Johnny Galecki breaks the rules in his living room by pairing ‘two colors that should never be seen together’ – this adage has never been further from the truth

If you came of age 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.

Actor and star of the Big Bang Theory, Johnny Galecki' living room, designed by Pierce & Ward, 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, you can get away with pairing mid to dark-tone greens and cobalt or navy blues. This modern living 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 – not to mix these two nature-inspired hues. Botanical tones work with most shades to create rooms that are harmonious and easy to live with. They work beautifully with deep sea blues; it is part of nature. Johnny Galecki's maximalist living room is a testament to that theory.

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