Sage green

IT'S A REASSURING SHADE, OFFERING CALM AND TRANQUILLITY. HERE, EXPERTS EXTOL ITS VIRTUES AND EXPLAIN HOW TO WORK IT

‘Sage green is an optimal colour choice at the moment,’

says 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. Plus, it brings the outside in.’

‘It’s vital to make your home feel safe and comfortable, and sage is perfect

– 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 for a soft Scandi feel,’ says Helen Shaw, director at Benjamin Moore UK. ‘Or, for an earthier look, pair it with warmer off-whites or beige tones.’

‘For something bolder, think about adding red,

especially at the browner end of the palette, such as oxblood,’ says Patrick O’donnell, Farrow & Ball’s brand ambassador. ‘These are complementary hues on the colour wheel so will contrast effortlessly.’

‘Sage green almost glows when hit by the sunlight, so my preference would be to use it in a south-facing room,’

says Judy Smith, Crown colour consultant. ‘However, it’s light enough to brighten up a darker space such as a hallway.’

‘In north-facing rooms, look for a shade with yellow undertones to bring warmth.

For other aspects, cool or warm shades will work, changing with the light of the day,’ says Carol Campbell, director at Isle of Skye Paint Company.

To add interest, use different sheen levels in the same shade of sage.

‘For example, if you have picture rails, you could use eggshell on one section and matt on the other,’ says Paula Taylor, colour and trend specialist at Graham & Brown.

Silver accessories can look striking against the muted tones of sage.

‘It also works really well with copper, which brings out its softer, warmer red tones,’ says Fired Earth’s creative director Colin Roby-welford. ‘Alternatively, try sage green with black for a contemporary take on classic monochrome.’

Sage green creates a space that’s full of life while still being relaxing and easy to live with