“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”
e. e. cummings
This sun is in dynamic Gemini, signalling the next chapter in the Astro Interiors series – an exploration of the zodiac expressed through the eyes of architecture, interiors and most importantly, ideas to harness the sign’s energy at home.
Where Taurus gave us an earthy, grounding force, Gemini lifts us back up, on the exhilarating wings of infinite possibility. Gemini is the curious, clever kaleidoscopic air sign of the zodiac and has a iridescent, ethereal fast-moving feel. Represented by the symbol of the twins, Gemini is the chameleon of the zodiac, with a layer of emotional depth and empathy, beneath its sparkling outer glow.
After a season of hard work, inner nourishment and soulful self-care, Gemini season marks an uplifting reemergence and renewal of the energy we have been carefully tending to. It is a time to breathe a lighter, finer energetic quality into our everyday, navigating our way through space in an imaginative way, and with a beginners’ mind.
This is the astrological season to merge our visible selfhood with the underlying depths; to approach everyday life with inquisitiveness; to recognise our unique gifts and most importantly, share our limitless power to motivate, inspire, and captivate the world around us.
Mirror image.
Symbolised by the twins, Gemini encapsulates both the yin and the yang, with sensitive, quieter wisdom beneath its outer layer. Having experience of both energy states, Gemini can see the big picture and adapt to multiple points of view with accurate vision. In the same adaptable way, Gemini finds stimulation through a myriad of interests and is capable of tackling many things at once with efficient flexibility.
This can be expressed in an interior through zones of sociable space contrasted with private quarters that are concealed behind flexible moveable screens, glass panels, mirrored finishes or sheer curtains with a metallic shimmering quality. Reflective surfaces are key to a Gemini interior, they allow us to look deep into ourselves, as well as enhancing light in our space and according to Feng Shui, they guide auspicious energy into a space.
Air element.
Gemini is a mutable air sign, which provides a whimsical, lightness of spirit, experiencing life as a series of vibrating particles and pulses of energy. Curiosity is a key aspect to Geminians, the sign has a love of learning and pushes the boundaries to discover new perspectives, opportunities and to explore multiple interests and passions.
We can create this fresh feeling in our homes by opening windows on a regular basis, allowing the breeze to clear stagnancy. Clearing sluggish energy encourages a free flow of ideas, a willingness to let go of long-held beliefs, to question our perceptions and situations with enthusiasm.
Harnessing the stimulating air element can inspire our own creativity, originality and resourcefulness. Gemini moves at a fast pace, like a whirlwind, with a strong sense of positivity that often creates a spontaneous call for activity and adventure. Bringing treasured finds from travels will keep a home enchanting and intriguing, elevating it to become a true and full representation of its owner. For inspiration, head to the beautiful online homeware and lifestyle store of soulful homewares, We are Nomads, inspired by owner Jane Badu’s travels to Africa and beyond.
Kaleidoscopic colour.
After the rooted earthiness of a Taurus palette, Gemini catapults us forward into a dimension of lustrous technicolour. The sign encourages us to inch ourselves out of our nurturing cocoons, to recognise the light of our full rainbow spectrum, and to take flight.
Gemini lives life in prismatic iridescence which we can bring to our homes through shimmering, colourful artworks inspired by the shimmering wall hangings by Ghanian sculptor El Anatsui, Colombian visual artist Olga de Amaral and the gilded artwork of Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt.
Be brave with bold colour blocking, to evoke the iconic Villa Oasis, below, designed by the French architect, Paul Sinoir at the heart of Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech. The garden was created by French artist Jacques Majorelle and purchased in the 1980s by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé who worked to restore it to its former glory, see this ELLE Decor feature for the most illuminating look behind closed doors. It is now home to the Musée de Yves Saint-Laurent.
The special shade of cobalt blue used for much of the exterior building was inspired by the vibrant coloured tiles in Marrakech and in Berber burn-houses and is named Majorelle Blue after the artist.
Mercury the messenger.
Ruled by Mercury, planet of communication, Gemini is attentive and expressive. Driven by conversation, Geminians take an interest in everyone and everything, asking questions in order to gather useful information that is used to deepen relationships, and bring people together.
In the 1970s, Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill transformed a turn-of-the-century cement factory near Barcelona into ‘La Fabrica’, which comprised his home and head office, complete with a vast open-plan living space – a great example of Gemini principles within a home. Of his home and contrasts in his life, Bofill mused, “The factory is a magic place which strange atmosphere is difficult to be perceived by a profane eye. I like the life to be perfectly programmed here, ritualised, in total contrast with my turbulent nomad life.”
Unlike other air signs, Gemini is a clear thinker, able to see two sides of a situation and offer imaginative and well thought-out ideas. Gemini encourages a flow of communication and by tapping into Gemini energy we can express our needs in a direct manner. Gemini and its ruling planet Mercury, (also represented by the winged messenger of the Gods named Mercury in Roman mythology, akin to Hermes in Greek classicism) helps us to confidently transmit our thoughts in order to persuade and bring people around to our way of thinking.
Gemini is a natural networker (in the best kind of way), sensitive to the energy and atmosphere in a room, with an innate ability to seamlessly shapeshift, in order to facilitate useful and meaningful introductions. By ensuring a lyrical flow of space that creates ‘moments’, punctuated by statement pieces, there is an effortless ease in a Gemini-influenced home that is inviting and appealing to spend time in.
Sweet sensitivity.
Gemini can seem mysterious due to the great depths that underly the often bright, expressive exterior. The sign expels a great deal of outward-going energy, meaning that alone time is required to digest, read, create and contemplate other ways of sharing gifts with the world.
We can merge this contrast of outer appearance with inner depth in our homes by creating layers of unexpected materials such as featherweight linens with star-studded metallics, ethereal lighting with weighty fixtures and unusual colour combinations.
Another key element is a place for seclusion and privacy, such as a modest reading nook or a full-scale library that brings balance and a stimulating flavour to a provision of sociable space, where the art of conversation is naturally encouraged.
Gemini season moodboard:
