Color Clash : Emerald and Teal + Shop The Look

Hi folks, it’s Carla here and I’m happy to report that spring has finally sprung here in Minnesota. We are finally seeing buds on the trees and the grass is green. Like, emerald green. And the sky is blue. Teal, almost. Gosh, that is such a coincidence because today we’re here to talk about emerald and teal!

When we first discussed infusing some “color clash” posts into our fashion-trends-turned-home-trends series, I thought it’d be a fun challenge. But when Emily said we should start with teal and emerald as the first combo, I kinda panicked. While the fashionistas bopping around the streets of Manhattan may be able to combine such a clashing mix, who tha eff would use these two hues together in their home? Well, to my surprise and delight, I actually found more than enough examples that mix emerald and teal in the same space. So much so that I started to wonder if I’m the only one who DOESN’T use these colors together.

To ground us in what this trend is all about, here’s a smattering of cute chicks rocking emerald and teal.

I think sans the lower left look, these are actually combos that could be worn outside the streets of fashion week. The key to these looks is layering multiple shades of greens and blues in a way that feels put-together and seamless. Likewise, this next space does a great job layering color upon color in a way that feels rich and saturated.

While I’ve always treated plants as a neutral, you’ll see in these next examples that they can be used as an intentional hit of color too (duh Carla, they’re green).

For the noncommittal folks out there, the perfect way to try out colors and trends is through artwork and pillows. If you don’t like the way these pieces come together in your space, you can easily return them or do like I do and stack them in the basement amongst the 252 other items you’ve purchased and decided against and hope you husband doesn’t notice.

This is a sneak peek of a kitchen you’ll see in full toward the end of the post. But I like this tight crop as it exemplifies that genius tip of mine about using plants as a hit of color.

Let’s slip into something a little more comfortable and head to the bedroom. Bedrooms seem like such an easy place to try new colors. Since the floors and furniture are typically neutral, all you gotta do is paint the walls and switch up your bedding.

I loooove how calming these dark walls are. Four years after moving into our current home, we still don’t have window treatments in our bedroom so this seems like such a perfect dark, snoozey spot to me.

This space gets bonus points for mixing in a SECOND color clash. That red and orange artwork thingy looks like a sunrise/sunset… doesn’t it?

If you’re gonna get all technical on my ass, this space probably doesn’t combine emerald with teal. I’m considering the walls a shade of emerald and the bed frame looks like a super dark teal (but admit it may be black). Regardless, what I love about this is how great the wood floors look mixed with the green walls. And you can never go wrong with crisp white bedding.

Okay pop-tarts, nap time is over, let’s head out to the sitting area.

Spicing things up a bit, here we have some sassy teal chairs mixed with some bold artwork and a hit of zebra print for extra punch. While this style is totally unlike anything I would try in my home, I admire this dame’s (or dude’s) ability to go for it.

I love how the rich colors and masculine artwork here are balanced with more delicate metallic accessories and a flood of natural light.

You know that feeling when you pound a mini-box of Nerds and it’s totally sensory overload with all the sweetness and sourness and crunchiness and colorful tongue-ness? I get a similar sensation looking at this hear space.

In most cases, adding big mirrors to a space will enhance the use of color and visual business, but this smart lassie used dusty-foggy-vintage-type mirrors so-as not to dial up the use of saturated color TOO much.

Let’s end this make-believe tour with a stop in the kitchen.

As promised earlier, here is a wider shot of this super cool boho kitchen by Emily’s friend Justina Blakeney. People always seem to shy away from color in kitchens (including myself). This space does a good job of keeping a super tight palette and countering (no pun intended) the super saturated greens with lots of white and natural wood.

WHERE do you think this kitchen is? I can’t even image the kind of home that would have a magical kitchen like this. The more I stare at it, the more I’m convinced a family of hobbits and wizards and fairies live here.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to get dressed up in a specific color palette and then dine in a restaurant decorated in the same specific color palette, you can REST ASSURED, ladybird, because this place exists.

So what do you think? Are you convinced these clashing colors could work in your home? What about on your bod? I for one am ob-sessed with the silk-chiffon frock below.

1. Mr Godfrey Chair in Venice Peacock | 2. Casablanca Moroccan Wool Rug | 3. Les Touches Pillow | 4. Green Zebra Pop Pillow | 5. Montana Beryl Floppy Wool Hat | 6. Jenni Kanye Short Sleeve Dress | 7. Cactus iPhone Case | 8. Whistles Leather Verity Backpack | 9. Bottega Veneta Leather Satchel | 10. Anna Sui Printed Maxi Dress | 11. Juno Loafers | 12. Cape Clogs Herringbone Green | 13. Velvet Bar Stool | 14. Bloomsbury Green Long Tray | 15. Le Creuset Juniper Round French Oven | 16. Malachite Pine Scented Candle | 17. Monroe Mid-Century Sofa | 18. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

For more fashion-trends-turned-home-trends, check out Powder Blue, Buttercup Yellow, Lavender and Fiesta Red.

*Authored by Carla

**Carla Fahden is a Creative Director at a creative agency in Minneapolis with a focus on fashion art direction. Off the clock she devotes her time to writing her blog, designing wedding stationery and watching her Felicity box set.