WE’RE KEEN ON GREEN

• Published date: 07 September 2022
• Publication title: Stratford Press

Replacing dated cushions, clearing clutter or a simple lick of paint doesn’t sound like much; but walls painted in a heavenly misty green can transport you to the French alps or the seafoam waves of the Coromandel. This is a testament to the power of interior design and, notably, paint

Take green, for instance; its beauty all around us. The trees, grass and rolling hills celebrate the nuances of this colour. By seeking inspiration from nature’s bounty, you can create what could be the most inviting place you can think of.

Taking your cue from idyllic settings will bring in the rich beauty of the natural world through dark or light tones. Now more than ever, we want this balance of tranquillity and energy in our homes.

But it’s not just any greens that are taking our fancy. We are saying goodbye to greens with elements of blue in their make-up, Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins says. “Greens are moving away from the blue-based tones, such as the duck-eggs, into the warmer palettes of yellow-based versions of sage or olive.”

This is partly due to us continuing to spend more time at home. Creating an interior that rewards us emotionally is becoming more appealing. “Because, thanks to lockdowns and restrictions we’ve been spending more time at home, so we want to warm up the colour tones to make us feel more nestled in at home. We’ve had the cool colour palette be on trend for so long that it’s done its cycle, and the next cycle is the opposite, bringing in those warm tones.”

“The appeal of green is that it’s a reflection of nature,” Amy says. “Using those traditional natural tones means they aren’t something people get tired of quickly because we’re used to seeing it in our day-to-day environment.”

On-trend greens include the cool olive green of Resene Avocado and the evocative blend of green with brown in Resene Siam. “Both are in the yellow-based ochre-toned greens,” Amy says.

But don’t assume every warm green is yellow-based. “Some greens are simply classified as warm because there is clarity behind them,” Amy says. “So, say Resene Forest Green, which almost has a kind of olive edge or emerald colour tone, doesn’t have any blue tone. Even the lighter Resene Xanadu is a form of pastel, but there is still depth.”

More and more, we see these warm greens used in spaces where we can sit back and relax. “We’re seeing green in bedrooms and living areas,” Amy says. “In bedrooms, we’re more likely to immerse ourselves in the colour, so it’s most often used on...