WHAT EXPERTS THE SAY...
Designers and stylists share their views
■ ‘IT’S IMPORTANT TO MAKE YOUR HOME A PLACE WHERE YOU FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE, AND SAGE GREEN PROMOTES THAT FEELING – IT’S REASSURING YET UPLIFTING AND INVIGORATING,’ says Judy Smith, Crown colour consultant. ‘IT CREATES A SPACE THAT’S FULL OF LIFE WHILE STILL BEING RELAXING AND EASY TO LIVE WITH.’
■ Green is at the centre of the colour wheel, so you can combine it with both warm and cool hues. ‘TO CREATE A CALMING EFFECT, MARRY SAGE GREEN WITH COOL GREY-WHITES TO CREATE A SOFT SCANDI LOOK,’ says Helen Shaw, director at
Benjamin Moore UK. ‘OR, FOR AN EARTHIER, MORE NATURAL APPEARANCE, PAIR IT WITH WARMER
OFF-WHITES OR BEIGE TONES.’
■ ‘SAGE GREEN IS AN OPTIMAL COLOUR CHOICE AT THE MOMENT,’ explains paint expert Annie Sloan. ‘IT HARNESSES THE CALMING ENERGY INHERENT IN GREEN BUT ANCHORS IT WITH AN EARTHINESS AND DEPTH NOT ALWAYS PRESENT IN MORE VIVID GREENS.’
■ ‘I LOVE PAIRING SAGE GREEN WITH DARKER FOREST OR EMERALD GREEN,’ says Judy Smith, Crown colour consultant. ‘THERE’S SOMETHING INCREDIBLY SOPHISTICATED ABOUT AN ALL-GREEN SCHEME. THE SECRET IS TO BALANCE THE DIFFERENT TONES BY INTRODUCING SOME NEUTRAL FEATURES.’
■ ‘IN NORTH-FACING ROOMS, LOOK FOR A SHADE
WITH YELLOW UNDERTONES TO BRING WARMTH AND COMPENSATE FOR THE COOL NORTH LIGHT. FOR OTHER ASPECTS, COOL OR WARM SHADES WILL WORK, CHANGING WITH THE LIGHT OF THE DAY,’ adds Carol Campbell, director at Isle of Skye Paint Company.
■ Sue Kim, senior colour designer at Valspar, recommends a dark and moodier shade of sage to camouflage a small room and to create a perception of depth. ‘CONTRAST IT WITH A CREAM OR WHITE CEILING TO OPEN THE ROOM UP,’ SHE SAYS.
■ ‘WHEN CHOOSING FABRICS AND ACCESSORIES, IMAGINE THE TONES THAT YOU’D FIND ALONGSIDE
SAGE IN NATURE,’ advises Nelly Hall, brand director at M&L Paints. ‘USE NATURAL MATERIALS SUCH AS RATTAN AND WICKER, AND LAYER THESE WITH ORGANIC COTTONS, LINENS OR WOOL.’
“Aside from being a perfect colour for an office, this calming hue would work on any wall, kitchen cupboard or even an upcycled chair ”
NATASHA BRADLEY, INTERIOR AND COLOUR EXPERT, LICK