Decorating & Design
January 29, 2016
How To Decorate With Emerald Green
Interiors director Meg Crossley discusses this year’s House & Home Color Of The Year.
Choosing the right shade of green is notoriously difficult. I repainted a bedroom three times just to get the right one! I think this is why we see so many different greens being popular at one time. One year it could be mint, olive and Kelly green, all jockeying to be the “It” hue. But for 2016, something unique has happened. There’s been a return to a single classic and pure shade: emerald.
Honestly, I can’t remember seeing a color in so many places at once! It’s popped up at trade shows, in magazines and in countless product lines this year, almost like a declarative statement by the design world at large: this is the green. I think this is why our design editors at H&H have been so responsive to the hue, picking it as one of our top paint colors for our January trends issue.
If this is your first foray into emerald, try using introducing the color in small doses, first by painting a front door, the walls of a den or even a powder room. Adding some saturated green accessories is another quick, low-commitment way to embrace the trend – and for those who want to embrace the color wholeheartedly, a big statement piece is the way to go. Here, I’ve shared some of my favorite emerald pieces in the shops right now.
This chair from Emeco combines a contemporary shape with a deep, historic-feeling green. I think it makes for a really interesting mix.
This vase by Siemon & Salazar is a perfect example of the nuanced, jewel-like quality of true emerald.
I love how Rejuvenation embraces classic and vintage colors, but keeps their pieces current by tweaking the shades so they feel on-trend. Right now, I’m eyeing their Carson table lamp, Classic candlestick and painted-steel house numbers.
I’d toss this suede lumbar pillow on a neutral sofa or chair for a quick hit of color.
Rich emerald dye highlights the age and mottled quality of this vintage rug in the best possible way. This piece would look gorgeous layered over a hardwood floor in a den or living room.
I love this beautiful hand-blown glass tray from Jayson Home that features paint swatches ranging from barely-there mint to regal emerald.
The green of this affordable Ikea side table is a bit brighter than the shade we’ve been seeing lately, but it still falls in the right color family.
For me, velvet upholstery always looks best in dark, rich tones. This deep emerald velvet is no exception, making this a very luxurious looking sofa.