The current trend in paint colours tends to favour rich greens, greys and sandstone colours. Put together well they produce some stunning interiors. But did you know that greens were once a huge problem?
Back in the Victorian era, the most well-to-do properties were often decorated using beautiful wallpapers printed using arsenic-based paints. The most famous arsenic-based pigment was something called Scheeles Green. Here’s a rough colour swatch:
Technically Copper Arsenite, the new pigment of the day provided artists with a way of producing the must-have trend of the day, with some disastrous unforeseen consequences. Firstly for the poor factory workers, but after that for the well-heeled customers themselves as the wallpaper aged and was subject to heat, moisture or abrasion. Side effects ranged from really nasty skin complaints, to nausea and even death.
Also known as Paris Green, the pigment was also commonly used as an insecticide. Killing Potato Bugs with ease should possibly have been a sign that it may not be perfect for home improvements – but alas these were simpler times!
You’ll be pleased to know that at New Look Decorators we have COSHH data sheets for all of the paints and potions we supply so you are quite safe.
The taste for rich greens did go out of fashion for a while, for the obvious reasons, but we’re glad that safe alternatives are available. We think they look great!
Some Green Paint Finishes from the New Look Gallery:
( No arsenic, and still not a potato bug in sight )
Here are some green painted room finishes from the New Look Decorators back catalogue. Green is generally associated with nature, for all the obvious reasons and seen as producing a calming and relaxing space – hence theatres having a ‘green room’ for the actors to relax in during and after a stressful appearance. There is no one ‘green’ for a green room so use your own style and preferences to choose the panted ( or wallpapered ) finish in green to suit you or you home. We have some of our own favourites so call for a green quote on: 01332 498716.
If you’re looking for a relaxing read in your new Green Room – you can also check out our exploits trying to check whether AI was a threat to our livelihood as a wallpapering company any time soon. Can AI write us some quotes on wallpapering? We see.
