Reviving Harvest Gold Reproduce the era of “olive green” and “crop gold”?
If you’re a pre-Reagan generation, chances are these colors were a familiar sight during your formative years.
Throughout the 1970s, these distinctive hues adorned everything from station wagons to shag carpets, eventually becoming synonymous with suburban, outdated, and even cringe-worthy design as the new millennium ushered in a wave of minimalism.
However, in recent years, an amazing trend has emerged in interior design: the rebirth of these once-dismissed colors.
Notably championed by renowned tastemakers such as Kelly Wearstler and Muriel Brandolini on their Instagram feeds, shades of olive, amber, and saffron have begun to capture our attention once again.
The resurgence of these colors might catch you off guard, given their historical relation. The ’70s were rife with stereotypical imagery, from Naugahyde loungers to plush conversation pits, often relegated to the realm of comedic ridicule rather than design aspiration.
But before you discharge the idea of incorporating pea-green and mustard tones into your living space, consider how contemporary designers are reimagining this palette in ways that exude sophistication rather than obsolescence.
Think less “That ’70s Show” and more of the artistic atmosphere of Joni Mitchell in the heart of Laurel Canyon.
Whether you view these colors as dated or timeless is largely a matter of perspective, as one designer points out, labeling them as the “ugly-pretty” colors, emphasizing their unique allure.
The calming and comforting elements of these earthy tones might be precisely what our fast-paced world requires.
In contrast to the boldness of “Barbiecore” pink or the coolness of millennial greige, earth tones evoke feelings of tranquility and coziness, providing a much-needed respite from the chaos outside.
As noted by Lauren Wager, a color designer from Columbus, Ohio, and author of the Palette Perfect book series, these hues offer a sense of solace amidst societal turbulence.
Montaha Hidefi, a color archaeologist and VP of color forecasting at Color Marketing Group, also highlights the emotional response aspect, noting that the original rise of these colors in the ’70s was a reaction to the Vietnam War, political upheaval, and the civil rights movement.
Nostalgia is more driving force beyond the revival.
The blend of cherishing our grandparents’ era and seeking refuge from the cold, detached, and technological world of today contributes to this renewed interest.
Peter Dunham, an interior designer, attributes the heightened customer demand for these shades in the past couple of years to this sense of nostalgia.
Ultimately, whether you perceive this color palette as dated or eternally modish hinges on your perspective.
Despite their historical associations, these hues are encountered seasonally in the natural world during autumn, suggesting their inherent beauty and compatibility.
Don’t allow names to stop you.
If “avocado green” doesn’t resonate, consider shades like “Guacamole,” Glidden’s 2022 Color of the Year, or “Basque Green” from Sherwin Williams.
Embracing the Palette: Design Strategies for a Fresh Appear
1. Using Nature as a Neutral
“We call them the ugly-pretty colors,” declares designer Christie Ward.
In 2022, Ward and partner Staver Gray embraced a palette of olive, marigold, and brown while designing Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort in Gardiner, N.Y.
Their inspiration, rooted in the wild beauty of meadows, guided to an interior that pays homage to character rather than simply mimicking retro aesthetics.
By framing a composition of oversized gunnera leaves by botanical artist Stuart Thornton, they introduced a touch of green and an organic focal point.
Complementing this, the walls and furnishings feature a blend of golds and wood tones that invite the outdoors in, resulting in a well-balanced, biophilic ambiance that is both warm and subtle.
2. Mastering present Monochrome
Designer Meghan Eisenberg proves that olive can be each stylish and contemporary.
In the 2022 renovation of her family’s 1950s Mar Vista home, Eisenberg sidestepped clichés by eschewing the typical vintage-green bathroom fixtures.
Instead, she trusted grumpy paint and meticulously cut tiles to create a modern cover that embraced the open.
Her choice of toned-down shades like “Homage,” a lustrous vegetal green by Portola Paints, and evergreen Heath Ceramics tiles for the floor and shower, brings a sense of calm to the space. The effect is a harmonious room enveloped in a single, relaxing hue.
3. Embracing Brown’s Allure
Shades of dusky sand and velvety chocolate offer a more sophisticated route into the ’70s color spectrum.
Brown brings glow and sensuality, acting as a counteract to pure white spaces.
Interior designer Rachel Cannon notes its ability to infuse homeyness into a room. London’s Child Studio, represented by Alexy Kos and Che Huang, cite sepia shades as an invitation to comfort.
In a dining room project inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic wood-paneled Paris salon, they integrated a palette of chestnut and henna.
This created a cozy ambiance, with mahogany bookshelves, a gradient rust-toned wool rug, and a maple pedestal table surrounded by an inviting warmth.
4. Including Eclecticism
Unlike the past, contemporary interiors prosper on a fusion of eras, materials, styles, and textures.
The secret lies in introducing contrast.
Retrouvius Reclamation and Design breathed new life into a West London family kitchen by juxtaposing saffron paint by Emery et Cie with salvaged materials.
Floating shelves and sleek cabinets made from old iroko timbers bridge the antique and the modern, while a raw-cut Italian onyx backsplash adds an earthy yet edgy touch.
5. Diving into Color Immersion
Designer Frances Merrill of Reath Design suggests that embracing these colors fully can lessen their jarring impact.
In a Malibu surf trailer makeover, she relied on woodsy hues—avocado plank floors, marigold-print wallpaper, and plush throw pillows—to craft a vibrant yet harmonious environment.
The infusion of multiple shades exudes playfulness and is grounded by simple Roman shades and a cedar ceiling.
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Revival of ’70s colors challenges preconceived ideas, encouraging a fresh approach to interior design.
With an innovative blend of nostalgia, nature-inspired cues, and a present attractive, these once-dismissed hues are making a bold and stylish revival in the world of interiors.
