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Posts Tagged ‘green’

Green: The Energizing Interior Design

Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017

FFDM Summer Home: Panel Queen Bed sits beautifully in this ‘green’ bedroom.

Green is one of those hues that strike the eyes in a way that there isn’t a need to adjust. This is a restful color, since it is balanced, it is right in the middle of the color spectrum. Not a lot of people know this yet those who realize this aspect of green appreciate this well-adjusted color.

Back in 2013, a shade of green became the color of the year. Emerald green was quite huge back then, it was successful in succeeding the slot that Tangerine Tango filled the previous year. Because of the vigor that that tinge of orange offered for an entire year, the world wanted to have a sense of serenity the year after. The restoration of harmony and balance was gallantly offered by emerald green.

Healing You with Green

The chief psychological properties that green offers are harmony, balance and peace. This hue can restore and rejuvenate. It can easily give the feeling of a connection with Mother Nature. The right shade of green can also offer a greater sense of luxury and elegance.

The Resonance of Green

Before you decide on using green all over your place, try to ask yourself this important question – does this hue really resonate with you? Using it all because the rest of the interior design industry is going gaga over it at the moment is not the way to go.

Make sure that you pick green because you love this color and you can actually live with it. Begin by surrounding yourself with green at a shade that truly resonates to you.

You can also use classic green combinations such as complementary colors. Red, pink tones, orange and purple are wonderful hues to pair green with. Be sure to veer away from colors that would make green a jarring hue (e.g. yellow and blue).

This does not necessarily mean that you can no longer use blue with green. This all depends on the tone of blue and green that you end up using. Be ready to experiment if you are adamant in using both these colors.

Teaming up green with red also means you are ready to make the green a lot greener and red a lot redder.

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Cayucos Pistachio Green Lamp 29204-1

The Green Habitat

Using color is all about having a purpose. Define the mood as well as the atmosphere that you would want to create. Decide whether green is perfect for your home. Decide on the proportion, combination, and placement for the colors that you pick.

Keep in mind that every tone has its own psychological property that can be altered depending on the hue that you team it up with. Be careful, though, as there are also negative results when clashing colors are paired.

Now you may be wondering which rooms would marry beautifully with green. Just decide which room needs more refinement, luxury or elegance and that’s the room that could use a bit of green. The foyer, the formal dining area, a reading nook – these are all rooms that should feel more secure, safe and serene with the use of green.

Green could also be an interesting accent wall. The easiest way, after all, to infuse color in a home is through paint. The safest, of course, is to just paint one wall. This is a dramatic choice that will clearly show how much you love green.

Bedding could also use green as an accent color. Say no to lime green in this room, though, as they tend to create a lot of energy.

Green furniture will also pop from a neutral background. Have this piece become the mother green as other pieces become the accessories that will complement.

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Spring Green: Embracing Nature’s Color In Your Home

Wednesday, April 5th, 2017

Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Sheridan Two Door Chest

Green is the most renowned color of nature. It is one of the most abundant colors that are related to life, freshness, even freedom.

Green is also a relaxing color to your eyes. It soothes, refreshes, it relaxes, it invigorates both physically and mentally. What’s great is that is offers a multitude of shades

Green is a trendy color year in and year out. The greater news here is that emerald green is a fashionable color this year. Cockatoo green is also huge this 2017 so take your pick.

Green Interiors

Talking about interior design, colors allow you to show your personality. They can also create the most interesting optical illusions. Colors can also influence the way you psychologically respond to furnishings. There is such a thing as color psychology which shows the reasons why certain colors evoke certain feelings. Also, it explains why certain colors work with certain pieces of furniture or in particular rooms.

Using green with the right kinds of shades can give your home a well-contoured look. It can also offer special effects such as being inspired to live in a natural atmosphere.

In the right amounts, green can be used in almost any room. The living room is one of the prominent rooms that makes good use of this luscious color. In such a room, the color green can be used on furniture, as an accent wall, as an area rug, on decorative pillows, lighting, framed paintings, the leaves on vases, and practically everything that you can think of.

Using a green sofa, for instance, means you are ready to make that sofa your focal point.

Using green in larger areas means having to use this beautiful color in the bedroom (which veers from the common blue or black), the bathroom (which is apt because that is a room that’s associated with water and freshening up), even study rooms.

