on Yahoo! I grew up watching the Muppets on TV and always thought “it’s not easy being green.” But with eco-awareness on most of our minds these days, it’s easy to be green…at least it is at home.
It’s getting easier every day to be green as more environmentally friendly décor alternatives pop up in the home-product arena. Stylish, eco-friendly furnishings are being introduced at all consumer levels, allowing us to go green room by room.
Look for case goods (coffee/end tables, headboards and dining furniture) made from reclaimed woods, glass and renewable resources such as bamboo and rattan. Inside a sexy new chair or sofa, expect soy-based foams and interior construction materials to include recycled wire and steel. Finishes are available in formaldehyde-free lacquers and VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) glues.
All this thinking green is literally turning our thoughts green as designers are seeing a lot more green interiors, literally. It makes sense, as thoughts turn to reality and Mother Nature does consider green her favourite neutral. Yes, I did say neutral; good news if you are ‘tauped’ out. With the social consciousness that is attached to the colour green and its longstanding nurturing effect on the human body, this hue is the perfect choice to colour the walls and use in upholstery, bedding and area carpets. When it comes to the right shade, don’t choose just one, but opt for two or three different shades in the home. Think about all the different shades of green that you see in the leaves of a favourite tree or while gazing out on a green pasture. Take your colour clues from nature and go au natural: grass greens, tea green, apple green, pear green, pea green, leaf green – Mother Nature gave us an almost infinite palette from which to choose.
Green is a symbol for eco-awareness and for fresh beginnings. We’re also thinking green as we all begin to associate our health with green – for example, green tea (one of the healthiest drinks on the planet), organic foods, buying from local food producers, etc. There is little doubt that the political climate we live in today has had a positive effect on our home life.
During the last few weeks of summer, we start to hang on for dear life to the great outdoors before it’s back to school and winter boots. By bringing green into our décor we can keep things alive and help to lower our stress levels. Just as a walk around the block, a hike through the woods or picking apples in the orchard is known to bring us peace of mind, surrounding ourselves with shades of green is known to calm our nerves and to reduce anxiety levels, another good reason to bring the outdoors in.
When you are out and about this weekend, swing by your favourite paint supplier and bring home a handful of green paint chips. Then, the next time you take a walk through the orchard or a day trip to the woods, match up some of the paint chips with the apples on a tree, the moss nestled among the rock or the leaves of an old oak tree. Remember: you don’t have to settle for just one shade, but rather plan on bringing home two or three.
It’s getting easier every day to be green as more environmentally friendly décor alternatives pop up in the home-product arena. Stylish, eco-friendly furnishings are being introduced at all consumer levels, allowing us to go green room by room.
Look for case goods (coffee/end tables, headboards and dining furniture) made from reclaimed woods, glass and renewable resources such as bamboo and rattan. Inside a sexy new chair or sofa, expect soy-based foams and interior construction materials to include recycled wire and steel. Finishes are available in formaldehyde-free lacquers and VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) glues.
All this thinking green is literally turning our thoughts green as designers are seeing a lot more green interiors, literally. It makes sense, as thoughts turn to reality and Mother Nature does consider green her favourite neutral. Yes, I did say neutral; good news if you are ‘tauped’ out. With the social consciousness that is attached to the colour green and its longstanding nurturing effect on the human body, this hue is the perfect choice to colour the walls and use in upholstery, bedding and area carpets. When it comes to the right shade, don’t choose just one, but opt for two or three different shades in the home. Think about all the different shades of green that you see in the leaves of a favourite tree or while gazing out on a green pasture. Take your colour clues from nature and go au natural: grass greens, tea green, apple green, pear green, pea green, leaf green – Mother Nature gave us an almost infinite palette from which to choose.
Green is a symbol for eco-awareness and for fresh beginnings. We’re also thinking green as we all begin to associate our health with green – for example, green tea (one of the healthiest drinks on the planet), organic foods, buying from local food producers, etc. There is little doubt that the political climate we live in today has had a positive effect on our home life.
During the last few weeks of summer, we start to hang on for dear life to the great outdoors before it’s back to school and winter boots. By bringing green into our décor we can keep things alive and help to lower our stress levels. Just as a walk around the block, a hike through the woods or picking apples in the orchard is known to bring us peace of mind, surrounding ourselves with shades of green is known to calm our nerves and to reduce anxiety levels, another good reason to bring the outdoors in.
When you are out and about this weekend, swing by your favourite paint supplier and bring home a handful of green paint chips. Then, the next time you take a walk through the orchard or a day trip to the woods, match up some of the paint chips with the apples on a tree, the moss nestled among the rock or the leaves of an old oak tree. Remember: you don’t have to settle for just one shade, but rather plan on bringing home two or three.
0 Comments
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT
You must sign in to leave a commentcharacter(s) remaining