Leafy and Regal: The Many Faces of Green

Paris, France | Paris Ouest Sotheby’s International Realty

Signifying prosperity, growth, and a connection to nature, green is having a design moment—take Behr’s 2022 color of the year, a minty green paint called Breezeway that’s inspired by seaglass, or Benjamin Moore’s sage-adjacent shade for 2022, October Mist. Of course there’s a whole palette of verdant hues to choose from, no matter the type of home or room that’s ready for an elevated refresh. Whether it’s time for a full revamp, or a mere spruce up, take note of these four exemplary luxury homes that have taken innovative approaches to integrating shades of green.

An Unforgettable Taste of Teal, Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa | Jo Thomas, Rouvaun Mckirby, & Jacques Fourie, Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty

Seeking inspiration for making a bold choice for green? Look no further than this charming five-bedroom Cape Town oasis featuring a resplendent teal kitchen that makes an instant design impact. Such a vibrant choice works beautifully here as it plays off of the ample natural light that pours into the space through multiple windows, sitting in perfect balance with the bright wall space that surrounds. With complementary warm wood finishes, not to mention a stunning azure living room, there’s a warmth and playfulness to the entire home thanks to sublime shades of greens and blue. And the feeling continues outdoors—imagine warm days spent on the covered veranda enjoying views of the lush garden, and beyond, the glittering aquamarine swimming pool.

Gorgeous Indoor Greenery, Los Gatos, California

Los Gatos, California | Olivia Decker, Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

Incorporating shades of green doesn’t always have to involve paint—it can be as straightforward as turning the indoors into a leafy oasis with carefully curated foliage. A perfect example? This magnificent eight-bedroom Silicon Valley estate, situated on over 50 acres. While mature palm trees dot the sprawling, manicured grounds outside, it’s the innovative integration of live greenery inside that give this property an extra wow factor. Juxtaposed by immaculate neutral design and a white color scheme, plants and towering trees take root in the foyer and living spaces along with elegant water features. This seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living, combined with pristine modern design, epitomizes Californian luxury living.

Palatial Exterior Accents, Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca, Spain | Sandra Cosio, Mallorca Sotheby’s International Realty

With such a spectacular surrounding landscape, it’s only fitting that this stately 20-bedroom Spanish manor house, on over 65 acres in mountainous Valldemossa, draws inspiration from its location. With deep forest green shutters lining the estate’s exterior, as well as in the interior courtyard, it’s a prime example of how to use color to reflect and complement nature’s beauty. Thematically, green works especially well here as the fertile grounds boast long-established gardens and sprawling lawns, plus orchards with orange, lemon, olive, and almond trees. Indoors, high-quality fixtures, finishes, and top technology make living here the best of both worlds.

Transform The Walls, New York, New York

New York, New York | Serena Boardman, Maria Bazo, Eileen Angelo, & Julie B. Hascoe, Sotheby’s International Realty – East Side Manhattan Brokerage

This four-bedroom Upper East Side penthouse offers Manhattan living at its finest with 2,000 square feet of outdoor space for exceptional skyline views, a magical conservatory sunroom, chef’s kitchen, and stunning architectural highlights like the marble clad staircase and wood panelled living room. In addition to these luxury features, the entire home is impeccably designed to exude both comfort and modern-day glamor, while using a variety of greens for splashes of color. Take the mint green walls in the bedroom, for example, or the grass-adorned sitting area, or even the ornate emerald details in the greenhouse—it’s a lesson in using color to set the scene at home.

Greens are certainly a popular choice for home décor right now, and can be effective at adding a touch of majesty. As these four properties show, variations of green can be used creatively to make a home even more captivating and welcoming, and these flourishing hues are sure to make an impact in any capacity. 

Interested in cultivating greenery outdoors instead? Peruse five properties with spectacular garden plots.