DESIGN STORY: a green mood
Exploring the nuanced world of green. Because there is beauty in taking cues from nature.
Image Credits: Background Image is from Malabrigo house by Jacques Bedel in Argentina, by Jacques Bedel , L’Appartement La Glaye at La Ponche and the Ribbon Pumps by February Second.
“Or maybe, he says, eyes crinkled against the sun, everything worth doing comes with some risk.” ― Emily Henry, Funny Story. I feel like I’ve been telling anyone who will listen this week how much listening to this book lately has made me happier. But I know it’s not just this book - it’s that I am back in a routine (or as much of a routine as possible given that my usual work day involves a short intense burst of truly work time from the hours of roughly 8:30am -2:15pm, cut shorter on the days that I pick up Alice from school to come home and do virtual tutoring (she’s on her last few months of tutoring and will graduate from the program by Christmas)) but it’s also that listening to an uplifting story somehow makes everything feel a little bit more possible.
On the heels of the end of summer my heart always takes a hit but then I get to remember that September feels new for me too. That I can act on ideas I’ve had to keep dormant for the last few months in my business. That I can sign up for a new course. That I can attempt a second life on a old platform. That new can feel risky but risky can feel exciting… and did I mention I also leave for Maine in two days!?
I had a podcast interview with Ruby Marsh last week and she asked me where I find inspiration and in the moment I told her honestly that it’s mostly from reading fiction. In finding that mental space for the good stuff to just flow into my conscious. But I also feel like I find inspiration in creating for the sake of creating. In flexing my aesthetic muscle. In making these kinds of substacks.
So here we go again.
Why Green? Well because I both love and loathe green. I am drawn to that perfect green of the sea - the slightly translucent kind & while I shudder at the prospect of an entirely green painted room, I love the challenge of incorporating green tones in small doses:
Lizzie Fortunato Louise Belt In Aqua Suede - I’ve decided I love this enough that it must surely count as green.
Do you have a friend where you can just send links to on IG with zero explanation and the sending of links themselves becomes your own kind of language? I have that with Sabrina and when she sent me this drool worthy vintage revival I’m pretty sure I reacted out loud.
I have a saved facebook marketplace search with the term “green marble” for a reason.
I love the lines on this green dress by Apiece Apart. I am also a big fan of an outfit being one piece of clothing. Bonus points - I find my curly hair as the temps lower to be a challenge with clothing. Big bulky collars do not mix well with big curly hair so I feel like this would be a winner for the curls.
I love how perfectly L’Appartement La Glaye at La Ponche is decorated - including this quiet hit of green in the form of velvet upholstery with white piping. The whole hotel is just stunning.
On a recent trip to Prince Edward County I fell in love with a stained glass mirror because it felt new in an old way. This green glass mirror is so pretty with it’s little brass details.
Green ceiling with blue accents - yes please! Sanja Alexandra did an incredible job of decorating her home as featured in Notes of Color - photo by Alona Vibe.
I love this mint green painted room with exposed old frescos featured in a 15th century Italian home. The combination of the mint green with the clay coloured tiles works so well with the modern dining furniture.
When I think of green in a design sense - this is exactly what comes to mind. The beautiful intersection of real green (trees, plans, grass) and stunningly beautiful design details like this home. The full tour is definitely worth a click.
Equal parts whimsical and pretty - I love this wallpaper by Annika Reed and its soft shades of green. Would be fun in a dining room or entryway.
“Limit everything to the essential but, do not remove the poetry.” - wise words (as always) from Sophie Wolf.
Feeling the green? This sweater caught my eye and so did this emerald gel colour.
Happy Monday!
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Thank you for reading. I used to write a lot so this feels good. — Ashley.
Always in the mood for an ocean hue 🌊👒. This was an inspirational feast for the eyes. Delicious! Forever sending you contextless links ✨✨✨.