Going for green

The trend for a fresh palette indoors reflects not just our heightened awareness of nature and the environment but also a desire for a softer, warmer atmosphere for our rooms and a move away from cool, chilly neutrals.

As Sarah Cole, director of paint specialists Farrow & Ball, pointed out: "Whether on painted or wallpapered wall, green has been the most popular colour family since colour first started appearing properly in our interiors some 350 years ago.

"Today there are so many choices of green from the more drab' historical greens before Prussian blue was introduced to the paint in the 18th century, through to the later bright greens and also hugely popular blue greens. Green remains a most versatile colour suitable for any room."

If the choices are overwhelming - and a sea of green makes you feel a little queasy - be guided by interior design consultant Morwenna Brett.

She has joined the green gang' - in good company with a host of leading designers - and welcomes the palette's revival.

She said: "Green is refreshing to look at and restful for tired eyes. It combines perfectly with neutrals and natural materials, especially stones."

Morwenna, author of a new book, The Home Decorator's Tile Sourcebook which is an invaluable guide to colour as well as tiles, believes the key to a successful interpretation of green for today's rooms is: "Using fresh, warm tones of spring green rather than the forest, or dark ivy greens.

"Modern greens are those that are softer in paler spring-like shades, or heading towards the citrus or chartreuse shades, which have a crispness about them. These greens look brilliant teamed either with pale, creamy neutrals, or the chic choice paired with dark, earthy colours like coffee, leather brown, and cocoa brown."

Wary of going green all over? Morwenna suggests instead adding accents of green to a monochrome scheme.

"Black and white can look a little stark, but adding some brilliant green accessories, a picture or a rug, will give a scheme instant vitality and verve."

With a twist . . .

8 Nature's green colours and floral-inspired patterns have traditionally featured on classic papers for traditional and period rooms and now they have been given a chic twist for contemporary ranges.

Mockie Harrison, design manager at John Lewis Home said: "Green has become the colour we associate most strongly with a natural approach to living and decorating, and our fresh yet calming palette features Wasabi Green, Pollen Yellow and Duck Egg Blue." Its wallpaper collections take a pretty Eastern theme, with delicate florals in stylised designs.

Laura Ashley's wallpaper and paint collections burst with subtle green shades such as Eau de Nil, Sea Green and Teal. Farrow & Ball features two super shades amongst its extensive range of greens - the new Tunsgate green, a pale, yellowish green which works well with a strong white or as an interesting neutral against darker colours while Churlish Green - rustic yellow-green colour for a retro feel, partners well with dark browns.

GREEN KITCHENS 8 True converts to the green brigade could opt for bathroom or kitchen units in green.

Morwenna Brett said: "Dark jungle greens can appear rich and mysterious, and they look good combined with the sparkle of glass and the sheen of chrome or other metallic finishes.

"Clear fresh white is another partner for dark green, giving it a lift away from the 'institutional' cream and green."

Green also makes a link between a garden and living spaces, she points out, and a simple green accent tile in terracotta flooring could form a link between inside and outside.

Magnet's Urban Citrique kitchen is a sophisticated urban smart blend of green door fronts and walnut frames. It costs from £266 for a 600mm base unit.

Alternatively, conjure a country look with John Lewis of Hungerford's Cool kitchen in green It starts from £15,000.

GREEN KITCHENS 8 True converts to the green brigade could opt for bathroom or kitchen units in green.

Morwenna Brett said: "Dark jungle greens can appear rich and mysterious, and they look good combined with the sparkle of glass and the sheen of chrome or other metallic finishes.

"Clear fresh white is another partner for dark green, giving it a lift away from the 'institutional' cream and green."

Green also makes a link between a garden and living spaces, she points out, and a simple green accent tile in terracotta flooring could form a link between inside and outside.

Magnet's Urban Citrique kitchen is a sophisticated urban smart blend of green door fronts and walnut frames. It costs from £266 for a 600mm base unit.

Alternatively, conjure a country look with John Lewis of Hungerford's Cool kitchen in green. It starts from £15,000.

with delicate florals in stylised designs.

Laura Ashley's wallpaper and paint collections burst with subtle green shades such as Eau de Nil, Sea Green and Teal. Farrow & Ball features two super shades amongst its extensive range of greens - the new Tunsgate green, a pale, yellowish green which works well with a strong white or as an interesting neutral against darker colours while Churlish Green - rustic yellow-green colour for a retro feel, partners well with dark browns.

GREEN ACCESSORIES 8 Experiment with green accessories if you just want to reflect the colour for a season but be warned, green grows on you. Hang a Green Leaf print from Dwell (left), framed in silver, £39.95.

Wake up to green with a witty morning set - two ceramic mugs labelled too hot' and too cold' and an alarm clock with a too late' message, £23 from Posh Prezzies.

Go green with ethical homeware. A Vietnamese Fairtrade co-operative produces green glazed rectangular platters, £12, two green glazed cups and saucers, £12, from Traidcraft.

GORGEOUS GREEN CHOICE: Flying ducks are so retro and they're celebrated on a funky, Quack Quack lampshade. It's for a pendant ceiling fitting and the drum shade sports ducks in shades of green with orange beaks. £30 from online company, HunkyDory Home GORGEOUS GREEN CHOICE: Make a glorious green statement with Loui Loui Hanging Garden Roses paper (left) in a Juicy Lime shade, from House Couturier. The design's eye-catching 3D effect can be printed in fabric and vinyl as well. Priced at around £143 for paper and £94 for the fabric.

If there's one piece of furniture that packs a deceptively mighty punch in your home, it's the humble coffee table Once dismissed as a resting place for mugs - or feet - today these are a visual focal point for living rooms, sitting in the centre with seating grouped around them.

Officially defined as low tables where magazines can be placed and coffee or cocktails are served', nowadays those are just the basic ingredients as imaginative designers have conjured as many styles as there are coffee blends with something to suit every taste and budget.

Their look - low, long, lean, chunky, see-through or solid - as well as the way they're 'dressed' (a liberal coating of takeaway cartons and cans through to usually unopened glossy coffee table books) -will reveal so much about you.

The ideal 'brew' for a successful coffee table is a dash of striking good looks, the ability to be handy and practical, and a sprinkling of unique features.