Colorways/ The Green Machine

What is it about green? It's so fresh, so alive! Green really does take you head first into the natural world, Nature comes in all colors but green seems to dominate. Wikipedia says: “Animals such as frogs, lizards, and other reptiles and amphibians, fish, insects, and birds, appear green because of a mixture of layers of blue and green coloring on their skin. Many creatures have adapted to their green environments by taking on a green hue themselves as camouflage”

Green sometimes can also be described as someone who is inexperienced, jealous, or sick, depending on where you are from; green can have broad and sometimes contradictory meanings. In some cultures, green symbolizes hope and growth, while in others; it is associated with death, sickness, envy, or even the devil.

We all know that political groups have put their stamp on green as symbol of environmental protection and social justice, and thus consider themselves part of the Green movement, some naming themselves Green parties. And of course the advertising industry and business not far behind any influential movement means many companies are marketing green/ environmentally friendly products.

I love crisp greens, like that in a rainforest, crisp, dewy and succulent, like a sugar snap pea that makes that sound and smell when broken. I also think of green glass, green grass and the green that effects the copper used on our older buildings.

In terms of green influences in my other green world, I think of green leaf motif wallpaper, Here in New York, the Martinique Banana Leaf Wallpaper at Indochine, www.indochinenyc.com is famous since the 1970’s, If interested you can source it on www.designerwallcoverings.com, A recent design classic is the Leaf series by Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper, www.arper.com and at ICFF 2010 in New York a few months ago I spotted the relaunch of Acapulco chair which is made from powder coated steel frames and vinyl cord, handcrafted using a Mayan weaving technique. INNIT, www.innitdesigns.com, a contemporary furniture producer from Mexico are now producing it again, Of course I love it in green. Lastly I always think of those amazing green fabrics at Marrimekko (amongst others), www.finnstyle.com/marrimekko.htm with their large range of designs influenced by the natural world, a clique I know but often our best source of inspiration.