Twitter Facebook RSS FEEDS

Forest green: spring 2011's big interiors trend

Friday, 7 January 2011 2:01 PM

We're all constantly being urged to 'go green', but this season the world of interiors is taking the message literally. Think leaves, think trees, hell, think peas if you must - but just know that green is officially the hottest decorating colour of spring/summer 2011.

A striking interpretation of the trend can be seen in Forest Falls, Dulux's new range of green wall colours. The botanically themed shades range from a bold, positive, gel-style green to subtler, more calming shades.

The spectrum showcased in this collection reflects the wider craze currently sweeping the fashion world for marrying natural shades of green with those inspired by a more scientific examination of plants and flowers.

How to use green to decorate a work area
 

Louise Smith, Dulux's global colour designer, says: "With a whole generation of people setting up businesses from their garden sheds, we thought it was time for a makeover.

"Forest Falls 1 [main picture] has an almost super-real feel, which makes it perfect for a workspace in organic surroundings - fitting in, but also contrasting."

While Smith personally enjoys mixing earthy greens with more acidic shades to create the sort of effect you'd find in a 3D movie, she acknowledges that this isn't to everyone's taste. "To ground this palette in the real world, balance it with well-loved materials such as worn leather and faded wood," she advises.

Fashion designer Henry Holland agrees, saying, "Forest green was the predominant colour in my SS11 House of Holland collection. In both the fashion and decorating worlds, this colour works well with all shades of grey and tan leather accessories."

How to use green to decorate a living or dining area
 

Dulux's green dining scheme

Smith describes this colour scheme as "fresh and almost fizzy". It's perfect for a modern family and the colour expert adds, "Painting furniture the same colour as the wall that it backs onto tricks the eye and opens up the space."

Dulux's big colour trend of 2010 was the yellow seen on the contrasting wall, and this mix-and-match approach demonstrates how feature walls can be the perfect vehicle for carrying a trend without totally making-over a room.

If, however, you prefer to reflect colour trends through accessories, we think we've found the perfect quick fix: this set of leaf prints from Next, priced at a very reasonable £50.

Next's x-ray leaf prints
 

Related stories

Dulux Twilight Cinders dining room

Purple: autumn/winter 2011's big interiors trend

One of the biggest names in interior design reveals the colour set to take over our homes this winter, and explains how to use it.

 Kitchen by Schiffini

How to use texture to personalise a room

Mixing up different materials and fabrics can instantly revive a space. Here's our guide to how to get it right.
Woman laying floorboards

DIY course for women: improve your home yourself

Chix and Mortar is running its next girls' DIY course in February - and we've got an exclusive discount code you can use when booking.

 Contemplating a colour scheme

My decorating disasters: A true story

AboutProperty's editor hasn't always been queen of the paintbrush. Here, she reveals her most terrible decorating faux pas.
Rubber duck

Personalised bathrooms increasingly popular

Home improvement is becoming a "little bit more daring", with more bathroom DIY projects featuring bold colour and novelty items.

 Green kitchen decorated with Dulux paints

How to use green in interior design

Eliska Sapera explains how you can bring the colour of nature into your home, both on the walls and in furnishings and accessories.
Juliette's Interiors

Squaring up: using angular shapes in interiors

Spring's interiors are about sharp angles and geometric designs. Get the trend right with our guide on how to use squares in your home.

 Redecorating in pink. Perhaps not for everyone. Image:Thinkstock

Top ten tips: Redecorating in colour

Redecorating your home? Here's ten tips on how to go about choosing your colour scheme, provided by Abacus Estates.
Lounge bedroom room divider

Trend for open-plan living "coming to an end"

Find out what experts believe will be the next major interiors craze for space-seeking Brits...

 Neutral living room painted with Dulux colours

How to use beige in interior design

Expert advice on how you can make beige work in your home, both on the walls and in furnishings and accessories.

Search property

Headlines

Directory

Alaris

Alaris Logo
Alaris specialise in quality Bathrooms and Kitchens along with many other unique products for your home. The range of kitchens, kitchen worktops and bathrooms is extensive and the highest quality so you are sure to find what you want. New bathroom furniture, bathroom suites, taps, showers and cabinets are added regularly.

Bathrooms365

Bathrooms365 Logo
Bathroom365 supply all areas of your new bathroom - leading-edge designed bathroom suites, stylish bathroom taps and showers, all styles and forms of shower enclosures and a vast collection of bathroom furniture.

Fitmykitchen

Fitmykitchen Logo
Fitmykitchen are specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, sink taps, waste bins and furniture. So whatever you want from kitchen sink taps to waste bins look no further than fitmykitchen, UK, the specialist suppliers of kitchen appliances, stainless steel sink taps, waste bins and kitchen furniture.

MyStampDuty

MyStampDuty Logo
We help people buying property all over the UK to minimise Stamp Duty Land Tax on residential and commercial property. If you are looking at purchasing a new home or business premises over £500,000, contact us today by completing the form on the right

Oak Furniture Land

Oak Furniture Land Logo
For hardwood furniture, including Solid Oak, Mango, Mahogany, Sheesham, Acacia, Ash and Birch, look no further than Oak Furniture Land.

Rated People

Rated People Logo
Whatever type of home improvement or garden remodelling project you have, Rated People can help you to identify the right tradesmen for the job in a way that is quick, easy, convenient and, as it is based on real-life recommendations, trustworthy.

Residential Land

Residential Land Logo
If you are looking for short or long term rentals in Central London, Residential Land have a portfolio of over 1200 flats and houses in the best postcodes across the Capital.

Simply Bedrooms

Simply Bedrooms Logo
Simply Bedrooms, a part of Sleepwell Bedrooms Ltd, supplying quality beds, wardrobes, sliding door wardrobes and bedroom furniture at low prices and great service, London and Home Counties Specialists.

Door Handles UK

Door Handles UK Logo
Door Handles UK is the UK's largest online range of Door Handle accessories, Door Hinges, Locks and Latches and so much more and all at genuine internet prices. We have a wide range of Chrome, Brass and Glass Crystal Mortice door knobs in both traditional and contemporary designs, whatever your taste and budget you will find a design to suit.

Woodlands Furniture

Woodlands Furniture Logo
We are an established family business situated in rural Herefordshire specialising in beautiful handcrafted classic reproduction furniture. Our comprehensive ranges are readily available from stock.

WowBBQ

WowBBQ Logo
Welcome to the World of Weber. We are the largest independent online Weber BBQ retailer in the United Kingdom. WOWbbq.co.uk is a Weber Partner Store and can give you the best advice for all your Weber BBQ needs.

Join our directory aboutproperty.co.uk

Twitter

Join the conversation at #aboutproperty

Directory articles

FAQs about commercial stamp duty

If you want to relocate to larger premises, you need to know about commercial stamp duty. Different rates apply than with residential property, however, like residential buyers, you could potentially benefit from stamp duty mitigation.

Save space with a small bathroom suite

Most people dream of having spacious bathrooms with a freestanding tub and a separate shower cubicle where you can relax in pure luxury. However, the reality is that bathrooms are rarely as big as we'd like them to be. Here are some tips on how to make the most of a small bathroom.

The benefits of choosing painted kitchens for your home

If you want to give your home a makeover, consider painted kitchens. While these look great in traditional properties, such as cottages and farmhouses, they also work well with contemporary spaces due to the large selection of styles and colours.