If you grew up believing that you should never mix blue and green together, you are not alone. The source of the adage of never mixing these two contrasting colors has murky roots. Scratch beneath the surface and its origins are hard to fathom. One of the most likely theories, given that so much idiom in the English language derives from maritime vernacular and superstitions, is that sailors were warned not to paint the hulls of their boats green lest they become invisible when capsized. But it’s tenuous.
These days, many designers and decorators are taking more risks with their chosen room color ideas, and thankfully we've seen more exciting color trends as a result.
Actress Anne Hathaway's living room, designed by Pamela Shamshiri of Studio Shamshiri, throws the rulebook out of the window and manages to get the dubious pairing oh so right.
‘It simply doesn’t occur to me to work with a rule book when it comes to color,’ agrees decorator and textile expert Susan Deliss. 'It’s about what feels right for the room, its light, and its surrounding environment. It’s a question of tone and judgment. In a sunny climate, similar to this Californian chalet, you can get away with pairing mid-tone greens and cobalt blues. This snug room is the perfect example of why you should follow suit when it comes to color combinations for rooms.
Designer Sarah Vanrenen is another fan of blending blue with green. ‘To warm it up, add a splash of pink or orange in the cushions.’ She also chose to use this combination for the walls of her garden room to create a seamless link to the grass beyond the open sides. ‘I always find green an incredibly uplifting and mood-enhancing color; it feeds my soul.' While the blue feels like a soothing sky or deep blue ocean.
It has simply never occurred to me – at least as I've become older and wiser – to not mix these two nature-inspired hues. They work beautifully. Anne Hathaway's snug is a testament to that theory.
Shop the look
This gorgeous green velvet throw pillow cover is just what you need to add a touch of rich earthiness to your living room this season. Changing pillow covers is one of the oldest tricks in the book to make your room look fresh in an instant.
If you want to add interest to a home with a statement focal point, a colorful coffee table is the way to go. This popular design is currently on sale now, and I predict this exact color blue will be huge in 2025.
Calm, cool, and collected, the color blue is a decorating win-win: not only does it make a beautiful base for your home, but it’s scientifically proven to be a subconsciously calming shade, making you relax without even realizing it.
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Anne Hathaway's Hamptons-inspired NY patio has rebooted an anti-color trend I thought I was over – these 3 easy-to-find buys will bag you the look, tooThe black furniture on the actress's New York terrace doesn't look dark – instead, it invites visual interest and intrigue to the pied-a-terre
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Anne Hathaway's 'uber-modern' kitchen shelving is the stuff of minimalist dreams – it is worthy of the finest art galleriesGramercy Design used open shelving to introduce a delightful decorative moment to Anne Hathaway's white kitchen
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Anne Hathaway's 'warm minimalist' living room showcases the most desirable furniture trend that we hope will never go out of styleCurved lines are a crucial consideration in interior design to make a room well-balanced and visually pleasing
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The SoHo loft visited by Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada is on the market for $8.95 million – it epitomizes chic NYC livingThe loft served as the home of fictional designer James Holt, but it has a history beyond its Hollywood credentials
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Anne Hathaway's property portfolio – from a California chalet to an Upper West Side penthouse, these are the actress's most notable homes
The Devil Wears Prada actress has a rich property history spanning both the East and West coasts – including a Brooklyn apartment used as her closet
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Anne Hathaway's 1970s-style patio furniture is the most playful and elegant I've ever seen – it's a masterclass in integrating trending patterns with intention
The plaid furniture on the actress's patio taps into a current trend that looks to eras past – it's an elevated take on decorating an outdoor space
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Anne Hathaway's textured neutral bedding elevates her country-style bedroom – it's a masterclass in choosing fabrics and colors for a restful sleepLinen, wool, and block-printed patterns combine on Hathaway's bed – for an Indian-inspired twist on her historic California cottage home
