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Green

The Difference between Fresh Greens and Yellow Greens

By 10/23/2009January 26th, 201717 Comments

Anytime I show a client (who already lived through the 70’s era of avocado green appliances, etc) a yellowy green like BM Pale Avocado or Dill Pickle, 9 times out of 10, they wrinkle their nose at me and say, ‘I hate that colour’ (below).

Ceiling – BM Wales Green
But if we are standing in a room that I think would look fabulous in green, all I have to do is show them a green with a little more blue in it, like Fernwood green or Georgian Green and they sigh and say, I love that!
So if you don’t like Avocado green, don’t rule out a fresh green because you just might like it! Oh, and one more thing; if you compare fernwood green to dill pickle, fernwood green will look ugly beside it because it’s muddier than the yellowy greens.  So make sure you look at it without the comparison.
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Do all Greens go Together?
The Best way to Update Forest Green

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17 Comments

  • Red Door Home says:

    I am definitely a fan of green – almost any variation. I have the bedroom picture on my inspiration board – one of my all time favorites.

  • Renae says:

    I love green! One of my clients said during initial interview that she did not like green. Well, guess what? She likes it now with the paint I have chosen!

    xx

  • Karen at Nittany Inspirations says:

    I can relate to the avocado green adversion. I feel the same way about orange. I know it's trendy now, but I just remember the burnt orange that went with the avocado green back in the 70's.

  • Ideezine says:

    I hear the love-hate comparsion from clients as well. Even with all the wonderful living green reasons and new concepts presentated with green some clients just don't want it. I'll have to try the yellow greens suggestion next time.

    Bette

  • heather @ what's blooming this week says:

    Great advice, Marie – the average person (like me) things of that yellowy green as too much – the softer bluer greens are so much easier on the eye.

    Just did my bathroom in a medium olive green and love the way it contrasts to the Cloud White trim.

  • Ruthie's Renewed Treasures says:

    It's all about coaching the client and leading them to the right tones. You are the best for that!

  • Pam Kersting says:

    A lesson learned! Thank you!

  • Chic Coles (Cole Design) says:

    Thank you so much for the information on the color green, sometimes I find it is hard to work with, but your tip is very helpful. Thanks, have a great weekend!

  • Jane Hall The Voice of Style says:

    Personally yellow greens or spring greens are my favorite colour. I think if you have a problem with a client disliking green you should have them look out the window and see the trees or remind them of how they feel in their gardens where there are surrounded by dozens of shades of green. To me green is the real neutral. You can pair it with brown, pink, yellow, turquoise, lime, red, many shades of blue. I love it

  • Design Junkie says:

    I just have to give a shout out to BM Pale Avacado. After several tests, it won as my kitchen color and I love it. It's a great neutral–not too bright, not too yellow, not too dark. It's the best of 70s avacado without the dreariness. And for the record, it's much prettier on the wall than on the swatch.

  • VictoriaArt says:

    By now you know that green is one of my all time favorites and I am so biased…
    And I agree, it all comes down to how one relates colors to other colors (that's the art – your art) how to present any given color.
    Love your hint on not looking at dirty colors next to clean ones.
    They do indeed look muddy.

    XX
    Victoria

  • ELE says:

    This is so crazy because I read your blog all the time, and even more often when I was moving into my new home and was picking paint colors. I painted my living room in BM Guilford Green with Sherwood Green accents ( I have lots of decorative moldings in this c. 1912 apt. building) It is so fresh and vintage-y at the same time. I just love being in this room even though I felt so panicked when I chose these colors. Thanks for the color inspiration!

  • Design Wanna-be says:

    I love the mix of patterns in this room! Incredible.

  • Lauren says:

    hahah see i actually LOVE the dill and have used a similar green so much in my own homes. it does scare ppl though! (but once they see it in a room they say "oh what color is that i love it!")

    i love how you notice all these little details about ppl that go into choosing colors…

    xoxo

  • house things says:

    Love that Fernwood Green!

  • JHyry says:

    Where do you find a green sofa like your Jonathan Adler example? I have looked everywhere for this color and have been unable to find it.

  • Maria Killam says:

    Which sofa is that? This post is about a bedroom?
    Send me the photo and I'll take a look; [email protected]

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