If anyone can convince us to rethink a common color pairing faux pas, it's activist and fashion designer Aurora James, whose designs are worn by everyone from Beyoncé to Zendaya. Her Laurel Canyon living room is filled with textural and globally-influenced details from art and furniture to wallpaper and prints, which have encouraged us to see brown and green in her very personal and visionary way.
It's no secret that green is believed to be one of the colors to avoid pairing with brown, but when the right tones are chosen, and the colors are layered with texture, pattern, and eclectic details, it can form the canvas for a beautifully rich and layered space.
Jennifer Davis, Owner and Principal Designer at Davis Interiors in Minnesota, explains: 'Green and brown can feel incredibly chic in a living room when you focus on layering texture, tone, and pattern. I love incorporating materials like linen upholstery, woven grasscloth, nubby wool rugs, and warm wood finishes to give the palette depth and keep it from feeling flat.'
I've selected some green and brown buys that would look right at home in Aurora James' living room, from a similarly sculptural S-shaped accent chair (Wayfair) to a grounding textural brown rug (Pottery Barn). But before you shop the look, read on for more interior design advice on how to make this pairing sing.
Shop Brown and Green Decor Inspired by Aurora James' Living Room
A botanical print in one of the key hues from a green and brown palette can add interest and connect the scheme to nature. This wallpaper is the exact one in from Aurora James' home.
A textural wool rug brings an organic feel to a space whilst the brown shade works with natural wood furniture for a grounding effect in a green and brown living room like Aurora James'.
Whilst Aurora James accent chairs are velvet, this boucle version has a similar s-shape silhouette and deep green hue. It contrasts with the fresh lime green walls yet feels intentionally tonal.
Texture is a wonderful way to make a green and brown palette feel layered and luxe, and a sheepskin throw pillow like the one in Aurora James' living room is an easy way to bring in another element.
Natural leafy plants can help make that connection between indoors and out in a green and brown color scheme, but faux plants can just as easily achieve the effect without the fuss.
Some statement artwork picking out the hues in your green and brown palette will help to make your scheme feel more intentional. The bold lines of this piece reflect the artwork in Aurora James' home.
Despite the trash talk about this color pairing, green and brown make total sense as a combination, given that they're commonly found together in the natural world. Rebecca Formichella, Founder & Principal of Studio Formichella explains: 'Green and brown are one of the most naturally harmonious pairings in nature, and at home this duo echoes the poetry of colors we are used to seeing outdoors – a mossy forest floor, gradations of brown on tree bark, and foliage on branches. Brown can act as the anchor, grounding space through wood, leather, or walnut finishes, while green brings freshness and vitality.'
In Aurora James' living room, the natural wood staircase, beams and mantel set the tone with warmth. Jennifer explains why this is so important: 'Brown elements like walnut furniture or leather accents act as the anchor that keeps the palette grounded and timeless. Pattern is another beautiful way to bring the two colors together.'
Conversely, the lime-green painted walls add a zesty freshness, mimicking early spring buds and unfurling leaves. Autumn Pochiro, Founder and Principal Designer at Autumn Dawn Design says: 'Picking the right green is a personal choice. If you want an energetic feel, go for yellow-toned greens, like chartreuse or lime. If you prefer a more natural, calming look, try deeper shades like olive or moss, which pair well with natural colors like browns, taupes, and honey.'
But decorating with green doesn't mean sticking to a single hue. 'There are many shades of green to work with, and layering them can help bring a room together,' adds Autumn. In Aurora James' living room, she's brought in deeper forest green and olive with accent chairs, whilst other shades are picked out in the artwork and natural foliage. Jennifer weighs in: 'Don’t be afraid to mix multiple shades of green either, a brighter green on the walls paired with deeper green upholstery can feel fresh and sophisticated as long as the undertones work together.'
What really makes this space feel so luxe and layered though is Aurora James' use of texture, from velvet chairs to wool rugs, and sheepskin throw pillows. Rebecca explains: 'Texture is where the magic comes in and it can really make a green and brown palette sing. Lush velvets or mohair, deep green woven grasscloth, or a chunky wool rug add depth and richness.'
Finally, a botanical pattern, such as the Farrow & Ball hellebore wallpaper, helps to weave the whole look together. 'Subtle nature motifs make the room feel layered, intentional, and quietly glamorous,' adds Rebecca.
Thinking outside the box when it comes to pairing different shades can lead to stunning results like Aurora James' green and brown living room, if you're brave enough to give it a go. Take a look at these unexpected color combinations that actually work for more inspiration.
If you enjoy our celebrity news and interior design advice, why not sign up to our newsletter so you never miss the latest features?
