Color Close-up: Kelly Green

Kelly green has been a trend in decorating for a while now, and it's one that we really enjoy. It's a little bit preppy, bold but not brassy, and has the potential to look very elegant. We love it against a bright white, paired with a buttery yellow, or used as an accessory...

FIRST ROW
• In a bright, white space, kelly green really stands out.
• A soft version of kelly green accentuates the architectural details in this ">lively loft.
• Kelly green chairs look great in a sunny breakfast nook.
• In a small bathroom, kelly green walls make a big impact.
• A green wall is a pretty backdrop for books.

SECOND ROW
• A bedroom color scheme gets a little jolt of kelly green from an Andy Warhol print.
• Green paint brings a sense of fun to this bright kitchen.
• In a bedroom, a kelly green wall can be very peaceful.
• Against a yellow painting, kelly green is very spring-like.
• It works just as well as an exterior paint color.

Photos: Liezel Strauss, Kristen Lubbe, Anthony Berthaud, Sarah Coffey, Jessica Tata, Gregory Han, Gregory Han, Solaana, Deana & Nadim, Jonathan L

Comments (20)

love it in a kitchen. i used it in the baby's room as an accent wall:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/46175655@N00/3781646461/

posted by bullyproofvest on August 17th 2009 at 7:35pm
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Am I crazy or are most of those photos devoid of Kelly Green.

posted by kevoncubine on August 17th 2009 at 7:37pm
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i don't know if you're crazy or not kevon, but i was thinking the same thing......

btw...kelly green and chocolate brown equals De-Li-Cious

posted by kahlil19107 on August 17th 2009 at 7:42pm
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These are great greens, but most are not kelly!

posted by visualingual on August 17th 2009 at 8:23pm
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The fourth and fifth pictures in the first row- I just painted my office a pretty similar shade. It's taking a little getting used to, but I like it. I wouldn't consider it kelly green, though. It looked more like a sage green on the paint chip and looks almost aqua on the wall.

posted by insanity_pepper on August 17th 2009 at 8:23pm
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the first photo comes a little close to kelly green but the others are a far cry from it. my wife's family is from augusta, ga & kelly green is the city's unofficial color as represented by the green jacket of the masters golf tournament. it can look hideous or great. but i agree that kelly green & brown is great--my wife pairs those colors together & calls it "radical prep."

posted by timmy jr. on August 17th 2009 at 8:24pm
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Agreed. There is definitely some "Nile," "seafoam," "jade" and "lime" in here, along w/the "kelly."

posted by mirandabee on August 17th 2009 at 8:35pm
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I am totally digging that feather lamp in the first shot.

posted by leadingedge on August 17th 2009 at 8:52pm
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I have always had a turbulent relationship with green. These pictures show me that I need to work through it.

posted by sciteach on August 17th 2009 at 9:03pm
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Yes. I don't know why AT writers feel the need to be so specific in color round-ups. Why not just 'green'?

posted by slowdown on August 17th 2009 at 9:24pm
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Or, at the least, if they are going to be specific, have pictures that go along with it...

posted by jamiealyse on August 17th 2009 at 10:01pm
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I don't see much Kelly Green.... I did see some Debbie Green in the 2nd photo, which, of course, I am a huge fan of.

posted by Laughing Tiger on August 17th 2009 at 10:55pm
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where did that feather lamp come from!!!

posted by gardenbeetdotcom on August 18th 2009 at 1:02am
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Yes!!! Where did that pendant come from!!! (The feathers)

ahhh Lush!

posted by lasscreative on August 18th 2009 at 6:13am
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The pendant is nice, but those chairs...they make me swoon all the time.

posted by I.P. Freely on August 18th 2009 at 7:23am
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Hmm... by my count, there are only 3 images that actually feature Kelly green... (1,3 & 7)

posted by mschatelaine on August 18th 2009 at 7:31am
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bullyproofvest, your nursery is my favorite! i like it better than any of the examples here. thanks for the link.

posted by doubledutch on August 18th 2009 at 9:50am
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I've done kelly green with cobalt blue pops of color paired with browns and neutrals in my living room/dining room. My boyfriend really likes how the colors kept our house looking young and fun :)

posted by resalikescolors on August 18th 2009 at 1:55pm
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How sad that only 3 of 10 pix apply to the post...

...but I'm loving the Lime Green Living Room in Pic #9

posted by bepsf on August 18th 2009 at 3:15pm
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Giant feather hanging lamp is perfection!

posted by nick0326 on August 19th 2009 at 2:40am
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