Interior Obsessions – Emerald

As St. Patrick’s Day sits just around the corner, I began to think a little about emerald green in the home. As Pantone’s color of the year for 2013, emerald is currently a hot commodity, but it’s not the easiest color to use, especially for those not used to making a color statement. The easiest way to start adding emerald to your home is to start small. Try a vase, a pillow, perhaps a bedcover. Or limit your green to a lampshade or single chair. As beautiful as emerald can be, the goal is not to end in the land of Oz.

Although the jewel tone can sit quite nicely against a darker or more muted wood, the strongest combinations include white (which helps keep the green from becoming overwhelming,) with either black or blue accents. My favorite combination is emerald, white and robin’s egg blue. There’s something about the blue that helps tone down the effect of the green and keeps it from feeling too intense. And don’t forget to play with pattern and texture to keep your greens from feeling flat – a malachite accessory or textured pillow can make all the difference.

How have you added green into your home?

(above) Emerald Upholstery

Green and Robin’s Egg Blue + Paired with Aqua

Jeweled Dining

Green and White Bath

Emerald Mosaics + Bright Green Chevron

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.