enough to hold its own against the wildly patterned wallpaper.

Dunlap Design Group, LLC

Tortoiseshell-style tiles, arranged in a random, variegated pattern, enhance the strong geometry of this space in a totally arresting way.

Gingerwood

These tiles are similar, but the harlequin pattern makes them feel more formal.

Tom Hurt Architecture

Tortoiseshell-stained floors give this spare space incredible depth.

Phoebe Howard

A pair of tortoise shells gives this pretty sitting space the flavor of an old-fashioned cabinet of curiosities.

User

A tortoiseshell-inspired shade on this light fixture casts a much warmer glow than a simple white version would.

Looking to add a touch of tortoiseshell in your home? Check out the product picks below.

Four Tortoiseshell Red Wine Glasses

This glassware would enliven any cocktail party — or even a glass of afternoon iced tea on the porch.

Tortoiseshell Swirl Knob

Try this tortoiseshell knob on ivory painted furniture or kitchen cabinetry.

Marlowe Bombé Chest

A sinuous chest of drawers wears a mottled tortoiseshell finish that resembles burled wood.

Glass Mosaic

The intricate detailing of these tiles is refined even further by their tortoiseshell variegation.

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