In.Love.Again......Nope, Not What You Think It Is!
I don’t know how it happened, but it did.
Nah…… not with a man or even a woman, but a colour! Of all things…
I was working on the design for a real estate office in the Vancouver area. One of the challenges I had to resolve, was to create a realtors drop-in area in a large center section of the space. This office is located in Richmond BC and has a large Asian (in particular Chinese) population with a good number of young real estate professionals and a young client base.
Jaanika Talts, Estonian-Irish Artist
My inspiration was a painting by Jaanika Talts, an artist from Estonia & Ireland. This artist uses colour in amazing ways. I decided to introduce at least one striking colour into my design concept and at the same time honour Chinese culture by introducing a style and colour scheme that would appeal to the modern Canadian-Asian realtors and their clients. I researched the meaning and uses of colours in Chinese society and developed a colour scheme based on a rainbow ‘look’ with emphasis on the colour green. The colour green represents wealth, fertility, regeneration, hope, harmony and growth. Green is seen as clean and pure.
Green is often teamed up with blue and together they reflect longevity, trust and harmony. I added blue and yellow, the imperial colour to introduce power and freedom. I felt that all these elements could be translated into real estate language for selling and buying homes.
BM #2037-30 Kelly Green BM #2037-20 Jade Green
While pondering where and how I would incorporate these colours in the design plan, I stumbled on a spectacular emerald green velvet chenille. during my product sourcing. It was love at first sight. The fabric has such rich texture with a beautiful sheen. The colour has real depth to it. Yep, I pinned up the sample to show the sheen which is lost in the colour rendition by the supplier, Maxwell Fabrics. The pattern is Chadwick; the colour Frog (of all names...really...)
This fabric was so rich in colour and texture, had so much depth and reflected such an intensity it was irresistible. I was immediately drawn back to my late teens, early adolescence when I had a tailored emerald green winter coat which I loved. I knew right away that I wanted this fabric to be the starting point of the entire design concept and the focal point of the entire office environment.
I have been asking myself why this particular green and not an other one? I never wear green, I never buy anything green. Green is not my favourite colour. Is it because emerald green transports me to trees, to nature, to flowers, to the mountains, to gardens, to jewels? I don’t really know. I just know that I love it.
RE/MAX Crest Realty, Richmond BC (Canada)
Back to the drop-in area: I designed the space like a library with two very large walnut tables of about 3.5 meters long and 1.25 meters deep. The custom made benches were covered with the emerald velvet green chenille. Two large white metal pendants, each 60 cm in diameter, were hung over each table. The inside of the metal shades were custom painted emerald green. The effect was fabulous.
The paint colour for the reception main wall was emerald green: the green really brings out the brushed aluminum company sign. Soft yellow, blue and violet was chosen for the back walls in the individual offices. And, yellow chairs were paired with white / walnut cabinetry in the kitchen.
Since then I have been actively pursuing my love for emerald green. I dug up an old ring with emerald stones. I look for the colour in fabrics, home accessories and fashions. It is not a popular colour at the moment, so items are hard to find. And now I have a real dilemma! I am thinking of purchasing a new sofa. There is a tuxedo style in two colours that I really like. One is emerald green, the other is a navy blue. Click on the links to see them. My most favourite colour is blue. But I also love the emerald green one. Either colour will work in my place. I would love to hear what my readers have to say about it. Let me know your choice in the Comment section below!
I am also really attracted to colour in kitchens. I am noticing that slowly magazines and online publications are showing how colours are applied in kitchens and bathrooms. Take a look at the two kitchen renovations above. The first one shows an easy way to bring colour into the space by painting out the back section of the peninsula. The brass tone of the light fixtures and cabinet pulls goes well with the white and green. A brass faucet would enhance it even further. I like the contrast between the green and white tones. The wood stools complete the space. While this colour combination works well, I can see this concept using a high gloss, toned down emerald green instead. The second one, a country style kitchen, shows an abundance of emerald green cabinetry with brass accents. Rich and beautiful. There is a place and time for everything!
I am aware that most people have a ‘go to’ colour. For many people it is blue, for others it is red or apple green. In interiors we see a lot of greys and whites these days. Blue is also becoming more popular for kitchen cabinetry. What is your favourite colour? Do you dress in a specific colour as your main colour? Are you adventurous in choosing wall colours for your home? Or do you prefer a more quiet look? Do you like a bright colour for your car? (My car is sky blue and I love it!) Check out the car below. Primp or pimp mobile? Some colour, don't you think? I would love to hear what your preferences are!
