COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY SERIES: GREEN
Fresh and down-to earth, this versatile hue inspires new beginnings and comfort.
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Imagine a sun-drenched morning, dew-kissed grass underfoot, and the promise of a new day. Green embodies this optimism. It's the fusion of yellow's sunny disposition and blue's soothing embrace.
When you surround yourself with green, you're inviting both hope and serenity into your space.
Whether it's a zesty lime or a deep emerald, green adapts effortlessly. Its undertones determine its personality: warm and inviting or cool and refreshing. Like a chameleon, green can transform a space to suit a certain mood or purpose with ease.
Both appearing in Benjamin Moore's most popular colours, October Mist 1495 and Hunter Green 2041-10 show the adaptability of the colour family; from a more gently shaded sage that anchors and uplifts to a timeless dark green full of depth and elegance.
Two tonally different greens appear in Benjamin Moore's ranking of most popular colours, October Mist 1495 and Hunter Green 2041-10, showing the adaptability.
In a world of screens and artificial lights, green offers respite. It's the colour of balance. Falling in the middle of the light spectrum it requires our eyes to do little, to no, adjusting, making it a restful shade - a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect with nature.
In the following post, we'll delve into the art of infusing green into your home. Unveiling practical and decorative techniques, whilst exploring how various tones can evoke distinct emotions within your living spaces.
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Back to nature
The quintessential colour of nature, green, delivers a fresh and optimistic look to the home. It's this association with the natural world that allows it to effortlessly instil a sense of tranquillity and the feeling of being grounded. This gives good reason why the hue works particularly well when used on the exterior of the home. Whether a countryside cottage or a terraced townhouse, a soft sage green will not only complement landscaping, but also adapt well to various architectural styles'from traditional to modern'making it a versatile choice for any exterior home design.
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Taking on texture
Just as you observe veins on leaves and the rough bark on trees outside, texture also plays a significant role in our indoor spaces. You'll rarely see a solid matte green in nature, instead it is always accompanied by a multitude of different textures. Mirroring this in the home by layering different materials and tactile elements will add depth, interest and character to the room.
Panelling provides a clever, simple, and affordable way to infuse texture into a space, while also imparting a sense of luxury. It's also a relatively inexpensive way of completely transforming a room. Whether you opt for rustic tongue-and-groove panels, embrace more period-style mouldings or favour a contemporary reeded design, the effect is remarkable. Consider covering a single wall'perhaps behind a bed or sofa'to draw the eye and create an enticing focal point. This clever approach not only adds visual interest but also effectively zones the space.
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An apple a day' a shade for everyday
Green is a hugely versatile colour, whether you want to use it as an accent or let it take centre stage, there is a shade for everyone. The vibrancy of forest greens pairs beautifully with stark white, creating an arresting colour combination for a south-facing dining space. Meanwhile, a warmer hue will infuse an elegant, sophisticated ambiance. In the bedroom, a lush, warm green works beautifully to set a soothing mood.
Sage green, often considered a 'new neutral,' has earned this title due to the fact this is simply a wonderful colour to work with from kitchens and hallways to bedrooms and bathrooms, it's hard to find a room this colour doesn't work in. As an alternative to traditional neutrals such as white, it introduces a subtle touch of colour while maintaining a feeling of safety and familiarity. This shade creates a calm backdrop in bedrooms or bathrooms where relaxation is paramount. In a bedroom space where fabrics and textiles are much more on display, complete the serene haven by pairing the colour sage with a selection of sumptuous materials such as lines, cotton and wools.
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Reminiscent of the renaissance period, a deep emerald shade adds drama and luxury and is a hugely popular choice for cabinetry in the busy and bustling heart to the home ' the kitchen. Complete your vintage-inspired decor with staple pieces like traditional gold brassware and a mix of open and closed shelving. To achieve a fresh and airy ambiance that still makes a statement, consider contrasting the bold, dramatic green on the bottom units with a lighter neutral or white on top.
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Colours inspired by the 70s, such as terracotta, rust, and mustard yellows, have experienced a resurgence in our homes over the past few years. Among these nostalgic hues, avocado green has made a notable comeback.
With its sun-kissed golden undertones, this shade breathes life into any interior space. Both elevated and light, this is the perfect hue to match with neutrals for a chic look, whilst also working beautifully when teamed with deeper shades, such as rich chocolate browns or ocean blues. The key is balance: let this vibrant hue take centre stage while harmonising it with its colour companions.
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The perfect pairings
When it comes to interior design, pinks and greens are like old friends who effortlessly complement each other. These two hues, residing opposite each other on the colour wheel, create a delightful synergy. Combining lighter shades of pink and green results in a soft, subtle palette. Picture pastel ice cream hues'think strawberry sorbet and pistachio. When used together, they evoke a sense of tranquillity and optimism.
The beauty of this pairing lies in its versatility. You can incorporate it in various ways. For example, try highlighting all the woodwork or picture rails in either pink or green to create a harmonious flow throughout the room.
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Green, a timeless favourite, remains popular due to its natural beauty. Every home should feature at least one shade of green, as it brings warmth and enchantment with a versatility that knows no bounds.
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