I am recently attracted to emerald green and anything tropical. Colour psychologists – yes, they exist – state that green resonates with feelings of growth, safety and tranquility. Green is associated with forests, plants and water and nature. It can also be used to increase reading ability and I love a good book! Hospitals have used a particular shade to relieve stress. Others say it can add a sense of luxury and new beginnings giving a sense of excitement.

 

Those who read my blog, know that I have been practicing Feng Shui for years and that green is a key colour for our current French apartment of Family and Health. Our French apartment dining room is in this area. Suddenly we saw tropical accessories everywhere and bought a lovely Chinese jar and table cloth. We now have a theme. Against the rich walnut wood table, the chairs look great and there is the beginning of an inviting room. We painted the Chinese A-frame a soft green and added a rug. Our lovely Chinese green paintings were hung there, plants were added and a wonderful elephant lamp was found in a brocante!

How To Use

Emerald green is not for the faint hearted and while I have seen a whole room painted in the colour, you may want to consider some key points:

  • How big is the room and what is the light like – paint a piece of board and look at it in day and night light
  • Consider using green in the furniture or as an accessory such as cushions or curtains
  • What about painting one wall or using a piece of wallpaper for the same effect?
  • Check out the tone as yellow-based greens can look dirty and blue-based can look hard and cold

Complimentary Colours

Some interior designers go all out and use strong tonal colours in purples, oranges and reds. You have to know what you are doing here to get this right. Think of the colour rule – 60% main colour, 30% secondary and 10% as a highlight. We chose ivory to paint the room, emerald green in the chairs and accessories and navy blue to add as a highlight. Other combinations that can work include using a highlight colour such as yellow but selecting pale lemon to soften the look.

But I Rent!

You may be able to paint but check with your landlord. If you are allowed to, consider just one wall. I have seen stick-on wallpaper or tiles that can be used with great effect. Think outside of the box and paint boxes, baskets and cheap tables. I selected cheap greeting cards, cut off the backs and put them in cheap frames that I painted all the same colour. Visit Oxfam shops and gather vases and bottles of the same colour and group together. Green is the colour of creativity after all!