Thank you so much for all your positive feedback on the art-focused newsletter I sent last week. Missed it? You can still read it here.
As promised, this newsletter will be a varied mix of my thoughts and tips on creating your dream home. I've shared some inspiration for blue and green pairings on my Instagram over the past month, and it was so popular with you all that I decided to pull all my thoughts together and dive deeper into this pairing for you.
But first, did you see WGSN’s Colour of the Year 2027 forecast? It was, drumroll, Luminous Blue! Take a look at my post, where I’ve delved into my Pinterest board to show you how you can use this colour in your home. I think you will agree that this bold colour is more versatile than we give it credit. If you are keen, I might deep-dive further into this colour in the next few weeks.
Why Blue and Green? My Sunday Confession
I’ll let you in on a secret: blue and green are my comfort blanket. There’s something about the way these colours blur together- sometimes you can’t even tell where one ends and the other begins.
They remind me of nature’s most breathtaking moments: the edge of the ocean meeting a pine forest, or the sky melting into rolling hills. And that’s not just me being poetic-there’s real science and colour psychology behind why these shades feel so good.
Blue is known for its calming, focusing energy. It’s the colour that slows your heart rate, lowers anxiety, and helps you breathe a little deeper. Green, on the other hand, is the colour of life and growth- think of how you feel after a walk in the park. Together, they create a sense of balance, harmony, and renewal that’s hard to beat.
Blurring the Lines: How to Use Blue and Green at Home
So, how do you bring this magic into your own space? I always say: start with confidence. These colours are so versatile, and you don’t need to be an interior designer to get them right.
Start Small: If you’re nervous, begin with accessories. A green sofa against warm white walls, with blue and teal artwork above, can transform a room without a single paintbrush lifted.
Walls & Woodwork: Don’t be afraid to mix it up. Green walls with blue woodwork (or vice versa) look incredible, especially when you play with lighter and darker shades. Think duck egg blue skirting against a deep teal wall. So chic!
Flow Between Rooms: Let your colours lead you from one space to another. A green living room opening into a blue dining room, or a blue hallway leading to a green bedroom, creates a beautiful, cohesive story throughout your home.
Add a Pop: My favourite trick? A 10% accent colour. A splash of red, a touch of purple, or even a rich brown can break up the scheme and add that extra bit of interest.
The Colour Theory Bit-But Make It Fun
Here’s the nerdy bit (but I promise it’s useful!). Blue and green are analogous colours, meaning they sit next to each other on the colour wheel. That’s why they feel so harmonious together-they’re like siblings, not twins.
You can use this trick with other pairs too (yellow & green, red & purple), but blue and green are my go-to for creating depth and interest without overwhelming a space.
Match Tones & Temperatures: Stick with cool blues and cool greens for a seamless look. If you want a bit more drama, try mixing in darker, moodier shades. Think velvet navy with forest green for a cocooning feel, or pastel blue and sage for something fresh and spring-like.
Layer with Texture: Don’t stop at paint! Layer different fabrics, patterns, and finishes for depth. A velvet green chair, a teal rug, blue patterned cushions. Little touches like these make the scheme sing.
A Method to Follow
If you’re loving this palette (or honestly, any palette at all!) and want a little help bringing it to life in your own home, let me share a simple method I absolutely swear by: the 60:30:10 rule. I dive much deeper into this in my book, so if you’re curious, do have a read-but here’s the gist:
It’s all about leading with one colour (your 60%), then layering in a second colour (your 30%), and finally adding that little pop of a third colour (your 10%). So, as you look at the room you’re decorating, break it down and think about your lead ‘60%’ colour.
Let’s take this colour scheme as an example: your lead colour could be green. Then, you might use blue for your 30%, and finally, a neutral (or perhaps rust, pink, or yellow) for that accent 10%.
Now, to Dissect Some Examples
You might get the 60:30:10 in theory, but I always find it so much easier to understand when you can see it in action. Let’s look at a few photos from Pinterest together and I’ll walk you through exactly how this colour scheme works.
Example 1:
These bedroom photos are absolute prime examples of how to use this colour scheme. Both interiors feature green as the 60% colour. In the first photo, it’s on both the walls and curtains. In the second, it’s just the walls. Blue is the 30%-you’ll spot it in the bedding and also in the cabinet in the second image. And then, the accent 10%: in the first image, it’s rust, and in the second, it’s yellow. It’s just sensational, isn’t it? I hope you agree.
Example 2:
This entrance hall, by Interior Designer Nicola Harding, always pops up on my Pinterest feed! Here, the 60% is clearly blue, with green making up the 30% through the painted furniture. The 10% accent? That amazing pop of pink in the artwork.
What I really love about this photo, and this interior, is that you can see the room beyond, where they’ve completely flipped the scheme. Green becomes the 60% on the walls. It’s mega! Can you see now how one palette can flow across your home, but feel totally different depending on the room?
Example 3:
For this calm and sophisticated dining area, green is actually the 60% colour here. The walls, table, and lamp are all tonal. The walls even have a green undertone, and so does the dining table. Blue woodwork brings in your 30%, and the accent pink comes through on the upholstered furniture.
Example 4:
And finally, here are some perfect examples if you’ve fallen in love with those bright, saturated blues or greens. Go for a neutral as your 60% on the walls, and then go wild with colour on your furniture. This is your chance to be as bold as you want with your sofa, cabinets, lamps, and accessories. It’s so much fun!
Mix, match, and let yourself play. Your home is your canvas, and you deserve to feel confident painting with all the colours you love. And honestly, you can’t go wrong if you follow the 60:30:10 method.
I’m always here, cheering you on from my colourful little corner of the world.
Tash XX