Going Green (In Color)
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
Yesterday at brunch, the Minister of Leaves said on the back of my pomegranate green tea bag: "Nature insists that green is the color of awakening." I began thinking about green. The color found abundantly in nature, heralding in the first signs of spring life and carrying us through the summer with a sense of abundance, green as a color can do much to enliven a home.
As with any color, the shade must be chosen perfectly because different greens say different things. Green can stand on its own as a brilliant central element of a room, or it can compliment another color. Green, for not being a neutral, goes well with just about any color. Ask yourself
1. if green is to play the primary or supporting role in the room,
2. how dramatically and fully you want to incorporate the color, and
3. what textures and details (plants, patterns, chair shapes, etc) can help the green integrate smoothly in the space.
These rooms show just how versatile (and appealing, and awakening) the color green can be.
As with any color, the shade must be chosen perfectly because different greens say different things. Green can stand on its own as a brilliant central element of a room, or it can compliment another color. Green, for not being a neutral, goes well with just about any color. Ask yourself
1. if green is to play the primary or supporting role in the room,
2. how dramatically and fully you want to incorporate the color, and
3. what textures and details (plants, patterns, chair shapes, etc) can help the green integrate smoothly in the space.
These rooms show just how versatile (and appealing, and awakening) the color green can be.
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GREEN WITH GREEN. Here the varying shades of green coordinate to enhance but not overpower this space. The touches of white (the artwork, furniture frame, moulding...) keep things balanced and light.
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GREEN AND BLACK. Black balances the white with this green tone (that you will also see in the above photo).
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GREEN WITH BEIGE. Literal greenery in the form of these fine plants add the color and life to this neutral room.
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| GREEN WITH BROWNS. The range of shades from nature give this room a subdued and calm atmosphere while giving variety in detail. The light chair and rug give balance and dimension, and draw in the wall artwork in the background. Private Comment
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GREEN AND WHITE. Classic and simple, bringing the outdoors in and helping to show off the tabletop flowers.
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| GREEN AND BLACK. Stark and modern, and enhanced with patterns. Private Comment
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| Here is the room in its entirety. Private Comment
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| GREEN AND NATURAL. The island showcases this great grassy green in the midst of light natural wood. Private Comment
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GREEN AND LIME. Cousins in the same color category, these two simple color additions set this bathroom off as something you don't see everyday.
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GREEN AND MARINE. In this favorite houzz photo, this cooler green provides a background for the stark white silhouettes throughout this kitchen. The room is softened by the table and chairs, and given great balance with the dark cabinetry and flooring, which would be beautiful as black or marine blue.
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GREEN AND ORANGE. Contrasting colors, this pea green and orange combination adds energy to this simple space.
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GREEN AND RED. No, not just for Christmas. These contrasting colors bring both calm and energy into a room, creating a great balance and a very interesting space.
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GREEN AND... EVERYTHING. Green is a wonderful color to add with whimsy to blues, reds, and yellows.
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| Yes green incorporates into eclectic mixes very well. Private Comment
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GREEN AND WHITE, PATTERNED. From the chair backs to the wallpaper, this simple room gets beautiful but not overwhelming finishing touches.
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| GREEN AND YELLOW. Staying strictly with yellow and green lets the colors integrate fully into the room without getting too busy. The blue touches are perfect. Private Comment
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Comments
Tricia Rose says:
I am suddenly noticing green more and more, so I think it's going to be my next favorite. Somehow there seem to be more greens than any other colour...
22 months ago ·
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Rebekah Zaveloff says:
I just LOVE that first space! Great post. Really helps people open their minds about how many versions of 'green' are out there.
22 months ago ·
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ArtisticBlend Designs says:
Nice post. I love the green limey bathroom! How refreshing?!
22 months ago ·
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Jennifer Avery says:
Thanks for validating my love affair with green. Energizing and peaceful at the same time, if that's possible.
22 months ago ·
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diana gillespie says:
Thanks for bringing green to the limilight, as a designer so many times clients hear the colour green and they get scared, but there as so many shades of green, with so many possibilities.
22 months ago ·
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amead says:
If you like green, check out Sherwin Williams' Sassy Green. A few of these rooms look like they could be painted in this color.
22 months ago ·
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bebong benoot says:
my room is green also the shade is called cornish clay
here is how it turned out
here is how it turned out
22 months ago ·
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michaelag says:
the lime green bathroom has inspired me to paint my all-white bathroom a similar shade. I
22 months ago ·
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ttaaffe says:
Gotta love this green and black office from Pottery Barn ! ! !
It's my all time favorite 'green' room . . .
It's my all time favorite 'green' room . . .
22 months ago ·
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emg609 says:
What wonderful spaces! I am desperately trying to redecorate in green. I have lovely mahogany and cherry furniture. Most of what I see in the pictures shows green with white furniture and, sometimes, black. If anyone has ideas about how to incorporate upholstered furniture in green with 'new traditional' style furnishings, I would love to hear about your suggestions.
21 months ago ·
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