Pantone Colour of the Year "Greenery" - Susan Venn Design
If you follow the colour trends closely, you obviously know that the leading authority on colour, Pantone, announced that Greenery (or Pantone 15-0343) was their choice as Colour of the Year 2017. The colour of choice (which has been announced annually since 2000) is said to be reflecting current cultural conditions and is set to influence colour trends across many industries (interiors and fashion mostly) the following year.
If you read my previous blog post on Pantone's Colour of the Year, Greenery, you will understand that it took a while for me to warm to this yellow-green shade. My thought was that this colour is better suited to warmer climates and not so to the UK given our cold light conditions. We definitely don't seem to getting as much sun as the lovely properties below!
Obviously, Pantone doesn't make choices with one country in mind. But as more pictures start surfacing of this colour being used in interiors, right here in the UK, Pantone's Greenery is growing on me. Queue in award winning Susan Venn Design to completely make you see things my way.
To the delight of her clients, Susan used Greenery in the makeover of a double aspect reception room in a Victorian house in London in Spring 2016. This is home to a busy professional couple with three children. No structural work was undertaken as the home had recently been refurbished and many original features such as flooring and panelling were retained.
Based on the brief, two separate zones were created. The first was to have a grown up, "private members club" feel, where family members could curl up and read next to the fireplace or work at the desk. The original panelling was transformed with inky blue paint to create a cosy reading zone.
Above: Farrow & Ball Railings is used on the panelling. Hardwick white is used over the panelling to lighten up the room. Image: Nick Smith Photography
"My inspiration for this colour shade came from the clients", says Susan. "During the brief they said that they loved a vivid, almost mossy green shade". Susan knew she would need to offset this colour with a darker shade to really make it pop. She chose Farrow & Ball's 'Railings' on the original panelling around the room which really delivers the 'members' club' feel according to the brief.
This was a huge change from the previously cream coloured panelling. "My clients felt it was not light enough at first", she admits. To lighten up the room, Hardwick White was used over the panelling and across the second area.
This is the Large Round Marble Coffee Table from Rockett St George (£185). For a similar chair try the Christo from The Sofa and Chair Company. Image: Nick Smith Photography
The chair designs were carefully selected as a fun alternative to traditional smoking room chairs. Metal finishes were bronze and brass to marry with the Victorian architecture. I particularly like the foot stool used here, which accentuates the green armchairs. It's leather so easy to clean whether you use it to stretch your feet or as a side table.
Green flows graciously around this space with flowers - try faux flowers from Abigail Ahern for something long lasting. The budded astilbe (£5.53 for a bunch, 68cm) is an interesting alternative. For a similar brass vase, try Cox & Cox.
Image: Nick Smith Photography
Image: Nick Smith Photography for Susan Venn Design
On the opposite side of the room you find a multi-functional TV area with a bespoke media unit and ample seating. Blinds in a similar colour bring the scheme together and helping the flow between the two areas.
"There was a second fireplace where the media unit sits now. It wasn't pretty. We moulded the original cornice and used it over the media unit for a uniquely bespoke feel", Susan tells me.
She is very pleased with the selection of Greenery as colour of the year.
"It's neither masculine or feminine as a colour. Moss green in sophisticated while a limey shade is funky and modern. It's such a natural colour. Different shades of green work well with the UK weather".
Would she use it again? "I have already!", she's quick to respond.
On the walls: Farrow & Ball Hardwick White. Images: Nick Smith Photography
Above: This is the Richard Nixon throw by Jonathan Adler in black natural, available on Amara.
The Mad Men Griff Rug in Jersey Stone from The Rug Seller, is a good alternative to the rug shown here. It has been designed by the famous Belgian designer Louis De Poortere as part of the Mad Men Collection.
Image: Nick Smith Photography
I ask Susan about other favourite shades of green. She suggests Fired Earth's Tundra (bottom far left), a darker green that goes well with black and white cushions for a sophisticated look; and Gin & Tonic (second from left), also Fired Earth. Going through her colour cards she also recommend's Paint and Paper Library's Wattle 2 (far right) and Wattle 3 (second from right).
And as for her favourite colour?
"Oh, that's a tough one but I guess I really like a dark blue base; and definitely no to pastels!"
Shop the Look
'Iggy' armchair in citrus brushed linen cotton, £780, Sofa.com | Design Project 045 Task Lamp £75, John Lewis | Round Marble Coffee Table - Large, £185, Rockett St George | Ernesto Scented Candle - 270g by Cire Trudon, £62, Amara | Handmade glass vase "Chimney", £28, LSA International | Endon Bloomsbury Glass Table Lamp - Base Only-Green £65.46 Energy Saving Lighting
White Rim Lacquer Tray, £44, West Elm | Richard Nixon throw by Jonathan Adler, £295 and Tom Dixon large Bash vessel, £300 both Amara.
All photos by Nick Smith Photography (and do look him up on Instagram too). See this and more projects on Susan Venn Design.
Susan Venn Design specializes in luxury interior design projects in Surrey, West Sussex, Hampshire and London. Her Studio provides an individual highly personal design service. A KLC School of Design Associate, Susan Venn was recently given ‘one to watch status’ by ROCO Magazine, was the Houzz Best Design 2016 and Houzz 2017 Design and Service winner and holds a RIBA award for design and spacial planning.
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