Green in the bedroom has been known to lower people’s heart rate and blood pressure. You can also use green on curtains and the bedding as an alternative solution if having green walls is a little too much for you.

Using green in the dining room is not that common but it is an idea that’s worth exploring. The fresh color is known to increase appetite which is why it is quickly becoming a popular option in kitchen and dining room designs these days. Back in the day, it was always red for appetite, period. Now, it is believed that green has the same effects as red, yellow and orange.

If your budget, at the moment, would not allow you to paint an accent wall or to change the bathroom tiles to green, then you can always use green in the kitchen as accessories. Have green media plates, green bottles, green dishes, and even green spice dispensers.

Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Florian Green Glass Table Lamp 26199

What Green Can Make You Feel

Have you ever stopped to wonder how the color green actually makes you feel?

Green is often associated with nature, forests, trees and freshness but there’s a lot more to this color than flora and fauna.

Green is also known to represent health, good luck and tranquility in Chinese culture. Researchers have also discovered that green can improve one’s reading ability. Students who use green sheets over their reading materials tend to increase their reading speed as well as their comprehension.

Green is also the symbol of fertility. Back in the day, specifically in the 15th century, this color was used on wedding gowns to symbolize productiveness.

Green is also known to relieve stress as it helps hospital patients heal faster. To apply this in your home, you can have a green room where guests can unwind.

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Green Interiors for the Green-hearted

Monday, February 13th, 2017

This lovely Living Room Uttermost Avner Wooden Cube Table 25603 was constructed almost wholly of mango wood (sustainable and plantation-grown). When the need calls for it, you can use the lift-off top as a serving tray.

A lot of people wonder how they can come up with the most stylish yet still eco-friendly home. Most just end up wondering while a few get to unleash their ingenuity and come up with means to be chic while being green.

Going green is not just a fad anymore. This is actually a necessity in our world these days. People need to treat resources and Mother Nature with care and respect.

Going green is not that hard either. You can begin with your family and eventually create a lifestyle out of it. Here are a few environment-saving yet still stylish tips that you can follow –

Conserve Energy

This is the initial step to going green. Energy conservation doesn’t have to be grand. It can be as simple as switching off the lights and appliances when they are no longer being used. Doing so will save you a lot of money over the years.

It also pays to encourage every member of your family to take part in this new endeavor. Ask them to spend time in just one room if they have to bond or are just merely resting. You can also invest in home automation and smart lighting systems so that you are ensured that your electrical appliances will be turned off when no longer in use.

These small contributions will contribute to the decrease of carbon footprint in our environment.

Say Yes to LED and CFL

CFL or compact fluorescent lamps are your best eco-friendly alternative to natural light. Incandescent lights are still in use now but they might become obsolete in the near future as more and more people are becoming concerned with the environment.

Switch to CFL or LED lighting and choose from a wide array of sizes, shapes and tones. Both choices can also add to the aesthetic value of your home.

Have Skylights Installed

If one or more rooms lack natural light, then consider having a skylight installed. This will help stream the light throughout the room and even reduce the use of artificial lighting. As the sun goes down, you will even have an amazing view of the starry sky.

Insist on having a skylight when you are planning to renovate your place.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

You’re not going green if you don’t learn to reduce waste that’s generated by your family. Begin in the kitchen and create a compost pit right in your backyard. This can even be a pot in the balcony where organic waste can be recycled into manure. You can then use it to fertilize plants and shrubs.

These same potted plants can be used to decorate the interiors of your home.

Install Solar Panels

This is a really expensive move but the great news is that they can eventually help you save on energy and energy costs. With regular usage, you should be able to surpass your investment in terms of savings.

Reinvent the Interiors

A huge change that you can also make is to bring a bust of color into your home. Use warm colors such as yellows and red to stimulate activity while cool colors like greens and blues can be used in spaces that need serenity (yes, that’s the bedroom and the bathroom).

A lot of paint cans contain VOCs or volatile organic compounds which could cause a plethora of health problems. Fortunately, there are various brands that are non-toxic and natural. Some are even made from clay or milk protein (casein). Use only the safe kind of paint for your home.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Karma Naturals Burl Rug 6506RS05000800750 is a member of the Karma Naturals collection. This naturally-constructed carpet will fit right in a green home.

