Into the forest
Calming, creative and with strong links to nature, dramatic dark green is a versatile colour that can work in many schemes
The majesty of ancient forests has long inspired interior design. Whether the grandeur of an oak tree or enchanting shape of an acanthus leaf, rich, velvety greens offer homes a nurturing connection to nature.
‘Green reassures us on a very primitive level. We know we can find food and water, which means green equals life. Using dark greens in our home, brings in these feelings of reassurance and rest,’ says Karen Haller, colour and design psychology specialist and author of The Little Book of Colour. ‘Surrounding ourselves with too much green or the wrong shade, however, can lead to feelings of stagnation and lethargy.’
There are many varieties of deep green. ‘It can have a warm, yellow undertone or a cool, blue hue,’ explains Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown Paints. ‘As a colour family, deep green is incredibly versatile and can be paired with so many shades and materials that will bring out either its warm or cool tone. Deep green really comes to life with plenty of natural light, so it suits southfacing rooms best. It can, however, work in a dark, narrow space too, when paired with terracotta shades and mid-tone wood to bring in warmth,’ she adds. While the shade is very much on trend today, the love of dark green interiors has its roots in history. ‘Dark green wallpaper has been popular since the 18th century – there’s a green flock paper from c.1741 at Temple Newsam that has pigments of malachite in the design,’ says Rowena Beighton-dykes, hon. editor and chair of the Wallpaper History Society. ‘By the mid-19th century, concern was increasing about arsenic in wallpaper, but dark green still remained popular, despite its arsenic-based pigments. ‘The popularity of greens and browns continued into the 1920s and 30s, and a revival in the popularity of William Morris designs saw a resurgence in the 1960s. By the end of the 20th century, wallpaper was generally lighter, but in recent years more bold colours have emerged, often influenced by period designs.’ For the perfect scheme, be inspired by the colours and textures of the forest.