Autumn has arrived, bringing misty mornings and spectacular sunsets, long rambling walks with fallen leaves crisp underfoot, roaring fires and comforting roasts in the oven.
While the heat of summer may have faded, olive, the new-season Neptune shade, is as rich and as vibrant as the changing landscape outside.
While we’ll never fall out of love with inky blues and soft greys, autumn decor calls for earthiness and abundance - a colour redolent of the spoils of harvest, as rich as the earth in which it grows.
This bronze-hued olive, with its yellow undertones bringing a reassuring heritage feel, is at once cosy and soothing, verdant and lively.
Its roots lie with the ancient Greeks who revered the olive tree - a gift given to Athens by Athena herself.
From one tree, they harvested fruit, oil and wood: it was the symbol of abundance, and so it is today.
And whether you use it boldly in a bedroom, add elegance to a hallway or cosy-up your sitting room, this deep, warm shade of green is here to stay.
Hallway
Warm, vibrant, welcoming and confident - a hallway is the perfect place to introduce tasteful olive. Pair with a dark wood console, woven baskets and a mixture of artwork and cherished family photographs for a heritage look, or team with light, contemporary Scandinavian furniture like this Larsson low chest of drawers for an elegant, modern feel.
Pared down, with a wooden coat hook, bench and simple baskets full of the season's bounty, it's contemporary country living at its finest.
Try adding a handsome console like this Blenheim, with its textured grain and beautifully turned legs.
Bedroom
With an unmistakably cocoon-like feel, olive walls in a bedroom pair beautifully with crisp white linen and dusky pink accents - they sit opposite each other on the colour wheel. Add glass lamp bases with silk shades, jugs of seasonal foliage and hints of brass for a serene, soothing, verdant look. Try this Larsson bed, with its Chloe Trellis stonewashed upholstered linen headboard and cool Scandinavian design. It's set off perfectly by our Shaftesbury lamp.
Sitting room
Using olive will draw your eye to the outside, connecting with the natural world, and it’s a smart choice, particularly for east or north-facing rooms. These spaces often have green or blue undertones, and using olive on the walls gives a feeling of timeless elegance. Add soft greys or biscuits to bring balancing light to a scheme, or use olive throws in natural fabrics and cushions in a neutral space for warmth, cosiness and texture as the seasons turn. These Wardley chairs, in natural oak, are simple and elegant.
Dining room
Seasonal suppers, cosy nights in…olive accents bring the bounty of the season to your table. Introducing olive candles, cutlery like the Handsworth and Neptune’s Antonia linen napkins, along with jugs of autumnal foliage and wooden serving platters, will give a woodland feast-like feel to the space. Pair olive walls with heritage furniture in dark oak for a classic feel, or try flashes of black and white for sophistication and surprise. Cutlery, napkins and tableware available in-store or by calling our Neptune sales team on 01886 884665.
Kitchen
Smart, creative, calming - olive is everything in a kitchen. Olive looks stunning against traditional flagstones, but is equally at home with limestone tiles. Introducing olive to an island unit or your cabinet doors imbues a homely warmth, particularly paired with copper pans, a scrub-top table and neutral linens. It sits well with Neptune paint shades Old Chalk, Honed Slate and Shell.
This Ardingly pantry can be customised with shelves, marble and mirrors for a bespoke piece to suit you and your home. It's available to view and order in-store.
Photography by Neptune
