Anne Hathaway combines rich browns and earthy greens to bring sophistication to her living room corner – designers say it has 'transportive' qualities

When picturing an actress's Californian home, you'd be forgiven for envisioning a bright and modern oceanfront structure – but Anne Hathaway does things a little differently.

The actress's SoCal abode, created by architect Myron Hunt, draws inspiration from a traditional Swiss chalet (according to its interior designer Pamela Shamshiri), meaning wooden panels and warm textures are in abundance. However, while the entirety of the home taps into this aesthetic, nowhere captures it quite as well as Anne Hathaway's living room.

When renovating this 1906 property (originally designed as a hunting lodge), Studio Shamshiri aimed to preserve most of its original architecture. This meant that the wood panels were here to stay, and so their natural tones set the base for the room's color scheme. These brown hues make the room feel cocooning, yet it isn't overwhelming, thanks to the addition of Hathaway's green furniture choices.

It's no secret that green has remained at the top of many designer's agendas in recent years. However, there is no better way to introduce the hue than through the most statement furnishing of all: a sofa. David Harris, the design director of the global design house Andrew Martin, agrees.

'The color palette for sofas in 2024 is all about evoking a sense of warmth. We're seeing a resurgence of rich and earthy tones,' he says. Among the most revered of these is 'lush green' – a tone that looks particularly beautiful against wooden browns or rustic bricks. 'These hues not only add a touch of sophistication to a space but also create an inviting atmosphere,' Harris says.

'Clever use of color can emulate distant places and heritage features. If you want to create an intimate and cozy space, emerald green packs a full, but at the same time, understated punch of color,' Martin Waller, the founder of the aforementioned brand, adds.

'It can transport you to the cool tiled floors of Marrakesh or to the traditional drawing room of a late 18th Century Georgian mansion, and it's being used more and more in interiors today.' In Hathaway's case, we are taken to the Swiss Alps, but its transportive qualities can be anything we wish to make it.

In Anne Hathaway's living room corner, Shamshiri complemented the wooden walls and green sofa with an intricately patterned curtain featuring a watercolor design of flowers and birds. She also added a mustard-patterned rug – a fun juxtaposition against the more traditional elements around the room. It's a color combination supported by the likes of Matthew Williamson, a designer known for his bold yet refined projects.

He recommends starting with tonal shades of green (like those seen in Hathaway's sofa) for a great foundation for a luxurious scheme.

'Picture rich emeralds, lush moss greens, and hints of jade intermingling seamlessly. To elevate this palette, I'd introduce complementary hues such as sumptuous golds and pops of mustard,' he says. We can shop the look with our handpicked suggestions below.

For yet more green decorating inspiration, Williamson recommends pairing your hues with mustard accessories and gold metallics for a quietly luxurious finish.

'Imagine accents of shimmering gold metallics or warm mustard yellow creating a harmonious and lavish ambiance. This combination evokes a sense of grandeur and elegance, perfect for creating a truly luxurious space.'