Color Inspiration–Leaf Green

Hi! Lisa here, and I’m feeling inspired by Pantone’s Color of the Year, Greenery! It’s a vibrant, slightly yellow-based green–the color of newly sprung leaves. When I first saw it named as the Color of the Year, I have to admit I was a bit perplexed. While it’s a lovely color (as most colors are, in isolation), I see it as a bit challenging to incorporate into fashion and decor. I love many shades of green in fashion, but I think the yellow undertone of this particular green makes it a hard color to wear for most people, as opposed to, say, emerald green, or mint green, or hunter green. But I also see it as a challenging color to incorporate into home decor. Jillian and I once refinished an old dresser with a more crowd-pleasing kelly green chalk paint, which looked great–but this more yellowy leaf green is a very bold choice from which people might shy away, for fear of it overpowering a space. But the folks over at Pantone know what they’re talking about when it comes to colors, and I think they’re on to something. Maybe it’s because I’m totally aching for spring, but just looking at this verdant hue makes me think of fresh air breezing though lush grass and leaves, and it makes me feel revitalized.

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While painting an entire room this color is definitely not for the faint of heart, adding accents in this shade of green is way less intimidating, and lends a garden or greenhouse twist to a room. This lush green color would look crisp with navy blue or fresh with powder blue. It would liven up taupe or be a preppy partner to pale pink. And it would definitely pop as an accent color in a black and white space. One foolproof way to embrace this color is by bringing actual greenery into your decor, with big floor plants or smaller potted plants on the windowsill. Or a little terrarium filled with a diminutive green succulent has a curio-like feel when displayed on the corner of a desk or on a bookshelf. But don’t feel limited to a literal employ of “Greenery.” Branch out (no pun intended), and try incorporating this leafy shade into your home with some of the fabulous elements in this Nests’ Nifty Nine!

1. The gourd shape of this lamp is classic, but the vibrant color makes it fresh. A matching pair on nightstands would no doubt ensure waking up full of vitality every morning!

2. This charming mirror with a bamboo-style frame would bring lots of flair and a tropical feel to a powder room or entryway.

3. This art print really packs a greenery punch. I just want to be relaxing under those palm fronds! I especially love the idea of displaying it on a windowless wall to give the impression of bringing the outdoors inside. And this artwork has lots of size and frame options from which to choose, so you can customize it to your space.

4. I love quirky and whimsical touches in a home–they show a sense of humor and personality. No need to be so serious all the time! This adorable owl vase simply makes me smile, and would add an unexpected pop of color in a room.

5. Back when we were looking for pillows for Jillian’s guest bedroom redo, I came across these fabulous banana leaf pillows. Even though the print is a vibrant green, the fact that it’s a leaf pattern makes it almost a neutral. Think about it–do green trees or bushes clash with the house they’re next to, no matter the color? Never! Do the stems and leaves of a bouquet clash with the flowers? Of course not! Leaves go with anything–florals, dots, stripes, geometrics, you name it. These pillows are surprisingly versatile.

6. This wallpaper also played a role in Jillian’s guest bedroom transformation, except in the Bone version. But this color, called Clover, is equally stunning, and brings green to the walls in a more subtle way than solid paint.

7. Just because you throw trash in it doesn’t mean it can’t be a thing of beauty! Elevate your wastebasket from a purely functional object into a stylish decor element with a fun Greek-key-style pattern.

8. This rug is for those looking to incorporate this shade in a more substantial way. I love the thought of it in a room with lots of neutral colors and natural materials that let this statement piece shine as the star of the show.

9. Oh, how I love these side chairs! A set would look stunning around a table, especially in a bright, light-flooded dining space. But if that’s too much green for you, a pair would also be lovely flanking a console, or just one would add some energy to a desk.

Like I said, even this bright-color-loving lady was a bit of a skeptic at first about this shade of green. But now, looking at all these beautiful options, I’m actually rather green with envy of whoever brightens their home with this Color of the Year!