The JuJu Hat: Are you over it?

Last night I was watching Dear Genevieve on my DVR. Genevieve was decorating a small office, the focal point of which was going to be a juju hat. And it got me thinking how fascinating it is that these feathered Camaroonian ceremonial headdresses (also known as tyns) have become the darlings of the design world. How in the heck did that happen? Sure, they add a wonderful pop of color and texture to  a wall and are a fun conversation piece. But now, with their debut on HGTV, they've officially gone mainstream.

So the question I have for you is: are you over it? I'll be honest, I've got mixed feelings on the subject. I hate the idea of spending several hundred bucks on what is probably just the next "Keep Calm" trend and yet I can't deny their ability to add some wonderful color and texture to a space -- as all of these wonderful examples show.

Sally Wheat (via High Gloss)

As an avid fan of bright color, I can't help but be drawn to the bright orange juju hat against the soft gray walls. The color also ties in nicely with the orange flowers on the mantle. Sometimes, it just takes a little splash of bold color to make a big statement.

Laura Day

Another brilliant red-orange example, this time against a bright yellow wall. There's just something so incredibly happy about these colors; this is a room that could make even doing your taxes less chore-like.

Jenn Cranston (via Canadian House and Home)

In a room full of whites and neutrals, the white juju hat adds a nice touch of texture (essential for keeping a neutral space from being a total snooze fest).

Elizabeth Martin (via Elle Decor)

I've got to say, I'm falling more and more in love with orange everyday -- especially when played off against blues or grays. It just feels incredibly fresh and sophisticated but still (and I think this is so important in design) fun. The hat's African origins compliment the other exotic accessory choices, including the zebra skin rug.

Alessandra Branca

This pink and chocolate brown lounge is an all-time favorite of mine -- and I only just noticed it sports a white juju hat on the wall! I think the white juju plays up the crisp white trim nicely and really pops against the hot pink walls. It's also a fun mix with the Chinoiserie print chairs and traditional furnishings.

LivingEtc

Of all the examples of juju hats I found, this bubblegum pink (with a dash of black) version might be my favorite. It fits perfectly over the asymmetrical fireplace and is balanced nicely by the narrow tapestry in the adjacent niche.

Hout Bay Manor, South Africa

Two red jujus, one over each doorway, are a nice way to highlight the red trim around the walls. I must say though that what I'm most drawn to in this room is that stunning floral artwork over the sofa, which is really just stunning.

Photograph by Melanie Acevedo

I love the bright, warm colors of this room, which are nicely tempered by the white walls and neutral sofa. I'm a big fan of very traditional Victorian spaces painted out in white and decorated in a modern, colorful style. It just always seems to work.

The rich jewel tones of this room are fantastic. Despite the fact that nothing "matches," all the bright colors work so beautifully together because they're all the same level of saturation. The lack of print (save for the over scale floral of the rug) keeps the noise level down as well. Could all this be achieved without a juju? Absolutely, but it's a eclectic touch that works well with the Moroccan pouf, midcentury chair and loveseat and the very ornate console. By the way, I have no idea who to credit this room to. If you know, please share so I can give proper credit!

Where to Buy. If you're not over this trend, there are a number of good e-stores that carry jujus in a variety of colors and deliver internationally:

Laviva Home (USA)
Table Tonic (Australia)
Design My World (UK)

So now that I've shown you some examples, I want your opinion.

poll by twiigs.com