Rethink Your Flooring

A lot of designers are now recommending wall-to-wall-carpets to be ripped out. While these make the home look more inviting, they are also the home for toxins and allergens. If you really love the look of carpets, make sure that you spray on a carpet sealer and to vacuum weekly.

Bring in the Green

Lastly, how can you be green without potted plants and flowers in vases? ‘Nough said.

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The Green Site and How It Can Be Yours

Thursday, November 17th, 2016

Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Bamboo Dresser 1050-144

Fine Furniture Design Bedroom Bamboo Dresser 1050-144

More and more people are becoming environmentally-conscious these days. The green design for homes has become a standard of sorts and it is no surprise that it is now gaining popularity. Having a green home means owning a place that is environment friendly and has ergonomic designs. This is a design that appeals to those who want to conserve what’s left of the planet. This is also the chosen ambience for people who want to live a healthy lifestyle.

Sustainability Is Piping Hot

Just like other fields of design, interior design will forever be tied to the ever-changing styles. What’s in or out with regard to interior design is almost always what’s in or out in the world of fashion. Should you design goal be about renovation, redecoration or architectural detailing, every interior designer must know what the hottest or classic trends are.

Know that in the design industry, these days, the fastest-growing section is interior design sustainability. You can now practice rain water collection if you want to your home’s water needs or you can buy furniture made with sustainable materials like bamboo.

Highlight Green

The ASID or American Society of Interior Designers strongly believes that green design must be included in every interior designer’s approach these days. The reduction of environmental impact does not just lengthen Mother Earth’s day but could also make your home a healthier place to live in.

Use Energy-Wise Stuff

One basic way to go green on your interior design is to efficiently use every bit of space that is available in your home. Use harmful construction materials to a bare minimum. Live in micro-houses or apodments. These are solutions that are less than 300 square feet and already come with amenities such as a refrigerator and a microwave.

Every interior designer must also work in maximizing doors and windows so that more light could come in. With ample natural lighting comes energy savings. Use wood flooring, furniture and other home products that come from renewable sources. Have water-saving toilets set up.

If you want to be surer about the source of your materials, then talk to the suppliers.

Say Yes to Waste Reduction

Decorative stuff and furniture can be easily repurposed these days. If you are truly environmentally-conscious, you can refurbish or a better option is to decide on a style that you would want for the rest of your life then invest in furniture pieces that would last as heirloom pieces.

Use fabrics, tiles and carpets that were made from recycled materials.

Plan Lighting Efficiency

Another part of your plan is to be clever about the incorporation of light in your home. Use skylights and windows more effectively. Maximize daylight by using these parts of your home and minimizing artificial lighting.

Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint

You may or may not believe this but the color that you use to paint the interior or exterior parts of your home can spell a huge difference in light and heat absorption. The hottest summer months require cooler and lighter colors such as greens and blues. These hues can reduce room temperature by as much as 6-10 degrees.

Maitland-Smith Accessories Bamboo Cast Brass Bar Cart 3020-042

Maitland-Smith Accessories Bamboo Cast Brass Bar Cart 3020-042

Use New Window Treatments

Do not forget to consider the drapes, curtains and blinds. These can also help in the reduction of energy costs. You might think that window treatments are mere decorative items but they are, in fact, choices that can make a huge difference.

Drapes, for instance, are effective in keeping out drafts in winter seasons while shutters and blinds keep the warmth outdoors.

Landscape Your Way to Green Living

Lastly, you can plant trees right where the sun rises. This will reduce the amount of heat that goes through your windows during the day. Eventually, you will observe how your energy costs are greatly reduced.

You see, green living is tantamount to living a life of substantial savings.

 

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Brave Color Forecast for 2017

Monday, October 3rd, 2016

BLOG 1. Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Living Room Sheridan Two-Door Chest 1586-50005-GRN

The green hue on this Cynthia Rowley for Hooker Furniture Living Room Sheridan Two-Door Chest 1586-50005-GRN is wonderfully prepped for 2017.

There is no doubt that color is an important element of interior design. It is one of the most influential aspects to human emotions. This is also the fastest way to update a room; what you need to do is just to apply a fresh coat of paint and you’re done. But what do different hues convey and what color forecast best fits the brave new year that is 2017?

Top Hues and Their Meanings

Red. This hue is often associated with determination, leadership and ambition. This can also connote physical desires which is why it is most used in many restaurants.

Pink. This hue represents intimacy, compassion and unconditional love.

