Easy green

I THINK I’d rather wear my oldest, most unflattering and shabbiest dress of red or pink than don a designer outfit in the dreaded green. Same goes for my house. There is nothing green to be found in it apart from my Christmas tree for 12 days a year, and two jade plants I’m baby-sitting while a friend is in New Zealand, and to which I’m being increasingly and bafflingly drawn.

Yet this morning as I look out the window to see the gentle branches of an olive tree drifting on a spring breeze, set against a selection of the 40 shades coming to life, there seems to be nothing lovelier than green. The scene arrests the eye and makes the troubles of the world dissipate for a moment while watching this development of new beginnings and possibilities.

In feng shui, green is the colour of abundance and prosperity and is the suggested colour for the south east corner of your house — known as the wealth and prosperity area — Feng shui masters advise its application in these locations to stimulate abundance in every sense of the word.

At the best of times we would all welcome a flush of abundance but especially if a financial hiccup has unexpectedly become a racking cough, and you wonder what it used to be like to enjoy a sound night’s sleep.

Maybe this is why green is also the colour associated with calm, with harmony and with balance. The hue upon which to rest your swollen, reddened eyes when your world is topsy turvy, and others jangle the keys to your peace of mind, but just out of reach.

It’s not a miracle worker, of course, but if for no other reason than it is the colour of hope and of spring, check out green. This is an inspiring time of year and can provide a jolting reminder as we see the light getting stronger, just how stale, how uninspiring and pedestrian our surroundings are, and how they don’t do justice to all of the wonderful things we possess.

When approaching the colour cards, take little steps so you make choices that work best for you in the long term, especially if, like me, green is a previously unconsidered option.

Amongst the 40 shades a few that stand out: Jade speaks of generosity of spirit and enlightenment; dark green is associated with greed and the business world. Gentle, pale greens suggest new beginnings and fresh starts and emerald is said to promote abundance and wealth, while lime says playfulness. Aqua in all its shimmering Mediterranean beauty is said to promote calm and tranquility and offers protection and the healing of our emotions. Grass green may be ignored because of its associations with the onset of the lawn mowing season, and the dreaded increase in grass cutting labour. But stop and consider its associations for a moment: the stimulating of self-confidence and health.

Overall, green is said to rejuvenate and suggests hope and the anticipation of good things to come. Maybe that peace of mind will be restored and a much needed ceasing of those jangling keys. Think I’m falling in love with green.

* Next week — the 50th anniversary of Kilkenny Design Workshops.