Green Front Doors

Although I live in a city right now (albeit in a pretty neighborhood of tree-lined streets and brick townhouses), I dream of having a country cottage one day. Big flower garden. And maybe a green front door like the gorgeous shot here, which I found on shelterness.com. For color psychologists, green represents renewal and harmony—great feelings to be reminded of each time you enter your home. I also found an article on green doors and feng shui:

http://www.homecurbappeal.com/what-does-a-green-front-door-mean-meaning-of-a-green-exterior-door/

Do you ever have visions of the home you might live in one day? Or are you already in the home of your dreams? I love my home, and often dreamed of living in a Brooklyn townhouse. But a small house with a garden seems to me where I am meant to end up one day. Surrounded by nature and all the most meaningful objects I have collected over a lifetime. I've been paring down collections in the past few years, trying to determine what really matters and what can go. My dream cottage will only have what matters most, or as William Morris wrote: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. And there may be a green front door, and probably at least one room that's sage or apple green!

The Evolution of a Favorite Color

Throughout my childhood, my favorite color was yellow. My room had bright sunflower walls. But I always had a soft spot for green, too, especially the spring green of buds that only lasts for a week or two before leaves turn a deeper hue. I think the place that really triggered my love of green as an adult -- to the point where it overtook my love of yellow -- was Magnolia Bakery, a magical place on a narrow, tree-lined street in NYC's Greenwich Village. The walls were (are? haven't been there in too long!) a pale green with white wainscoting that just made me feel happy. Similar to the shade of the buttercream frosting up above, on one of their signature cupcakes. (I got the image from their website: http://www.magnoliabakery.com/ Go visit, or order online, if you can!) In my opinion, Magnolia Bakery makes the best buttercream frosting (and the prettiest shade of green). Since then, I have stated proudly that my favorite color is green, though I do still love yellow. Green and yellow together? Perfection. (Now I'm really craving a cupcake!)

Welcome!

Welcome to Sage and Apple Green—my new blog about design and home decor, textiles, crafts, and all things that I love. The name refers to my two favorite colors (and Sage is also my daughter's name, which makes it even more special). I've been writing about decorating for more than a decade now, from my days on staff at Country Living magazine to my years freelancing for CL, Town & Country, Art & Auction, O and more. I hope you'll stop in now and then to see what I've found and what I'm thinking about—and I hope you'll share your thoughts with me. The photograph above was taken last summer in Maine, one of my favorite places on earth. My family was blueberry picking on top of a hill overlooking Lake Megunticook. So much green!

Speaking of green, check out my blog post on Bob Vila.com about bringing the color green into your home. What are your favorite shades of green?

http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/how-to-bring-the-seasons-most-abundant-color-into-your-home/