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Color Guide: Ode to Olive
8 Reasons to Add This Sophisticated Green to Your Color Cocktail
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »
Has someone ever suggested a color for your home that made you raise an eyebrow? I love it when I present something new to a client that makes them a bit curious or even a little apprehensive. After all, it's my job to expose you other possibilities. It's the reason why you hired me.
Introducing the color Olive. Sure the thought makes you crave a cocktail, but I'm talking about fabrics, furniture, and fascinating color combinations. Olive alone may sound like a drab hue, but within the right context it can quickly become one of your favorite colors. Why don't we give it a try:
Introducing the color Olive. Sure the thought makes you crave a cocktail, but I'm talking about fabrics, furniture, and fascinating color combinations. Olive alone may sound like a drab hue, but within the right context it can quickly become one of your favorite colors. Why don't we give it a try:
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| Olive and gray: Black marble waterfall counters paired with olive green leather and metal bar stools add high style and functionality to this contemporary kitchen. |
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| Olive and pink: The color palette is perfect for the young girl with discriminating taste. Deep green drapery and coronet keeps the pink wall from feeling saccharine-sweet yet making this little lady feel like the princess of her castle. |
by Niche Interiors
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Olive and fuchsia: This color combination works well when they are secondary accent colors. A potent combination, a little goes a long way in this glamorous high-contrasting bedroom.
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| Olive and orange: Two handsome club chairs in our feature color help to ground the room while making visual space for a pair of splashy orange doors. A toss cushion is added to the sofa for good measure. |
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| Olive and turquoise: Olive plays a supporting role in the midst of a vibrant hue like turquoise. The two work in tandem to enhance the warm wood dining room furniture. |
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| Olive and eggplant: A rich color combo of olive and eggplant evokes feelings of comfort and sensuality while providing a touch of drama — all desirable characteristics for a romantic boudoir. |
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by Amy Lau Design
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| Olive and sage: Variations in the same color almost always agree in a room. It provides the space with a soothing, monochromatic color palette that almost acts as a neutral. |
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| Olive, plum and mustard: Sounds like horrible ingredients for a sandwich, but it's a deliciously enticing color palette. The olive accent wall reminds you of the purpose of the room. The furniture, bold and inviting, remind you that comfort and style are not mutually exclusive.
More: Olive Green: Sophisticated or Drab? More guides to using color in home design |
Comments
Denise Vilim I have to admit, I'm not a fan of olives (on martinis or walls), but you might have just sold me Ms. Erika! I am tasting the olive, plum and mustard livingroom-wich and it's not too bad - and the artwork is the scrumptuous cherry on top!
2 years ago · Like
Danielle I really like olive..in someone else's home, lol! It is a striking colour especially with the eggplant but sorry, it's not for moi. Enjoyed looking tho!
2 years ago · Like
myhouzzisyourhouzz Glad to see your ideabook is 'olive and well' Erika.
2 years ago · Like
dreemer i love it! olive is an "unexpected green" and i like that it is an unusual choice.
2 years ago · Like
Creative Blossoming I have olive in my bedroom now and love it! It's definitely not a color many people are attracted to. I have paired it with chartreuse/yellow-green and accents of red.
2 years ago · Like
myhouzzisyourhouzz There are different tones of olive - with different color overtones. The trick is matching them to the second color well. Houzz had an ideabook that explained it well a long time ago. Also helpful. x
2 years ago · Like
hislala I wonder if we'll look back on it with as much fondness as we do our mother's avocado from the 70's? haha!
2 years ago · Like
candaceolander Olive is a great, and overlooked neutral. I like it with red and cream.
2 years ago · Like
cesa Did not think I was fond of olive but I adore it with just a bit of color like fuchsia and turquoise. Fab!
2 years ago · Like
Vintage Renewal The olive, plum and mustard is my favorite!
2 years ago · Like
Lori May - Lori May Interiors Not a color, I'm immediately drawn to, but you've shown some great options. I may have to revisit olive tones. Love it with the orange and the sage!
2 years ago · Like
Nicoll Campbell Absolutely divine and to die for, I always rave about olive but no one believes me until they see it. Olive Sage and Forest Green with splashs of burnt orange, eggplant and caramel browns are in my homes palette and it just works, as its not to hot and not to cold.
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 18, 2011.
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