Green is back thanks to interior designers who are embracing eco-fashion.
New house designs and renovations are being dominated by a philosophy of embracing the environment and stepping lightly on the planet.
Judicious use of indoor plants is blurring the lines between lounge rooms and outdoor entertaining. Soft furnishings of natural fibre are replacing man-made fibres. Carpets that hold dust and mites are being ripped up for new or reclaimed floorboards.
Green has emerged as a favourite colour as part of this sweeping focus on introducing nature into the home. Not since the 1930s have we seen green so popular and, depending on the shade, it can be used as both a warm or cool colour.
Living rooms and bedrooms are favourites for a splash of green. It works best when used as a strong colour on a feature wall and really pops against the beauty of natural floorboards.
A big mistake is to dial it down. A compromise choice such as “mint” can deliver a featureless, wishy-washy atmosphere so go for a statement green.
Here are a few tips to show your eco-fashion credentials and embrace green:
- Bedrooms love green. Lush, deep greens are soothing and warm – perfect for a modern bedroom. You can paint a feature wall, or pick out a green bedhead and find complementary linen to create an atmosphere full of nature. New or reclaimed floorboards are a wonderful complement.
- Commit green to a feature wall. There are so many green shades to choose from, but use a strong, vibrant green that will contribute to the nature-focused interior of your home.
- Don’t forget the fixtures and fittings. If you’re not convinced about a feature wall, consider curtains and soft furnishings of green. A chair of green upholstery works fabulously, too. You can make brand new items feel vintage with green.
- Lush greens for the exterior work wonderfully. Consider using green for planter boxes or, if you have them, window shutters. Tropical and native plants in green pots provide a fabulous finish.
- Paint your front door a bright green. Nothing lifts an entrance like a splash of gloss on the front door. The brighter the green, the more fun your house will feel. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to lift the presentation of your home when you’re selling or leasing.