Decorating
How to Work With Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2017
Pantone has timely reasons for nominating next year’s contemplative, nature-inspired colour
It’s called Greenery or, less catchily, PANTONE 15-0343. There are many incarnations of ‘colour of the year’, but the word from Pantone, which is known as a global colour authority for its role as the provider of professional colour standards for the design industries, is perhaps the most annually anticipated one.
Take a seat
A chair in this comforting and invigorating hue is an easy way to incorporate green into a bedroom or living room scheme. Here, the garden-like connotations are boosted by the ferny wallpaper, cushion and plants. Look, too, at the other key accent: charcoal grey. Inky colours make for a luscious foil for brights like this green.
Prefer a plain companion for your hero piece of Greenery? Soften the combination of solid bright and dark by substituting the leafy prints for textured pale wood – the more raw your timber, the closer to nature the look will be. A coffee table fashioned from a large slice of pale tree trunk, knots, wonky edges and all, would add a suitably organic touch, as well as a subtle 1950s twist.
Love darker shades, too? Try these ideas for adding dark green to your interior
A chair in this comforting and invigorating hue is an easy way to incorporate green into a bedroom or living room scheme. Here, the garden-like connotations are boosted by the ferny wallpaper, cushion and plants. Look, too, at the other key accent: charcoal grey. Inky colours make for a luscious foil for brights like this green.
Prefer a plain companion for your hero piece of Greenery? Soften the combination of solid bright and dark by substituting the leafy prints for textured pale wood – the more raw your timber, the closer to nature the look will be. A coffee table fashioned from a large slice of pale tree trunk, knots, wonky edges and all, would add a suitably organic touch, as well as a subtle 1950s twist.
Love darker shades, too? Try these ideas for adding dark green to your interior
Block it out
Try blocks of colour for a bolder approach – one that would work well in a contemporary interior, or a period home if you have the design swagger to pull it off.
Here, the architectural lines are clean and unfussy, almost creating a blank template for your blocks of paint (again, charcoal grey proves to be a strong foil for this green – and the pale teal of the sofa and ochre chairs break things up and add interest.)
If you’re game to try it in an older home, the effect would work well if you merge details such as ceiling mouldings, skirting boards and door frames with the walls, rather than singling them out with white paint, as is the convention. If you’re going to colour-block, there’s no point dabbling in half measures…
Try blocks of colour for a bolder approach – one that would work well in a contemporary interior, or a period home if you have the design swagger to pull it off.
Here, the architectural lines are clean and unfussy, almost creating a blank template for your blocks of paint (again, charcoal grey proves to be a strong foil for this green – and the pale teal of the sofa and ochre chairs break things up and add interest.)
If you’re game to try it in an older home, the effect would work well if you merge details such as ceiling mouldings, skirting boards and door frames with the walls, rather than singling them out with white paint, as is the convention. If you’re going to colour-block, there’s no point dabbling in half measures…
Merge with the garden
Once again, this shade encourages nature to take centre stage.
Which came first in this airy interior – the soft furnishings or the planting design in the garden? If you’re going for a disciplined colour statement indoors, and the outside is visible, it makes sense to tie the two together.
What’s really nice here is that the purples growing up the exterior walls are complementary, yet not a uniform colour, which provides some variety and a softening effect to the palette. Ensure that in your mix of leafy greens you include some that match exactly Pantone’s limey hue, for continuity.
Once again, this shade encourages nature to take centre stage.
Which came first in this airy interior – the soft furnishings or the planting design in the garden? If you’re going for a disciplined colour statement indoors, and the outside is visible, it makes sense to tie the two together.
What’s really nice here is that the purples growing up the exterior walls are complementary, yet not a uniform colour, which provides some variety and a softening effect to the palette. Ensure that in your mix of leafy greens you include some that match exactly Pantone’s limey hue, for continuity.
Rev it up with a shot of pink
This super-calming bedroom has been built on layers of our hero green, along with splashes of soft turquoise and off-white. But for an enlivening colour boost, check out that vase of pink blooms.
Pink and green should never be seen? The first rule of interior design is surely to break a few rules.
Experiment with other flowers, too – since they’re so easy to swap in and out; a bundle of cornflowers, say, would create an entirely different effect, again in an instant.
See 10 ways to use green in your bedroom
This super-calming bedroom has been built on layers of our hero green, along with splashes of soft turquoise and off-white. But for an enlivening colour boost, check out that vase of pink blooms.
Pink and green should never be seen? The first rule of interior design is surely to break a few rules.
Experiment with other flowers, too – since they’re so easy to swap in and out; a bundle of cornflowers, say, would create an entirely different effect, again in an instant.
See 10 ways to use green in your bedroom
Soothe your little one’s sleep
Green’s calming properties make it a good option for a child’s bedroom, providing a space in which to enjoy storybooks and play.
The cute, tent-like bed, on its own or against a stark white backdrop, could look rather clinical, but here the designer has cleverly combined it with an olive-y vintage chair and the wonderful Pooh mural, featuring a good swathe of grass.
Fire engine red might not seem the obvious match for this kind of green but, as you can see, it makes for a warming and energising accent.
If you’re undecided about colour combinations, try the designer’s trick of painting tester pots onto sheets of plain paper and sticking them with masking tape or placing them on furniture around the room to see how different ideas change the mood.
