Trees are not green

I often look in detail at the colours of plants to generate colour palettes and to stimulate my creative process. Every single plant I observe is multicoloured and complex, for example, each green leaf contains many shades of green. Some plants have leaves which dramatically change colour as they develop from the juvenile to the mature leaf (eg. Eucalyptus sp.) and their stems, flowers, buds, fruit, branches, trucks, bark all have unique colour properties.  The colours above are all collected from the Lemon Scented Gum (Corymbia citriodora).

I’ve found that every plant exhibits a uniquely beautiful set of colour relationships that are always in harmony with each other.  Each plant is its own exquisite colour world. However, not every colour in a given plant translates to a good colour for architecture, so my process then includes refining and selecting the tones which are most appropriate. (Hint: it’s generally not the brightest colours!)

It’s my belief, and my experience, that if colours of an interior space are in harmony with the view of the garden or landscape seen beyond, our minds are soothed and delighted, we feel more connected to the environment and the results are universally pleasing.  This can be very subtle, or it can be explicit.

The idea goes further than the simply aesthetic. With each project I learn more about the local ecology of the project site and can share this learning with my clients, as they share their local knowledge with me. Story and meaning become embedded in the design of the place, and help to guide design decisions throughout the project.

I’ve made a colour palette to celebrate the beauty of Ceratopetalum gummiferum (NSW Christmas Bush) to wish you a happy holiday season. This gorgeous shrub represents Christmas in Australia to me.

Projects which take inspiration from the colours of plants include North Bondi Amenities, Prince Alfred Park Pool Chimneys, Paddington Primary School Mural and the Hanging Garden Mural.