Work Emerald Into The Interior For 2013

Mmmn who wouldn’t like a nice emerald?  When Pantone named Emerald Green the 2013 Color of the Year I thought oooh, finally a color of the year which has some staying power.  Emerald has options.  As a recognizable gemstone, the color can be a timeless classic in an interior.Rich and jubilant, a pure and saturated pigment representing the rare Emerald gemstone.  The best specimens*, more rare than a diamond and appreciated for centuries.  Cleopatra had a fondness for the powerful stone as did Maharajahs and other Royals.  It is a dramatic yet comforting color, one need have crown jewels to use it.

Greens are some of the most soothing colors in the rainbow.  Emerald represents life, as green naturally is a sign of growth and renewal.  It can work the same magic in an interior.  True emerald can lean to the yellow or to the blue and still be Emerald green. Above are just a few selections from designer sources (Scalamandre and Osborne & Little) already exhibiting on trend.   Less zippy than lime or grass green, it exudes a mystical quality which can work well in any climate. Designers Thom Filicia and Jamie Drake infused their rooms with emerald greens at the 2012 Kips Bay Showhouse creating jewel box like rooms which garnered oohs and ahhs from many of the other designers.

The wonderful feature of emerald green is it plays well with others.  Green is nature’s neutral since it sits on the fence of warm and cool.

• Use with black and white for crisp drama.
• Pair with magenta for vibrant energy.
• Combine with yellow or turquoise for a tropical attitude.
• Mix with pink for a unabashedly preppy Palm Beach/ Lilly Pulitzer vibe.
• Add bold cobalt for luminous and moody elegance.

I love how Michelle Workman creates maximum impact using shades of green with white to create a comforting environment.  The emerald pulls your eye right into the interior of this historic secretary.The perfect peacock color scheme is just as regal as the bird.   Antony Todd paired the obvious green with blue which keeps an interior from looking too contrived.

Does this get the wheels turning for some interior design improvements to your home for 2013?  At Interior Design Factory, Ltd. we are here to help especially when it comes to color.  Don’t be afraid to click on the contact page if you need some interior design assistance.  I don’t cost as much as an emerald but I promise the same vibrancy. *Jewels: Harry Winston and emerald ring owned by Brooke Astor recently sold through Sothebys.