Styling - Sarah Cousens. Photography - Sue Stubbs.

2015 was the year that marble crept from benchtops into homewares, laptop skins and clothing, and now minerals are taking centre stage in everything from fashion to interior colours, lighting and tableware. Our latest Object of Desire is a luxe take on the trend.

Once seen as the preserve of the New Age hippy set, minerals, crystals and geodes have escaped the '70s and are appearing as statement wall surfaces, tabletop pieces, lamp bases and even fashion (Aussie label Gorman's AW16 Geology collection is a collaboration with Melbourne Museum).

Image via Gorman AW2016 Collection.

"We're still seeing a lot of textural elements such as natural wood and stone in interiors. Minerals continue that organic feel, but they're a way to bring in vibrant colour and a hint of shine too. They also tie in with the planetary trend we've seen coming through in colours, form and lighting," says T&W stylist Sarah Cousens.

If you're already incorporating this year's mineral hues into your colour scheme – think Pantone colours of the year Rose Quartz and Serenity – then it's time to take the trend to the next level with our latest Object of Desire range of agate and quartz pieces.

Styling - Sarah Cousens. Photography - Sue Stubbs.

"I've always loved gemstones and minerals," says Brisbane-based jewellery and homewares designer Andrea Lennard of Andrea Estelle. "And I feel like it's really caught on in the past year or so." Picking up on the trend coming through from the US, Andrea began producing her range of gilded agate and quartz coasters, place settings and bookends for the Australian market about six months ago.

The striking agate geode pieces are sourced from Brazil, where they are cut, dyed in pinks and blues, and polished. Andrea adds 22-carat gold accents for a luxe edge. "I've seen customers use the larger geode place settings as cheese platters, wine trays or candle holders," says Andrea. "While the chunkier pieces look great on a sideboard or even in bathrooms."



Here are 4 tips from our styling team to dial up the luxe factor and work these statement pieces into your look at home:
1. Pair coasters and place settings with metallic accents and cutlery — the mix of natural and metallics create a modern luxe look.
2. Pinks are on trend, so brighten up your blush tones with bold, hot pink agate.
3. Don't forget your shelves, the bookends are the perfect pieces to brighten up a forgotten corner.
4. This collection is visually striking, so one piece is strong enough to stand alone and create a statement without crowding it using other decor.