Green’s calming properties make it a good option for a child’s bedroom, providing a space in which to enjoy storybooks and play.
The cute, tent-like bed, on its own or against a stark white backdrop, could look rather clinical, but here the designer has cleverly combined it with an olive-y vintage chair and the wonderful Pooh mural, featuring a good swathe of grass.
Fire engine red might not seem the obvious match for this kind of green but, as you can see, it makes for a warming and energising accent.
If you’re undecided about colour combinations, try the designer’s trick of painting tester pots onto sheets of plain paper and sticking them with masking tape or placing them on furniture around the room to see how different ideas change the mood.
Go all out
If this fresh green really floats your boat, why settle for half measures?
Here, our green forms the foundation of the room, appearing in more of the accessories and paintwork than any of the other greens. But layering on more shades, and sticking almost entirely to a grassy yet varied palette, really adds depth, a sure-fire trick to swerving starkness (but not tipping into fussiness) and creating a welcoming space.
If this fresh green really floats your boat, why settle for half measures?
Here, our green forms the foundation of the room, appearing in more of the accessories and paintwork than any of the other greens. But layering on more shades, and sticking almost entirely to a grassy yet varied palette, really adds depth, a sure-fire trick to swerving starkness (but not tipping into fussiness) and creating a welcoming space.
Be a film star
Squares of coloured glass are a feature in many a period home, but it’s a look you can create even if you don’t have it as an original feature. Here, panes have been covered in semi-transparent film to great effect. The green may only feature on one third of the bay window, but it’s picked up in the vase and its contents, giving it the dominance in this arrangement.
For inspiration on which colours to partner this zesty shade with, check out a selection of Pantone palettes on the organisation’s website.
Squares of coloured glass are a feature in many a period home, but it’s a look you can create even if you don’t have it as an original feature. Here, panes have been covered in semi-transparent film to great effect. The green may only feature on one third of the bay window, but it’s picked up in the vase and its contents, giving it the dominance in this arrangement.
For inspiration on which colours to partner this zesty shade with, check out a selection of Pantone palettes on the organisation’s website.
Bring the outside in
Sometimes you just can’t beat nature itself, can you? This kitchen melts into the background as the eye is drawn to that living wall outside.
If you’re having a kitchen built in a new extension, and there’s scope with the available space, consider a window splashback like this one. Even if you only have a sliver of space outside it, you can still create an enlivening view of this spring-like green by growing a living wall. Again, layer up your greens, but be sure to get in a good dose of this specific shade to keep the view full of energy. (Look out for evergreen varieties, too, so your view looks good all year round.)
If you don’t have a rear extension project on the horizon, but have a verdant view from an existing window, paint your frame (ie your room and window frame) a pale colour, and choose unobtrusive curtains or blinds to let the leaves dominate your décor.
Sometimes you just can’t beat nature itself, can you? This kitchen melts into the background as the eye is drawn to that living wall outside.
If you’re having a kitchen built in a new extension, and there’s scope with the available space, consider a window splashback like this one. Even if you only have a sliver of space outside it, you can still create an enlivening view of this spring-like green by growing a living wall. Again, layer up your greens, but be sure to get in a good dose of this specific shade to keep the view full of energy. (Look out for evergreen varieties, too, so your view looks good all year round.)
If you don’t have a rear extension project on the horizon, but have a verdant view from an existing window, paint your frame (ie your room and window frame) a pale colour, and choose unobtrusive curtains or blinds to let the leaves dominate your décor.
Opt for elegance
This is such a versatile colour: here, the contemporary, citrus tones almost vanish as it’s paired with silvery pale grey, polished dark wood and luxurious upholstery. The result is a timeless and classic-style bedroom.
Also a classic is the rule of three – a design staple in action here. To cement a fresh accent into your own room, simply do it in triplicate, which will give it a visual sense of belonging.
This is such a versatile colour: here, the contemporary, citrus tones almost vanish as it’s paired with silvery pale grey, polished dark wood and luxurious upholstery. The result is a timeless and classic-style bedroom.
Also a classic is the rule of three – a design staple in action here. To cement a fresh accent into your own room, simply do it in triplicate, which will give it a visual sense of belonging.
Look up
Sweeping your wall colour into your ceiling and covering doors, window frames and built-in furniture makes for a cosier space, since ceilings feel more enclosing when not painted white, which conversely gives them more height. Making the colour the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning would also capitalise on its soothing powers.
Tap into this green’s woodland side while you’re at it, as in this room, where it’s mixed with deep brown timber panelling and earthy hues. The camo-pattern bedspread here really completes the look, with its mossy forest floor connotations.
How would you use this shade of green in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Sweeping your wall colour into your ceiling and covering doors, window frames and built-in furniture makes for a cosier space, since ceilings feel more enclosing when not painted white, which conversely gives them more height. Making the colour the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning would also capitalise on its soothing powers.
Tap into this green’s woodland side while you’re at it, as in this room, where it’s mixed with deep brown timber panelling and earthy hues. The camo-pattern bedspread here really completes the look, with its mossy forest floor connotations.
How would you use this shade of green in your home? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Green is also a colour widely used in hospitals for its soothing powers, and the above-mentioned nature connotations are part of its obvious appeal. This incarnation of green – vibrant and springlike – conjures up the idea of a fresh start and new life that comes with spring each year. (You might also notice it’s rather similar to Houzz green!)