Use a blend of hues from sage and olive to mint and aquamarine
Use this colour to bring a little of the outside indoors. Its association with nature means there are an abundance of shades that will work to great effect in any room in a country home. Sage, olive and other grey-green tones are the ideal companions to areas in period homes with stone floors and exposed wood beams, whereas the deep, rich qualities of forest green and moss green can be used to add a modern rustic feel to a contemporary barn conversion or new-build. For the best result, mix two or three green shades together to add layers of interest and emulate the diversity and vibrancy of nature.
NATURE’S COLOUR PALETTE
Green is one of the best colours for mixing various shades together. Think of the natural world and the range of different shades and contrasting colours existing in unison together. Green tones even exist in organic fibres such as woven wicker, seagrass and wood, so introduce a variety of shades, flora and fauna patterns and textures for a room scheme that is full of life.
Create a cohesive style with a coordinated backdrop
USE ACCESSORIES
One of the most effective starting points when choosing a colour scheme is often inspired by a favourite painting or set of china. Pick out one or two shades of colour and use for the walls and a painted armoire or chest of drawers to sit alongside the item. A vintage dresser is the perfect place to display a dinner service that inspired its shade of green.
INDUSTRIAL GREEN
A colour associated with factories and workplaces of the past, many reclaimed ex-factory, schoolhouse and utilitarian pieces of furniture are in these shades. It is ideal for adding a modern-vintage feel to a country home. Scour reclamation yards and specialist online retailers for pendant lighting, old metal school chairs, enamelware, wire storage, metal mounted hook rails and other fixtures and fittings.
BRING NEW LIFE
An easy way to update a simply styled country kitchen is with a fresh coat of paint on woodwork, including cupboard fronts and doors. Use a green shade that naturally works well with other commonplace colours and materials, such as slate, oak and stainless steel. For a smooth finish, remove the doors and apply the paint with a spray gun.
A SENSE OF THE SEA
Use a shade such as sage green in a period bathroom where the warm yellow brown tones will naturally complement those of the antique wood of period-style furniture and accessories. To introduce a sense of playfulness, source wallpapers in shades that depict tones and wildlife from watery habitats. River fish wallpaper from Voyage (voyagedecoration.com).
COMBINE SHADES
Green has always been a favourite shade for the country decorator – the Georgians and Victorians loved it – and a period room with classic-style furniture will suit a sophisticated mid-tone such as pistachio. For relaxed modern elegance, add a splash of zesty lime in a curtain, blind, rug or as a fabric on an upholstered or loose-covered chair.
LAYER THE EFFECT
Decorating with green doesn’t mean eliminating all other colours from the room scheme. It can be used strategically to add a statement of bold colour with a wallpaper or fabric that has a mix of colours. Here, painted shelving on a kitchen wall looks perfect in the same apple green that is present in the mixed-colour country woodland wallpaper by Sanderson (stylelibrary. com) behind. Similarly, scatter cushions on a sofa or a row of painted hooks in a bathroom would have the same effect.
Add extra colour to give a bolder look
ALL-GREEN INTERIOR
Use colour strategically to visually connect elements, from the walls, woodwork, floors and furniture. In a onecolour scheme, contrast can be introduced easily by using a variety of shades from warm-toned greens to brighter fern tones alongside rich greys and neutrals. Offset this further using a patchwork of fabrics on an armchair or a palette of different shades of paint on a chest of drawers.
CREATE INTEREST
Green is a wonderfully welcoming shade and can be used in a country hallway to great effect. Use with a soft eau de nil to ensure the space remains bright and light. If the area has a high ceiling, create a lateral visual focal point that directs the eye to the middle of the wall and below with a simple tab-top curtain-style fabric panel as a backdrop to hallway storage. Cobweb linen by Marthe Armitage from Lewis & Wood (lewisandwood.co.uk).