When Pantone announced Greenery — a pale shade of lime — as the colour of the year for 2017, I was surprised. The colour authority had already chosen a green as colour of the year, albeit the lovely rich Emerald, as recently as 2013.
So what happened in that three-year period to make Pantone decide it was time to roll out this watered-down tennis ball green, a shade more commonly seen in the shape of a frog that answers to the name of Kermit?
While pretty much everyone accepts that colour-of-the-year announcements are marketing exercises for brands, sometimes there is method in the madness. All colour authorities, from Pantone to the big paint brands themselves, invest a huge amount of money into global research, hiring trend forecasters, sociologists, stylists, colour experts, scientists and designers to put their heads together and agree on a singular hue that we the people will vibe to over the coming 12 months. Every now and then, they do an uncannily good job of it.
Last year, Pantone hedged its bets and went for two shades, Rose Quartz and Serenity, a pink and blue, which, in hindsight, was fairly prophetic given the 12 months of “opposite day” syndrome that would follow: a 2016 characterised by gender-based conflict and polarising political combat.
Here’s hoping that foresight wasn’t just a fluke and that 2017 will be a year characterised by the sort of obvious optimism, growth and creativity that Greenery represents — and, let’s face it, we could all learn from Kermit.
Advertisement
No need to stick to his skin colour alone, however — green of any shade is a good colour to embrace in the home, and it pretty much goes with everything, so you can forget your granny’s adage that “blue and green must never be seen” and that more than two shades of it is a clash waiting to happen.
Do choose a green you can live with long-term, though The cynical, neutral chill of grey has dominated long enough — it’s time to let in some of nature’s joy.
Full bloom
Orla Kiely’s Big Spot Flower Stem print looks fun, and suitably retro, on an enamel plant pot. €20, annabeljames.co.uk
Peak performance
Advertisement
The Toblerone-like Sunset clock is a new classic. It can be perched on a table or wall hung, and is a contrasting trio of greens. €162, amara.com
Bird cork
Alessi’s Sommelier parrot corkscrew, in cast aluminium, comes in the exact tone of Pantone’s Greenery, colour of the year. €42, alessi.ie
Slim down
This double-wall vacuum flask in leafy green is super slimline; it will fit in a briefcase or handbag for hot or cold drinks on the go. €20, kikkerlandeu.com
Advertisement
Green giant
Chunky knits make an impact in bold shades. This one, made by Woolish, using Australian merino sheep’s wool, is 1m by 1.5m. €221, en.dawanda.com
Modern leaf
The Graphic Jungle rug is more of a statement than an heirloom, since it’s made of handtufted acrylic. From €300 for a 1.2m by 1.8m rug. modern-rugs.co.uk
Dip dye
Advertisement
A semi-glazed dipped effect makes the Paloma ceramic range of tiny posy vases stand out. They start at €5 for the smallest size, which is 10.5cm tall. dotcomgiftshop.com
Soft centre
Normann Copenhagen’s Brick cushion series comes in a patchwork of contrasting greens. It’s 60cm by 50cm. €75, normanncopenhagen.com
Moss side
It isn’t just green in colour — this clock by the Italian company Progetti is clad in “stabilised moss”. It doesn’t get greener than this. €495, ksl-living.fr
Advertisement
Mint source
Bold green lambskin goes against the natural look, but this handmade rug, by Pols Potten, is effective. It measures 1m by 70cm. €187, amara.com