The Promise of Green
The possibility of new beginnings always feels like the color green to me. Green brings to mind the promise of spring with its life and growth, as well as the vitality of the evergreens that gracefully stand strong all through the winter. I’m sure there’s a deep metaphor in there somewhere. In any case, if green had a report card, it would say “plays well with others.” Green is such a versatile color, it’s no wonder it is so enduringly popular in interiors.
There are greens that evoke less pleasant associations, of course – hospital green, for instance, the color of hospital scrubs and, inexplicably, a lot of institutional walls. Hospitals only add insult to injury by throwing fluorescent lights into the mix. THAT combination would make any sensible person run screaming the other direction… but I digress. Let’s get back to the PRETTY greens – evergreen, sage, seafoam, grass green, forest green, kiwi, lime, spring green, celadon, jade – the shades of green are endless. So, how do you choose which ones to use in your decor?
Greening Your Space: A Journey of Possibilities
Let me just say that nearly any shade of ANY color can be used successfully SOMEWHERE in some proportion. Our perception of color is so dependent on so many other factors – the natural light in the room, the other colors in the room, the light bulbs and lampshades you choose (please don’t choose fluorescent – for how to choose the right lightbulbs, see this post) – that certain colors will sing and certain ones will swear, as a friend of mine used to say, depending on the conditions. As always, I urge you to select your colors in the space you will be using them. Please don’t select them just from a picture in a magazine or online, or even from a paint chip while standing in the paint store. It will not look the same in your house. This post has more tips on the dos and don’ts of paint selection.
Back to green. Green can be used in so many different ways in a room – from wallcovering and paint to cabinetry and built-ins. You can wrap a whole room in shades of green to create any mood, from dramatic to soothing. Or you can choose to use green as an accent color in furnishings or on a kitchen island, in fabrics or accessories. Green always works, and deployed well, you can mix many different shades of green to great effect – just look outside for inspiration.
Embracing the Moods of Green
Green can evoke a variety of moods depending on the shade and the circumstances. This moody, imaginary powder room with green millwork and wallpaper is elegant and dramatic. Take a look at our gallery for more inspiration.
A deep green can be warm and cozy, like in this pocket library/office project. We designed built-ins for two walls of the room and painted them all in a forest green.
This soft green that wraps the millwork walls and ceiling in this fantasy library creates a tranquil mood.
We chose a soft sage green for a fresh look in this master bath, with its sage and gray marble mosaic tile floor. A wrought iron vanity stool echoes the leaded glass pattern in the cabinetry and interior windows.
Green is a natural (no pun intended) with wicker, bamboo, and brick and stone, as you can see in this sunroom.
Vibrant Accents and Timeless Pairings
Another very effective way to use green in your decor is to paint the millwork or cabinetry green. This predominantly white kitchen is given life and interest with a vibrant green island. Green loves brass too!
Green and white is always fresh and classic. This butler’s pantry would be a timeless addition to any home – we did a similar pantry in navy blue for our antique farmhouse project.
Green is also a great introduction in large furniture pieces. As nature’s neutral, it adds a shot of color but goes with pretty much whatever other color you want to add, making it infinitely flexible should you want to update your color scheme at some point. In this garden-inspired library, we used a velvety chenille stripe in a rich green on the two largest upholstery pieces. It’s a color that won’t readily show dirt in this heavily used space, and it furthers the garden feel. We also painted the backs of the bookcases in a contrasting soft celery green.
Green in the Details
A green painted china cabinet adds color to this pretty dining room space, and a green headboard is a nod to color in this otherwise neutral bedroom.
With a strong, warm color on the walls, the green furnishings in this room play a balancing role. Moss green chenille on the sofa and hunter green leather club chairs peacefully coexist, tied together with throw and pillow fabrics, drapery trim, and the variety of shades in the selected carpet.
Not all green rooms are obviously green. Khaki with just a hint of green was the ideal color in this master suite. The starting point for this room was the oriental rug, and we found the perfect fabric in the silk and linen woven used on the windows – the client fell in love with the pale apricot green and cream watery floral. Varying shades of green in furnishings, accessories, and paint were the perfect complement to accent these foundational patterns.
Greening Your Furnishings
Wallpaper is trending in bathrooms again, as seen in this glam Florida bathroom remodel. This spa green peacock wallpaper absolutely MAKES the room. Check out more bathroom remodel ideas to get inspired.
These gorgeous new fabrics just arrived from Stout in glorious greens, and I am loving all the texture. They are all wonderful, but the embroidered fabrics are my kryptonite. There are so many great shades of green paint, from sagey pale gray-blue greens like Healing Aloe to taupe-tinted gray-greens like Killarney and pale yellow-greens like Greenmount Silk. Limesickle is my go-to color for a mid-tone yellow-green that works in almost any space. The deeper tones look great in a finish with a bit of sheen to reflect some light – beware, though, the higher the gloss, the more it will highlight any imperfections on a flat surface.
As you can see, green is a versatile and enduring color choice that can transform your interiors in countless ways. Whether you opt for bold, dramatic shades or subtle, soothing tones, incorporating green into your furniture and decor can bring the promise of nature’s vitality and growth into your home. So, start “greening” your interiors today and experience the art of eco-friendly furniture selection at Unfinished Furniture!
