Why Green is my Favorite Color!

Over the years, my "colorful" personality made it impossible for me to pick just one color to favor! I gravitated toward red throughout grade school - as I gotten older, royal blue in college (like KU #rockchalk ;)) and ebullient yellow (like sunshine) recently made my list.

So, when and how did "green" become my favorite color?! When I graduated college in December 2007, I decided to co-host my own "Black and Green" party with my best friend Roquita (whom we're still thick as thieves) at her apartment! Naturally, everyone had to wear either a shade of black or green. Call it a play on the iconic annual "White Party" orchestrated by rapper Sean Combs [known as Diddy]. I considered (and still do my current) friends celebrities, so it's cool to celebrate together. My headshots in the cover shot parlay a partial timeline of the first one and each succeeding) - fortunately my teeth look the same. ;)

Of course, Green holds a sentimental part of my life - but reflecting back why does green stand out as my favorite color today?!

Don't be "green with envy" of others using green!

Green means GO! - I urge anyone to incorporate more green things into their life!

Coincidentally, "green" is a trendy term within the A&D industry lexicon and is helping steer the built environment into a whole new direction! According of ArchiSoup, people use green for its "advance of calm, tranquility, serenity, and well-being". Within the design world, reference the leader of all color hues, PANTONE! A decade ago (2013), Pantone crowned the shade of green "Emerald" as Color of the Year! Pantone Color Institute's Executive Director, Latrice Eiseman listed among many reasons why Emerald [17-5641] was chosen its historical notoriety and continued ability "to sparkle and fascinate." Read Latrice's entire quote below.

"The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute?. "As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world. This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors."        

Among Emerald's many associations include birth of new generations, unity, and healing. Don't just take my word for it, by viewing the mood boards pictured in Pantone's article, inspiration comes from sophistication, luxury, opulence, and tradition (especially tartan print)! Even more reason I find green deeply attractive, as many above associations are what I desire in my own life!

Continuing on with architects' inspiration with green, PPG Paints acquired the colors curating the Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin collection in 2017 from Seymour Paints. Their FLW Green, labeled "Mountain Forest" is just as eye-popping as PANTONE's Emerald! One of my favorite architects, Frank Lloyd Wright, also implemented biophilic (green) design into his Prairie-style structures long before "Organic Architecture" was a household name. While FLW's color of choice was Cherokee Red, he didn't shy away from Green. Proven example being the geometric wallcovering pictured below.

In fact, the FLW designed textile pictured above from The Metropolitan Museum of Art correlates with the building's natural habitat. Organic architecture, especially by Frank Lloyd Wright, incorporates biophilic design - thoughtfully bringing elements of nature inside (i.e. trees, grass, shrubs) the project. Case en point, my abode has multiple live green plants in the living room and kitchen, reminding me how Forest Park St. Louis always is! Green remains holding a special place for well-renowned architects and designers!

Speaking of Forest Park St. Louis, I became more fond of "Green living" - appreciating nature - while balancing my mental health during the pandemic. As Educational Committee Chair of the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council , I've learned an abundance on Green Living practices, including the Living Future and how "green" as both a color and lifestyle. My blog for the MGGBC touches on recent LEED Accredited Buildings in St. Louis, [not mentioned but worth a shout-out to HOK for Missouri Foundation for Health (with which we did a tour recently!] Professionally, I strive to bring a love for green practice by bringing the AIA Materials Pledge and recruiting other involvement with other non-profits like mindful MATERIALS ! Not just aesthetically, loving green is about proactively living better. Don't just talk the talk, but also walk the walk!

We live in a colorful world. Whether or not I've convinced you to wear more green or go green, be passionate enough to water the seeds you've planted! In fact, do not be afraid to experiment with any color you like! Do not feel intimated by any color of the rainbow! "Green" strongly helped in my journey of being able to comfortably express myself. ArchDaily mentions how color dictates architecture. It's up to us, whether hosting a theme party or designing a building, to take color into consideration for what message we'd like to convey into the world! Be better in green, do better in green, just don't be green with envy. Plus, black isn't always the uniform!