Welcome To My Green Room
WORDS: CHYKA KEEBAUGH
IMAGES: MARCEL AUCAR + CHYKA KEEBAUGH
Every home needs a grand entrance, a space that sets the tone for the rest of the house. When we looked at ours, we felt it wasn't quite right—it needed more personality, warmth, and a seamless connection to the outdoors. And so, the Green Room was born!
To create a truly immersive experience, we chose stunning handmade Moroccan tiles from Tiles of Ezra in the most divine shade of green, bringing the outdoors in. We tiled the entire fireplace wall to make it a substantial design feature. This is such a stunning feature that it is perfect for standing in front of and admiring the space. Then, we contrasted it with warm timber panelling on either side for texture and depth. Combining rich, natural elements makes the space feel stylish and welcoming. This room isn't just about aesthetics—it's designed for work and play and has proven to be a great space to gather and work. We added a small dining table for six, the perfect setup for an intimate dinner with friends or a relaxed morning coffee. You may have noticed I set up my Christmas table in this room, which was so beautiful. A compact desk was also necessary, creating a cozy corner for Zoom meetings or a quiet place to write.
Now, let's talk about the fun part—styling! One white wall begged for some drama, so I turned it into a statement piece by hanging my collection of green cabbage plates. I measured everything carefully, laid them on the floor first, and then had our builder hang them precisely as I envisioned. The result? A playful yet sophisticated focal point.
At the back of the room, we installed custom metal cabinetry in the same black metal finish as our conservatory. This has become my 'White Shop,' a place to display all my beautiful white china—because, let's be honest, if you don't see it, you don't use it! I love the mix of different textures and shapes, all unified by their crisp white hue. And funnily enough, it's always the men who seem the most fascinated by this collection!
Texture is key to making a space feel layered and inviting. I brought in rattan accents in the form of trays, baskets, and even a chic little rubbish bin. Bruce surprised me with the most incredible green chandelier featuring a whimsical rooster. I added wicker shades from Amazon to keep it relaxed rather than too formal, which softened the look beautifully.
Since the room has soaring ceilings, I wanted to draw the eye upwards. We placed two large wicker baskets from Wicka on top of black planters, stacking them on books for extra height. These baskets get a seasonal update: mini Christmas trees in December and faux Japanese maple trees add extra greenery for the rest of the year. We added a black metal mirror from Rose Street Trading to the wall opposite the stairs. It subtly reflects the design of the cabinetry and conservatory doors, ensuring continuity throughout the house.
Lighting can make or break a space, so every lamp, downlight, and feature light is on a dimmer. This allows us to create a warm, inviting ambience at any time of day. For the furniture, we had dining chairs and two armchairs custom-made by Graham Geddes, all upholstered in stunning green fabric. The final touch? A matching green fringe trim, sourced with help from Elliot Clarke, brings everything together beautifully.
Finishing touches are as important as more significant pieces of furniture. A room's scent is as essential as its style; I only burn green candles in this space. My go-to's are Diptyque's Green Fig and Flamingo Estate's divine scents, which add a perfect touch of luxury. One of my favourite design details is the bespoke lamp on Bruce's desk, created by the talented Suzie Stanford. It's made from an eclectic mix of country finds—cows, eagles, birds, butterflies, bees—all brought together charmingly and unexpectedly. I topped it off with a green rattan lampshade from Cromwell, who also crafted the two large lamps on our side benches.
And then, because I love a little fun in styling, I set up a mini bar on a sleek black lacquered scallop tray. When shopping at Dan Murphy's, I bought only green bottles of gin, vodka, and tequila—so much so that a fellow shopper asked me what I was up to! It's such a simple yet fabulous way to tie everything together.
The Green Room is far from simple but incredibly calm, cohesive, and utterly joyful. With its rich layers, thoughtful details, and playful touches, it has become a space that's as functional as it is fabulous. So, if you're considering revamping a room, why start with a strong colour theme and build from there? Whether green, blue or even pink, keeping a tight colour palette makes everything feel intentional and effortlessly chic.
Happy styling!
