The old English word ‘growan’ gives its name to the colour green.
Meaning ‘to grow’, green is the colour of life.Â
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From the darkest depths of the forest floor to the leafy utopia of Paradise, this colour represents vitality and fertility- and with it, hope.
As the first shoots break hard earth after a long winter, green is a promise of the future. The world over - from Veridios to the Green Man - green has forever been the symbol of growth and harvest, of nurture and nature.Â
The Alchemy of Green
For Ancient Egyptians, green was the colour of regeneration and rebirth. They used the mineral malachite to decorate tombs for the dead and idols for the living. Through alchemy, the Greeks and Romans made verdigris by soaking copper plates in wine and the pigment was used to colour mosaics, frescoes and glass.
In the Middle Ages, where chivalry gave rise to courtly orchards and wreath rituals to welcome spring, green cemented its status as the colour of hope, youth and promise and was adopted by the mercantile classes, colouring robes of the gentry and precious illuminated manuscripts.
In the 18th century, after Madame du Pompadour declared her love for the colour by clothing herself and her home of Versailles in green, desire for the shade made its way through the classes. Chemists came up with a synthetic green that delivered vibrancy and longevity, but with it - death. Toxic arsenic gave a vivid green hue to paper, wall hangings and fabric and gained great popularity - but at a greater cost. It wasn’t until the 1960s that green pigment became completely safe, and once again claimed its place as a symbol of the healing power of Mother Nature, and all that she entails.
Find paradise with this verdant hue. Renowned for its soothing, restorative properties, green is the perfect colour to use in bedrooms and bathrooms - places where you want to retreat and unwind. To create your own personal sanctuary, swathe all four (or five) walls with calming green to bring the outside in and reinvigorate the soul. Â
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If full on colour saturation isn’t your thing, you can still invoke the restorative powers of green. Bring the beauty of the natural world inside with an accent wall in APPLE, painted woodwork in JADEITE or a pop of pattern with the ‘Verdigris’ toned FLORA FANTASIA. Accessories are also a great way to introduce the hues of nature into the home. From the pastoral purity of botanical print curtains to sumptuous cushions and decor, with House of Hackney, it’s easy being green.Â
Whether you want to coat all four walls with wonder or need advice on how to introduce the harmonious hues of nature into your space, we are here for you. With a decade of experience, our in-house experts are ready to help you with everything from colour matching to creating your dream interior - no space is too small or project too big. ‌For more information or to book your complimentary Design Consultation, simply follow the link below, and get ready to immerse yourself in the art of nature.
Drapes can be a statement making focal point, or a complimentary final touch, perfectly tying a scheme together. Here's everything you need to know about our bespoke service, and how to measure your windows for perfectly fitted drapes.
By House of Hackney September 09, 2025
