[Ad] Gorgeous green Wishbone chair by Carl Hansen & Søn x Ilse Crawford

Grey used to be my favourite colour, now green has taken it’s place firmly in my heart. It started off with a few green accessories here and there, then a green feature wall, and another in the hallway, and now a gorgeous green Wishbone chair takes pride of place in my otherwise neutral kitchen. The deep forest green tone fits in perfectly with the other green touches in the space, creating a focal point against the soft grey units that immediately draws your eye in from the hallway. Here is a design classic, reimagined in a soft, matte tone, that looks timeless yet distinctly of the moment. It really is my dream chair!

This green Wishbone chair is one of nine new colours curated by Ilse Crawford for Danish brand Carl Hansen & Søn. The colour is called Seaweed and references the hidden power and natural beauty of humble algae.

When tasked with designing a palette of colours for the Wishbone chair (otherwise known as the CH24 chair), Ilse Crawford didn’t want to rely on trends that might go out of fashion. It was daunting enough putting paint to a Hans J. Wegner chair, first put into production in 1950. Instead, she wanted to create a range of subtle, subdued colours that were easy to use and could ‘fit in everywhere without you even realising it’. Crawford hoped the colours would somehow feel Danish and resonate with a contemporary audience, reflecting ‘the times we live in’.

For inspiration, Crawford looked to the work of Danish artist Per Kirkeby, who painted raw, abstract landscapes with loose, gestural brushstrokes and earthy, mossy tones. The way Kirkeby talked about colour appealed to Crawford: ‘he didn’t like nice colours, he liked colours that were true and had strength’. The resulting nine colours, reference the paintings that Crawford first saw at an exhibition at the Tate, but they also pay homage to the primal tones of the Nordic landscape and the vernacular of Denmark, in particular. Says Ilse, ‘These are not standard colours governed by the trends of the time, but colours that add depth and complexity to any interior.’

Crawford notes how closely colour is related to our emotions and mood. For me, green simply puts me at ease. It makes me feel good and helps me feel connected with nature, even from inside four, bare, neutral walls. How you respond to colour will be different for everyone, but for me, the colour green helps to create a sense of harmony and tranquility in a space. I always feel restored after a walk in a forest or a day outside. I want to somehow try and capture that feeling and bring it into the home, so I can create my own sanctuary of peace and calm inside.

And it’s not just me. There’s perhaps a reason actors go into a ‘green room’ before they perform – to help them relax. Studies have also shown that hospital patients recover quicker with a green view over a view of a brick wall or building.

Here, there’s something about the combination of the smooth, matte green frame and the textured, woven cord seat that makes this green Wishbone chair appealing to the senses. It adds warmth and tactility to the clean, simple lines of my kitchen.

With its gently curved, U-shaped back, I always think a Wishbone chair looks instantly inviting. One of the comfiest chairs I’ve sat in, you can’t help but want to lead back into its open embrace. Ilse Crawford described it as a work of genius – ‘an extension of your body’.

The green adds an extra layer to the green layers in the space. I love when interior spaces have a bit of irregularity and imperfection. It helps add character and interest. It’s why I love mix and matching chairs around the dining table, I think it helps give a more relaxed look. The green Wishbone chair just adds a finishing touch that helps the space ‘pop’. In a small space, the chair is perfect for adding a focal point at the end of the dining table. In a bigger space, I would mix and match colours to create an eye-catching scene.

The Wishbone (CH24) chair is available in nine colours by Ilse Crawford, including: Pewter, Falu, Slate, North Sea, Seaweed, Hollyhock, Barley, Terracotta and Clay. All the colours are eco-friendly and water-based. They are each priced at £509

Explore the new colours here.