Amber Waves of Great

The Amber Room, created in 1716 in St. Petersburg, Russia was considered to be one of the greatest art works ever made and became one of the biggest unsolved mysteries of WWII. It consisted of nearly a 100,000 panels made from six tons of amber. Created using the plentiful Baltic amber resin, each was backed with gold and silver and decorated with diamonds, emeralds, jade, onyx and rubies. It was said that when the setting sun hit the walls, the room would seem as if it were on fire. Dismantled and crated up in WWII after the ruse of covering the panels with paper failed spectacularly, it was subsequently spirited away by the Nazis and never seen again. Recreated in 2003, it is a faithful replica that tourists now see but where is the priceless original? Just uh-may-zing.

Amber remained popular in the 19th and 20th century in glass and jewelry. This exquisite tea cup showcases its translucent beauty. 

...as does the Czech perfume bottle here:

And some breathtaking lighting; a Baltic amber lampshade

Amber pumpkin glass with beading from the 20's

...and a typically Art Nouveau drop chandelier. It's a color that looks phenomenal with light shining through it to illuminate.

We tend to think that amber somewhat diminished during the Mid-Century surge in all things modern, but curiously that era is proving not to be devoid, when I see hip retro decor that employs not only amber in perspex, as they have here in Belsham, East London, and also some fabulously amber toned leather couches, as at the quite delicious Deerhurst Road. 
Remember these the first time around? I do!

So 'out there' they're way back in: 

While it's true there are some gorgeous current examples that hark back to the origins of amber in decor, such as this glorious mirror:

And this honeyed Moroccan Roll interior:

Amber is now being used in a very contemporary setting. This custom designed chandelier makes the best of both in The Grange

While at The Palace, they have a wholly decadent amber marble bath complemented by the amber tones of golden marquetry used to surround the room. Lush. 

How bloody marvelous though is this velvet couch? I lust after it, but I do have a fatal weakness for velvet. 

Touches of it will mellow out any room:

But The Butchery is hard to beat for going amber hell for leather. Super cool interior.