Its Not Easy Being Greenery!

The Irish were on to something when they choose green as their color.  Green is everywhere in our natural environment.  It's warm and calming, yet cool and refreshing. Green is associated with balance, growth, calm and harmony.  When in the presence of green your pituitary gland is stimulated. Your muscles are more relaxed, and you have a decrease in allergy symptoms.  Green is also the color of the Heart Chakra, known as Anahata.  This chakra is located at the center of the chest area and is linked to the heart, lungs, circulatory system, cardiac plexus, and the complete chest area.  The Heart Chakra bridges the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds.  Opening the Heart Chakra allows a person to love more, empathize, and feel compassion.  Wow! Green is amazing!  

This year, Pantone named Greenery as the Color of the Year, and the leprechauns are dancing!  Some people will love it, some will hate it.  If you know how to use green, it can be a great color!  But beware, because if you use it improperly, it can look horrible.  So let's take a look at Pantone's Greenery and how you can apply it.

Let's start with why Pantone named Greenery as the 2017 Color of the Year. They observed communities moving towards more natural, organic foods and a heightened consciousness of our environment which is driving our emotions. Its a return to old ways, to unplug, and get back to nature.  Green is what people are gravitating to.  This in turn is what is driving designers to use green in textile production, clothing and accessories.  

Pantone's Greenery is a strong color, and only Mother Nature can pull off a green carpet, ceiling and walls and have it look over-the-top gorgeous!  For this particular color of green, it'd be wise to keep it off our home's walls unless you're working with a designer who knows how to balance the green in the room.  This room on the left is beautifully designed.  Its no accident, and takes much skill to achieve a serene and balanced space like this.  Most homes will look like the photo below, although well intentioned, the colors and design aren't balanced in the room and thus the space falls short of its intention and isn't soothing at all.  

Its very easy to make the mistake on the right.  So I would recommend Homeowners don't paint their walls a strong color like green, unless you are working with a designer to guide you.  

How should you use the Color of the Year? Use it in your accessories.  This can be really 

fun and it allows you to quickly and easily change out your home's look without breaking the bank.  Think of it like your wardrobe.  You wouldn't wear a sunshine green bracelet every day even though its adorably cute!   Here's three different looks where Greenery was used as the accessory.  Each room evokes a different feel, and each room uses green differently.

So be like the Irish and have fun with green!  But stay away from green walls unless you have a lucky leprechaun helping you!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!