What does green mean to Nikki Hunt? In this special feature, the award-winning interior designer and co-host of design show Come On In explains why she adores the colour and how it can be used in the home.
What does green mean to Nikki Hunt? In this special feature, the award-winning interior designer and co-host of design show Come On In explains why she adores the colour and how it can be used in the home.
As a mix between yellow and blue, green acts as a bridge between stimulating warm colours and calming cool colours. It is the most balanced of all the colours of the spectrum, and what makes it so perfect for Singapore is how it evens out the yellow of our equatorial light to create an ambience that is always fresh, even in our hot and humid environment.
But what I love most about the verdant hue is its versatility. Over the years, I have used this colour to create a multitude of ambiences for a variety of rooms, each with their own brief and style. Styles and themes may vary, but green always brings a new energy to a room, whether you are creating a calm, natural space or a room that resonates with a rich drama.
It’s also surprising how it can be used in large or small doses to great effect. Sometimes, the slightest addition is all you need to elevate a room scheme. I love how a hint of green in the soft furnishings, such as loose throw cushions, can help to bring the indoors and outdoors together visually. It also magnifies the sense of light and space.
Perhaps because green is so deeply associated with nature, it is often described as a refreshing and tranquil colour, symbolising the first shoots of spring and evoking the idea of rejuvenation and new beginnings. Green is the most restful to the eyes – it has been proven to improve reading ability and therefore makes the perfect colour choice for a study.
For those who are looking for a bolder and more intense look, rest assured that this hue can provide a striking contrast as well – and without the harshness that warmer colours may impart.
Combining green with lashes of white and botanical prints is a favourite technique of mine. When done correctly, your interiors will appear fresh and crisp in look and feel.
What I like to do with the colour is to create light and airy spaces that hint at a touch of romance. So if you’re still sitting on the fence about using this colour in your home, go all out because there’s nothing like a bit of green to make you feel youthful and rejuvenated.