Purple. This is the color of creativity and royalty.

Blue. This color represents loyalty, honesty as well as trust.

Orange. This bright hue is linked to optimism and motivation.

Green. This lively color represents vigor and energy. It is often used to create balance and stability.

Yellow. This is a hue that represents enthusiasm, fun, knowledge and hope.

Color Fundamentals

Color is affected by two aspects – the surroundings and the kind of light that shines on it. Try observing any room in your home. You’d soon see that the light is different during different times of the day. Comprehending how light can affect a space during different times of the day will give you the power to choose the correct color scheme that can be used all day through.

This same knowledge will also help you choose the best kind of lighting fixture for that room.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Regatta Rug 0087NS Sunshine

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Regatta Rug 0087NS Sunshine

Now, the Forecast

There are many color forecasts that are being done each year but one of the most esteemed are the picks made by Pantone. The upcoming year’s Color of the Year picks are calming, soft and wonderfully romantic. Now don’t worry if those aren’t your exact wish as a color for your home.

Leatrice [Lee] Eseman shared a handful of color palettes that you could choose from. These are all predictably popular colors for the upcoming year that you can use to beautify your home. These colors were also chosen because they address the consumers’ craving for colors that are comfortable yet new. Design trends became inspirations for many of these palettes, so was the film industry (e.g. The Peanuts Movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, etc.).

So go ahead and make use of anything silver and metallic or anything bright and colorful (if Charlie Brown inspires you the most). Say yes to orange chiffon, melon as well as dove gray. Grape and lime are also good colors.

Apart from these, there will also be an abundance of florals this upcoming year. Floral hues such as red Dahlia or pink yarrow, plus any shade of green may be acquired tastes but they are beautiful and not-oft used colors.

Gray and red will remain popular in 2017. They will both appear in warmer hues with the backdrop being that of bolder colors.  Yellows that look perfect in a harvest setting will also get a lot of attention in the coming year. Yellow with hints of earthiness will look great and would be effectively grounded by classic red or blue.

Any youthful color is also a great choice in 2017. Now don’t be limited to the age-appropriate colors, rather, look for youthful colors with an attitude. So no matter what your age, you can use color palettes that are fluid and can easily morph in the 2017 surroundings.

Find celebratory hues that hail technology and nature. The former will continue to play a vital role in people’s lives. Evolving technology will continue to inspire ambience that is dark or in commanding grays.

Those who love deep plum would also find it a great news that the color forecast for 2017 also includes this hue.

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Deliciously Lime Green

Sunday, July 3rd, 2016

Cynthia Rowley 1120CR Kit Club Chair is green, lively and aesthetically awesome.

Cynthia Rowley 1120CR Kit Club Chair is green, lively and aesthetically awesome.

It is a known scientific fact that there are certain colors which evoke a happy feeling.  Summary colors like light blues, sunny yellow, and citrus greens are known to bring a light-hearted vibe which bring to mind tropical living, exotic plants and lime drinks.

Understanding Green

Green is the color of harmony and balance. This color can also mean growth, rebirth, spring, or renewal. This is the color used when depleted energy needs to be revived. It is also the sanctuary to people who feel stressed with their modern living. Logic would tell that this is why there is so much green on earth – it’s as if God wanted his people to feel relaxed and feel positive.

Green is the marriage of blue and yellow so it also exudes the clarity offered by yellow and the calmness of blue.

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Jazzy Shag Rug 5820RS05030708200: Step onto freshness!

Capel Incorporated Floor Coverings Jazzy Shag Rug 5820RS05030708200: Step onto freshness!

Lime Green Elements

By adding lime green elements into your home, it is easier to feel the summer vibe all-year-round. Even when there are constant weather changes, you would soon feel that your home tends to have a lighter, airier feel compared when other hues were used primarily.

Citrus green hues are not always lime green in color. Those that have a tad more yellow can be used in moderate amounts when you want to grab a little attention and vibrancy.

Remember that colors that you see on your computer monitor often do not match what comes out in paint cans. So get some samples as well as test colors to use on your intended space. This is so you would know how they would actually look like when used on the walls.

Creating a focal point is easy when you have lime green on your side. Just use this as a statement wall and you’re done. This particular color will also fuse well with yellows and blues which are its adjacent colors on the color wheel.

