Colour trending: Is dark green the new normal?

We’ve seen a couple of international trend blogs declaring that ‘hunter green’ is the new colour of the moment.

Hunter green is a rich everglade green most of us associate with the heavy interiors of the 1980s where old villas, especially, were decked out in Laura Ashley wallpaper, timber paneling, chintz or tartan sofas, and burgundy and green walls. It was about harking back to Mother England, a kind of mash-up of faux hunting lodge and country manor chic.

Hunter green has been relegated to the background because of its dated connotations but with the rise in moodier, darker spaces in our homes, perhaps deep green will once more find a place in our hearts alongside the already feted inky blues and charcoals.

If you can’t quite bring yourself to go with a true hunter green (in Resene-speak that would be colours like Resene Kaitoke Green or Resene Goblin), then add a dash of black and choose kinder, duskier shades of green. Our strong natural light in this part of the world lends itself to these muddier hues, like the Resene Easy Rider seen on the brick wall of this gorgeous plantation-style setting. It’s described as a softened olive leaf green, pastoral and a little wild at heart.

Here, the colour is teamed up with the paler Resene Inside Back, a greyed green that we’ve seen quite a bit of lately. It’s a colour that has a similar appeal to Resene Duck Egg Blue – evocatively moody colours that never grow old.

This is still quite a European look, but with the colonial overtones, it has a casually cool elegance that suits our lifestyle beautifully and transcends the seasons to be as appropriate in winter as it is in summer.

Add a botanical print, a jute rug, wicker chair with linen cushions and a potted palm – it’s simple and fresh without being stark.

The classic tri-leg side table is painted in Resene Wireless, the urn on top is in Resene Triple Rakaia, and the shutter and the plant pot are in Resene Triple Merino.

All you need now is a gin sling, and the ability to relax!

Why it works:

·       There’s loads of texture – the wicker, the jute and the brick wall.
·       The colour palette is very simple – just greyed greens, warm browns and ivory whites. No bright accents allowed here although if you wanted to pep it up a bit, throw in an acid yellow or a burnt orange.
·       There’s a lot of subtle layering – the two walls, the two rugs, the shutter against the wall.
·       A timber floor anchors the scheme, finished in Resene Colorwood Rock Salt for a weathered, blonded look.
·       House plants. They’re already climbing the popularity stakes and here they add that shady jungle vibe. 

Published: 25 Jan 2016

Do you have a home full of wonderful Resene paint and colour? Send us some snaps by emailing [email protected].

Altan chair, Tulle jute rug, and Malo plate with capiz insert from Citta Design. Green Nkuku jute rug, oak peg rail, Turkish towel, cushion, candle, Erstwhile pineapple and agave print all from Father Rabbit. House coat from Mavis and Osborn.