GLOBAL STYLE: TUNISIAN TURQUOISE

The brilliant turquoise blues adorning Mediterranean doors and rooftops have long been the quintessence of holiday postcards, but who knew all this beauty was inspired by function? Ancient civilizations actually believed turquoise could ward off bad luck and evil spirits, which is why the color is such a popular choice!
Dar Bibine, a hotel located on a Tunisian island in the Mediterranean, has embraced this historical color palette and updated it by combining archaic architecture with modern designers such as Panton, Gehry and Starck to create a completely fresh style. The clean white lines of traditional Tunisian buildings create the perfect backdrop for this updated design.
The evil-fighting properties of turquoise translate as well into clothing and jewelry, protecting people in the form of pendants, belts, and bracelets. You may be familiar with the blue “evil eye” prevalent in jewelry from Turkey and Greece which goes so far as to cause bad luck for whomever it is directed at!
Even if you're not totally convinced of its powers, there is no doubting this color's calming effect on the psyche, dissolving tension and promoting tranquility.

And as Pantone says of their Color of the Year 2010, "It's not just blue or green, it's both, which means it's calming and invigorating at the same time. And it makes you think of escaping to someplace tropical and beautiful" ... Say perhaps, Dar Bibine, Tunisia?

*images via: darbibine, netaporter

22 comments:

  1. suzi27.7.10

    so amazing. I was really inspired by the blues in Tunisia last year too. They made their way into many of my spring 2010 designs.

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  2. ashlina {the decorista}27.7.10

    so so so pretty!

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  3. Erika27.7.10

    Dar Bibine has just been added to my list of places to go ASAP. And when I go, I will definitely be wearing those sandals.

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  4. Linz27.7.10

    SO fresh. i took a deep and cleansing breath when i saw these photos.

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  5. Anonymous27.7.10

    I didn't know that turquoise has the ability to ward off bad things! These pictures are stunning and thanks for the info :)

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  6. Unknown27.7.10

    The gorgeous color alone is enough to entice me to pack my bags!

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  7. boops27.7.10

    it's so refreshing to see things like colour from a different cultural perspective. it makes me rethink my own perceptions.

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  8. Unknown27.7.10

    gorgeous styling; love the outfit with it! oh what i wouldn't do to be wearing that dress and earrings at the dar bibine right now!!

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  9. Unknown27.7.10

    by the way, who was the winner of the sperry giveaway?!

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  10. Caitlin27.7.10

    This color blue makes me so happy!

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  11. Middlin'27.7.10

    Gorgeous pictures :) But I had always heard that the glass evil eyes absorb the bad luck others send your way. When it has absorbed as much as it can it will break and you need to get a new one to protect you!

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  12. dovecote Decor27.7.10

    If turquoise wards off evil, I do see why. I wear it almost daily and particularly like it with gold. I am a lucky girl, so I'll keep it up. I don't have it in my house, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't go there. I love it with the white.

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  13. EDYTA & CO. INTERIOR DESIGN27.7.10

    Love turquoise!!
    I remember, for my Thesis project in design school I designed a club/lounge with these inspirations ( i think it was the greek isels) :),, white and turquoise were the prominent colors,,,, thank you for reminding me of those fun days :)

    xo
    Edyta
    http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/

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  14. Staci Edwards27.7.10

    Very much in love with those sandals!

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  15. Nora Sheils27.7.10

    I need to book a trip to Greece...just to wear that dress!!

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  16. A BRIT GREEK27.7.10

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  17. annie28.7.10

    love the colours! it's just like our greek islands!

    http://anmarkdesign.blogspot.com/

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  18. Anonymous28.7.10

    beautiful!

    really love those earrings and white dress at the end of the post! just gorgeous!

    www.meg-land.blogspot.com

    xx

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  19. simone leblanc28.7.10

    BEST color combination ever!

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  20. sera28.7.10

    this is so so gorgeous! and I can totally see it with a little pop of coral. it is definitely a respite for my workday... thanks!

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  21. LiveLikeYou28.7.10

    I'm RUNNING home to paint something turquoise. I don't need any more bad luck!!!

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  22. Unknown5.8.10

    What is it about these colours that just makes me feel calm ........... sigh.
    leedsgirlnextdoor.blogspot.com

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