Colour Crush: Pantones Greeney
So with the end of the a fairly dismal 2016 coming to an end it’s time to look for new shoots of optimism as we march into the new year. I LOVE a new year. I’m not interested in the parties and hangovers anymore. I’m talking about the exciting expectation of a blank canvas, a new sheet of paper that a new year promises. Out with the old and in with the new! We’ve been doing so much gardening this Autumn, including taking out over 100 Leylandi trees, that we are going to have the most almighty mother of a bonfire. I’ve been saving it for New Years day, to symbolise the end of the past year and making way for the new and throwing all our old cares into the fire. It’s very cathartic and highly recommend it. Go on, chuck it all on the fire!
So my blank canvas will involve lots of decorating. We’ve got our annex to dec out as well as getting around to transforming the inside of my currently beige box of a house. (I know, I’ve been sooo slow getting around to it). So I’m always intrigued to see what taste makers and colour forecasters have in store for us. Those smart people at Pantone have declared their colour for 2017 as ‘Greenery’. Now Interiors passion for all things green is nothing new, so the hue in itself doesn’t surprise me. We’ve all been lusting over the Botanical trend for what feels like ages. But the tone. Its so perky and bright! And while we’ve all been sashaying around dark spaces swathed in inky blues and charcoal grey I did find myself taken aback a bit. Pantone claim there is a real urge in the world for green and everything it stands for. Leatrice Eiseman, Director of the Pantone institute reflects:
“Satisfying our growing desire to rejuvenate and revitalise, Greenery symbolizes the reconnection we seek with nature, one another and a larger purpose”. Nice idea, I can sign up to that.
Interestingly this very vivid colour has so far missed the mark with the design aficionados. My knee jerk reaction was it felt dated and very 19090’s Changing Rooms. I’m picturing a Linda Barker moment complete with bamboo screen and rattan garden furniture. Then there were those that just saw pure Kermit the frog. Designers it would appear would rather see a more foresty green or sumptuous emerald. But this greenery green it’s far from sophisticated. It shouts. Look at me! I’m a juicy green apple! Pick me! But already I find myself intrigued and ready to embrace the new trend. I think I could enjoy adding some positive new shoots of green into my own forthcoming projects. I think it’ll add some bite.
So here’s where I stand with the little powerhouse of a colour. First off I do kind of love its perkiness but I’m seeing it as a pop rather than a wall-to-wall affair. You could keep it fresh with its obvious crisp white but I’d much rather see it with the dark stuff. Green looks alluringly crisp next to the sultry greys and dark forest greens. There’s no easier way to add the colour by introducing some botanical prints and plants to the design. House plants are officially cool again if you missed the memo!
Image from Marks and Spencer
Green also sings like a lark next to crimson pink or Clementine orange. It’s one of my all time favourite colour combinations. When I think of apple green and I think classic trellis style wallpaper. Its quite a tried and tested way to decorate an attic bedroom in wall to wall and ceiling pattern as it helps to iron out the awkward angles. But in this bold graphic trellis doesn’t it look incredible. I know you’re all going to ask where it’s from ,but I don’t know, (can anyone help me?) but there are gazillions on the market so it’s a very easy look to get.
When using any punchy colour I think it’s also a great idea to team it with a punchy pattern. One of my all time favourite classic prints is this Carnival print from Christopher Farr. Then the liveliness of the green is perfectly balanced with a cool grey on woodwork and upholstery.
One of the hardest things about this particular hue is it has alot of yellow in it. It’s seriously high energy so you’ll need to think of the best type of room to use it in. To sunny and you’ll need shades. However it could make a wonderful welcome in a social space and tank up the crispness with some super sharp monochome. The key to this rooms success for me is the antique furniture and classic lantern. Because lime green can be a like a toddler on aspartame so you need to work hard to keep it classy. For me old gear always does that, it helps keeps brights classy. Withe the same sentimate if you have a classic or traditional home, consider a bright pop of green to make it feel young again.
image source
In fact I think black might be the perfect partner to this adolescent colour. I love this statement lamp from Pooky Lighting. The glass base really lets the light make this zesty green hum but it’s then quickly sobered up by a sensible black linen shade. If you have a grey interior design scheme already in place (and lets face it alot of us do!) then a little Greenery could be all you need to lift it into 2017 with some fresh optimism.
[Featured image styled by Mary Norden, Photographed by Adrian Briscoe for Red Magazine]
