Dear grey, we’re sorry to tell you this but it’s over, we’re leaving you. We remember when we first clapped eyes on you in the pages of some glossy interiors mag back in 2005 – it was love at first sight and we couldn’t keep our hands off you. There were tough times (our dabble with wallpaper in 2008), and happy times (remember all those tester pots?) – you must agree we’ve had a good run.
We made beautiful Pinterest boards together, and while it’s true we’ve built a home that’s totally Insta-worthy, it’s just not working for us anymore. We’ll always love you, we’re just not in love with you. To tell you the truth, there’s another colour. Her name is emerald. We’ve got butterflies just thinking about her. Here’s seven reasons why we’re in love...
Nothing could be more glamorous than a velvet, emerald green couch. It’ll exude opulence and bring decadence to any space – especially if you team it with a moody wall colour (maybe there is room for grey in our lives after all.) Try Ikea’s Stockholm sofa for a similar look – and don’t be shy about accessorising to the max with gemstone tones. What better space to recline in with a stiff G&T?
Forget kale – a kitchen like this is all you need for a healthy green fix. For a fresher take on emerald, a splash of deep sea green in a white kitchen makes for an inviting space. Again, texture is key here – the glossier and more imperfect the surface of your tile, the better. Try Mosaic Del Sur’s Zelliege range for a similar crackle glazed tile. Add a rustic element with chunky reclaimed wood shelves and loads of greenery.
Now there’s a lot to love about this kitchen. Brass lighting and fixtures? Check. Herringbone marble floor tiles? Yup. Black marble counter top? Naturally. Tessellating white tiles? Uh-huh. But what really brings it all together is the sexy shade of emerald green. It’s super easy to recreate this look and feel at home (well, in part.) Paint your cabinets in a lush shade such as Dulux’s Dublin Bay 1 – go for gloss for an even slicker effect. Finish with brass knobs from Swedish Ikea hackers Superfront. Et Voila! A kitchen that’s far too good looking to cook in. Take out it is then.
To the bathroom, where the trend for patterned geometric floor tiles hasn’t escaped emerald either. If money was no object, these Dandelion tiles by Marrakech Design would be our first port of call. For now, we’ll just have to dream. Giving your bath a lick of green paint however, is a quick and affordable update that’ll bring life to a boring bathing zone. That’s greenwashing we can get on board with.
Pattern mavens needn’t miss out on the green revolution. There are dozens of lush, emerald designs currently dominating the collections of wallpaper manufacturers. This is Cole & Son’s Palm Jungle design, a leafy and vibrant addition to bedrooms in need of wow-factor. Until our holiday kitty amounts to something substantial, this is the next best thing to waking up somewhere exotic.
This verdant green hallway is a lesson in making an entrance. How could you not love coming home to a space like this every day? We’re hardwired to find green soothing and uplifting, as it triggers the feeling of being surrounded by nature, so it makes sense to have this shade envelop you from the moment you step through the door. Green with envy, indeed.
The beauty of green is that it makes everything look fresh and vital – yep, even relics from the 1970s, such as rattan furniture and macrame, two trends from the seventies that are currently enjoying a revival. Team with succulents and cheese plants (more seventies throwbacks) and you’ve got yourself an interiors love-in.
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