Since ancient times people have been drawn to the rich amber and yellow tones and mottled, translucent material of tortoise shell. First imported to Rome from Egypt, real tortoise shell was taken from the hawksbill sea turtle and then turned into items such as jewelry. Later on in 17th century France it became quite the artistry, where people crafted everything from jewel cases and trays to furniture inlay out of it.
The mid 1850s saw the first synthetic material—made from celluloid—used to imitate tortoise shell. The height of popularity was reached during the 18th to early 20th centuries, and it wasn't until laws in the 1970s protecting sea turtles pushed faux versions of tortoise shell products into prevalence.
1. Geometric faux tortoise shell wallpaper by SuperStrata artisan Sylvie Bilger in the powder room of SuperStrata founder Jonas Everets’s home.
2. Hand-painted faux tortoise shell table by SuperStrata artisan Sylvie Bilger.
The decorative art of faux painting is an exceptional way to showcase the sought-after tortoise shell look. The process is demonstrated below by our artisan partner Sylvie Bilger, who trained at Van Der Kelen Logelain, the renowned decorative painting school in Brussels.
SuperStrata artisan Sylvie Bilger demonstrates her faux painted tortoise shell technique on a coffee table.
To achieve this distinct design, a mix of glazes are used to get that deep, reddish-amber color. Typically, a darker pigmented gouache or acrylic is painted in daubs over a lighter toned base color. A large duster brush is then used to glide over top to soften and blend.
Faux painted tortoise shell can be applied to furniture such as tables and folding screens, as well as on walls. Here you can see Sylvie's faux painted tortoise shell paper panels being installed one by one in The Carlyle.
1. Hand-painted faux tortoise shell paper panels created by Sylvie Bilger being applied one by one in The Carlyle.
2. Details of faux tortoise shell paper panels in The Carlyle by Sylvie Bilger.
1. Sylvie Bilger in the process of painting banana yellow faux tortoise shell walls.
2. Banana yellow faux painted tortoise shell doors and wall by Sylvie Bilger.
Sylvie designs wallpapers featuring her faux painted tortoise shell, often incorporating geometric and stenciled designs, or going for a collage style. This is especially effective in a smaller space like a powder room where it's fun to go a bit wild with the interiors. In collaboration with SuperStrata, Sylvie now designs both hand-painted wallpapers as well as digital wallpapers that we print for installation on site.
For a slightly more subtle effect, our artisan Lisa Stimpson creates tortoise shell inspired églomisé, made by laminating a patterned silk layer between glass. Regarding the forms this can take, think anything from fireplace surrounds and room dividers to tiles and tabletops, and consider adding gold leaf accents if looking for a bit of flair.
1. Geometric stenciled faux tortoise shell wallpaper design by Sylvie Bilger.
2. Faux tortoise shell inspired églomisé tile with silk interlayer by SuperStrata artisan Lisa Stimpson.
Whether you want to go for a deep amber or bright banana yellow faux tortoise shell design for your interiors, you are sure to make a powerful statement.