Decorating Guides
Dip Into Chartreuse for Intoxicating Interiors
Somewhere between green and yellow lies alluring chartreuse, a visually powerful, amazingly versatile color for interior designs
Chartreuse is a bright, eye-catching color that is halfway between green and yellow. I tend to like shades like this, those in between two primary colors, for their versatility. Chartreuse does not disappoint on visual impact, making great pairings with grays, purples, oranges and blues.
Then there is the name itself, a French word that just sounds fancy and elegant. As it turns out, the name "chartreuse" has quite a history. It comes from a liqueur made by Carthusian monks in the French Alps. As you probably already guessed, the color of the liqueur is a beautiful, clear yellow-green. The monks have been producing the herbal liqueur for 400 years; it's named for their Grande Chartreuse monastery. Three monks from the order each know just a third of the recipe, and each monk has taken a vow to never reveal his third of the ingredients.
Of course Houzz designers, as well as the monks, are hip to the visual power of chartreuse. Take a look at these intoxicating spaces that will leave you tipsy for chartreuse.
Then there is the name itself, a French word that just sounds fancy and elegant. As it turns out, the name "chartreuse" has quite a history. It comes from a liqueur made by Carthusian monks in the French Alps. As you probably already guessed, the color of the liqueur is a beautiful, clear yellow-green. The monks have been producing the herbal liqueur for 400 years; it's named for their Grande Chartreuse monastery. Three monks from the order each know just a third of the recipe, and each monk has taken a vow to never reveal his third of the ingredients.
Of course Houzz designers, as well as the monks, are hip to the visual power of chartreuse. Take a look at these intoxicating spaces that will leave you tipsy for chartreuse.
Chartreuse is great for an accent wall. Here this accent wall is paired with overscale art and modern, gray club chairs. Note how great the purple in the art looks with chartreuse.
Have fun with it! Chartreuse stained hardwood floors — why not? I always admire brave selections like this. Notice the contrast it creates to everything it touches. It feels like sunshine coming from underfoot.
See more of this modern cottage in Dallas
See more of this modern cottage in Dallas
This bright and cheery kitchen would get me energized and ready to go every morning. With a bold color like this golden chartreuse on cabinets, there is no need to go big on details. Note the simple Shaker style doors and the sleek, modern hardware that create a perfect balance with this striking color.
A chartreuse accent wall transforms this modern and neutral space, adding a color from nature to the gorgeous stain-grade ceiling and cabinets.
Chartreuse is the perfect color for a whimsical palette and shows its versatility in this playful nursery. Add color to a room by painting a square of bright color on a wall.
Here is an example of a sophisticated chartreuse and gray pairing. This exterior color palette feels modern and clean. Note how the chartreuse repeats in the trim of the window screens.
This modern kitchen space uses chartreuse as an accent color, this time with furniture. The interesting thing about this space is the blend of finishes: hickory-tone floors, high-gloss white, charcoal gray cabinets and frosted glass details.
These classic Panton chairs are available in many colors, but my favorite is chartreuse. I like this space but don't think it would be as interesting without these chairs. This is a perfect example of the visual impact of this color, bold in a minimal way.
This quaint breakfast area has great texture and contrast provided by the wall covering and the molded, white plastic Eames chair. The high-gloss, chartreuse lacquer on the low sideboard adds the primary color splash among the neutrals. Notice how great the orange from the art looks mixed in with chartreuse and brown.
A chartreuse chandelier to illuminate your meals sounds good and looks even better. This is one grand statement and the only thing needed to create a memorable room. If you are considering one grand statement for your home, lighting is the answer.