Lime green can also be an effective color to use in the kitchen. It can add vitality and life to this space. It is also easy to pull off this bold color on your kitchen wall because this is an area which tends to be well-lit day or night. .

One rule to remember when using a vibrant color in your home is to use less. As the saying goes – less is more. If you’re not a huge fan of feature walls, then add just a few touches of lime green on the trim, on baseboards, or on accent pieces.

It is also wrong to default to lime green being a modern or contemporary color. It can also be used as an accent color in traditional rooms. Lime hues effectively break up warmer wood tones and could make a room more inviting.

A quick way to upgrade any unfinished concrete flooring is to have it painted. Lime green paint can be used to dress up a studio floor. This floor can mirror a beautiful landscaping outside which makes the indoor-outdoor transition easier.

Lime green walls should not be used in bedrooms, though. It’s a wrong hue there because you would want the place to be restful instead of one that invites activity. Bold colors tend to draw attention and quicken the blood so limit their use inside areas where you usually rest.

Lime green adds the right dash of color to an almost white bathroom. Rather than have a stark bathroom, add interest and flair by having lime green accents.

Another fun way to bring life into a space is to put a colorful piece of furniture there. So, would you consider investing in a lime green sofa or chair? Why not?

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Green Is the Color of Spring

Monday, May 2nd, 2016

 

The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Console Table's lively green can make any room leap to life.

The Hooker Furniture Living Room Sanctuary Console Table’s lively green can make any room leap to life.

Many designers like working with the color green because it is a versatile hue. You can go neutral with it, you can go soft, or you can be bold. Green is an in color these days as more and more interior designers are using it as the dominant hue on their theme, some use it to complement another color used.

The hottest green shades are now used with other vibrant colors such as yellow and blue. Green brings in a fresh vibe and you have the power to increase or decrease the dose of this color depending on your mood or the theme that you have chosen.

Green Means Life

Green is quite a lovely hue which is why it is used to symbolize growth, renewal, and life. Depiction of natural environment is easy where there is a color of green somewhere.

Green is also the color of spring, that season when everything is coming to life. It also represents a phase when every little thing shows its natural process of growth.

Seeing green means there is some form of life somewhere, right? It also spells serenity, balance and harmony which is why it is a great color to use when you want to rejuvenate.

In chromatic or color therapy, green is always used to soothe the mind and soul. It can loosen one’s senses from mental or physical exhaustion. This is an excellent remedy for nervousness and anxiety.

If you want to bring this natural state of calm and harmony to your home, then you have to learn how to effectively use this wonderful color in your interior design.

The Living Room Uttermost Gilbertine Clock Table 24349 makes green appear rustic.

The Living Room Uttermost Gilbertine Clock Table 24349 makes green appear rustic.

Lovin’ Green

Spring green is the fusion of green and yellow. Just stick with light to medium shades for a dash of color that does not overwhelm. Be careful in using green as the eyes have a tendency to veer towards this color. You wouldn’t want to use it in a spot or design element that you do not actually want to highlight. For instance, putting a lot of green in a living room with a great picturesque view outside would be pointless. You are, in essence, defeating the purpose of the window where the view is supposed to be sublime.

Green is an amazing backdrop wherein you could add punches of more vibrant greens. Blue, yellow and green are analogous colors which means they are neighbors on the color wheel. This means that these three colors are always in harmony with each other. Combining these three colors is a great way to bring in some color without clashing or going overboard.

Are you a fan of painted ceilings? Pick spring green for your bedroom as this gives the room a cheerful glow especially during the morning. The walls can be kept white so that the ceiling color (painted spring green) would pop. Add small accents of the same color but of a different shade throughout the room. Green could go cooler with blues and grays while it could become warmer if you add wood tones.

If you want to use green on the stairway, hallways and other areas with constant foot traffic, then do so. These areas are often painted with boring white or neutral colors. Let these areas leap to life as you use spring green on the walls and framed photos.

‘Color shy? Don’t be. Green is a clever way to infuse a vibrant color without hurting anyone’s eyes. Your biggest cue is the lushness of your landscaping outside. Greeneries are eternally there to visually please.

There are so many ways to use green in your home. You could install green wall tiles, use green on your throw pillows and other accent pieces, or you could simply paint the walls green. Always think beyond paint, though, when using this color as it has so much to offer in terms of beauty and harmony.

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