“I don’t think it’s controversial to say that being in nature is one of the greatest simple pleasures on Earth. As humans, we have an inherent need to connect with greenery and the natural world as we are increasingly tethered to screens and technology – it calms us, clears the mind and helps us feel alive,” says Elaine Skinner, Design Director of Hops and Camellias.
The colour of nature
Green is the colour of nature and is considered the most restful colour for the eye, bestowing a sense of calmness and security when used in interior design. It symbolizes growth, harmony, freshness, and fertility, and generally makes people feel emotionally safe. Not surprisingly architects and designers are increasingly ‘designing-in’ nature to new city spaces and we have seen a rise in boutique houseplant stores and city conservatories to help foliage starved folk get their ‘mini-fix’ of the green stuff.
A versatile shade
While the in-your-face grassy shade of Pantone’s ‘Greenery’ may not have broken into interior design schemes, related green tones and shades have been applied with great success. Well suited for any room in the house, green can have a calming effect when used as the main colour for decorating.
Khaki has now become a classic staple shade, a bit like navy and black, while more exotic tones of jade and forest green have filtered through to home interiors in combination with rose and warm metals for a really luxe look.
In traditional colour psychology, the various shades of green can evoke completely different feelings. Dark green is associated with ambition, greed, and jealousy, while aqua is associated with emotional healing and protection. Yellow-green can indicate sickness, cowardice, discord, and jealously, while olive green is the traditional colour of peace. All that aside, Elaine Skinner says, “You can decorate an entire room with greens and have contrast, drama, richness and balance. It’s so versatile.”
The beauty that surrounds us
In Cornwall’s countryside we are surrounded by a stunning tapestry of green hues, so it’s easy to draw inspiration into a home decoration scheme. From the fresh acid green of emerging shoots in Spring, the emerald of the deep sea, to the silver tipped shades of Winter evergreens, there is a gamut of glorious greens for you to create a totally different look to suit your mood; light and fresh, rich and opulent, dark and mysterious…
Such is the power of green that the Little Greene Paint Company have been working in collaboration with the National Trust to undertake an extensive paint research project in their houses and gardens throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Little Greene have identified a selection of 31 beautiful greens, each with a noteworthy origin – 20 National Trust shades, plus several important greens from the Little Greene archive.
Little Greene Paint
A contribution from the sale of every can of Little Greene paint will be made in support of the National Trust’s conservation work, to ensure the nation’s historic houses, gardens and open spaces can be enjoyed for generations to come.
In addition, Little Greene will be supporting the National Trust’s conservation and restoration programme by donating paints to bring colour and life back to some of the UK’s most loved properties.
The new Little Greene colour card is out now and if you pop into Hops and Camellias & Co. in Truro or Rock, we can mix up any shade you require on the spot!
Got an Interior Design dilemma? Contact Elaine at info@camelliainterioirs.co.uk, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter an Instagram.
