Primordial greens: soothing style

From the Resene decorating blog

Greens of all shades and intensities are arguably more popular than ever when it comes to our interiors.

From bold jewel tones like Resene Left Field to the tang of Resene Karma and ephemeral pastel greens like Resene Snowy Mint, green is everywhere, loved for its associations with tranquillity and, of course, getting back to nature.

This brings us to our love for on-trend primordial greens; the ultimate in getting back to nature. These are the greens of dense, rich vegetation, virgin bush and undisturbed forest; mossy, lush and calming.

Is it any wonder we increasingly want these greens in our homes?

Retreat and relax

As Resene Colour Expert Jackie Nicholl says our fondness for primordial greens is about creating calm in the middle of a storm.

“In uncertain times, our homes are a sanctuary and the colours that surround us can have a massive influence on our wellbeing. That’s why greens are making a huge comeback, along with other back-to-basics trends like the popularity of indoor plants and bespoke handcrafted items like pottery and handknits.”

Nicholls says some of the greens we’re most fond of in this current wave of popularity are moody and complex shades ranging from avocado greens to deep olives and luscious, colour saturated jewel tones, as found in the latest Resene The Range fashion colour collection.

“We are spoiled for choice with colours like lively, verdant Resene Smashed Avocado, gentle and peaceful Resene Wabi Sabi, moody olive Resene Off The Grid and blue-hued Resene Top Notch.

“Any of these colours will add a dramatic touch as an accent or create a cocooning vibe in a whole room but they will look even better used together.”

Into the jungle

Surrounding yourself with the right shade of rich green in a retreat space like a bedroom, sitting area or reading nook can be like plunging into a forest pool – simultaneously comforting and reviving.

One of the simplest ways to do full immersion into primordial greens is to go with an on-trend botanical Resene wallpaper like the dense jungle of Resene Wallpaper Collection 91259. For a less literal interpretation try the modern geometric design of Resene Wallpaper Collection 91280 that still gives you the depth and serenity of the dark greens with a chic finish.

Try your bold wallpaper on one feature wall, paired with paler leafy greens like Resene Koru and creamy neutrals like Resene Half Spanish White. Touches of brass or a metallic paint like Resene Gold work particularly well with deep forest greens, as do bright touches of pink such as Resene Irresistible.

Opting for tonal layers of green is another excellent way to add texture and interest to deep shades. Start with a complex spruce green like Resene Deep Teal, then play with shades that are slightly less saturated and more olive-toned like Resene Permanent Green, the muted grey-green of Resene Rivergum and then fresh herbal notes of Resene Coriander. All these greens will highlight the subtle green undertones of neutral Resene Half Tea used as a background colour.

Unexpected combinations

Deep primordial greens pair well in unexpected combinations for bursts of colour. Try Resene Seaweed with the parchment tones of Resene Triple Merino and ginger brown Resene Desperado or the desert hues of Resene Ayers Rock.

Add freshness to lush Resene Clover with citrus notes of Resene Lightning Yellow or orange Resene Smoke Tree.

Try Resene Aquamarine with sharp green Resene Bilbao and bright yellow Resene Turbo or pair it with soothing pastels like lilac Resene Blue Chalk or pink Resene Cupid.

Pairing deep green with bright, blackened whites like Resene Black White or Resene Alabaster will emphasise the colour saturation of the green and make the whites appear even brighter and more crisp for a modern, almost minimalist finish. Pairing deep greens like Resene Welcome with creamy Resene Meringue creates a warmer, classic finish with softer edges.

As with any strong colour, working with intense, saturated greens to create cohesive, inviting spaces is all about balance. Work with the magic rule of three shades with your main shade covering around 60% of the space, a second colour in 30% and a highlight colour in 10%. No matter what shade you use where, it’s a good general guide to getting colour balance, whether you want a dramatic space showcasing a bold shade, or eye-catching colour features.

Dialling it down

For a more subtle approach to primordial greens look to greyed, smoked shades such as Resene Vantage Point, which works particularly well with icy whites like Resene Aoraki, or Resene Exactly paired with the sandy beige of Resene Tua Tua.

Go gentler still with the leafy green of Resene Wabi Sabi paired with a sea blue like Resene Ocean Waves or slate green Resene Scaramanga with serene blue-green Resene Timekeeper and the pale toffee of Resene Nougat.

There’s a primordial green to suit everyone’s taste in Resene’s colour library, whether you want luxury living or a soothing retreat. As Nicholls says: “Mix and match your greens for furnishing inspiration. An assortment of cushions in all of these shades can be very effective with some pretty plants to complete the picture. You will have created your favourite space to be.”

October 30, 2022

For help choosing colours to suit your projects, visit your local Resene ColorShop, ask a Resene Colour Expert online or book a Resene Colour Consultation.

Book a colour consult | Ask a Colour Expert | Ask a Paint Expert

Resene's decorating blog

Paint your home beautiful! Discover the latest decorating trends, tips and colour news.