Erin Napier Makes A Craftsman Home Feel Even Cozier With A Stunning Paint Shade

When it comes to creating a cozy home, you can rely on Erin Napier's judgment. The interior designer and HGTV star is revered in the interior design community for turning old, historic homes into an updated dream, while still sustaining that classic charm. In fact, she and her husband have transformed their own country house into a darling, private escape with coziness and peace in mind. It follows, then, that you'd want to decorate your home like the HGTV star. One way to recreate her intimate, lived-in look in your own home? Employing a green paint shade that's inviting, classic, and oh-so cozy.

In Season 9, Episode 5 of "Home Town," Ben and Erin Napier transform their client's first house into a cozy, classic English home. Their client, Whitney, describes his love for architecture and draws inspiration for his future home's renovation from his mom's Craftsman home. The reveal shows a mix of old and new elements, including a marble fireplace and a classic gallery wall. To get that classic, lived-in look for the living room, Erin employs a soft, neutral green paint shade throughout the space, complemented with white trim to achieve the look of a Craftsman-style house.

The integration of green paint makes sense, given that the color green itself has a positive psychological effect on us. According to color psychology, shades of green in interior spaces can provide feelings of calm and tranquility, soothing whoever steps into a room in a way that feels genuine and deliberate. That's because green is related to nature, so employing green paint can connect us to the peace that being outside brings. This is one of many design tricks to make your home feel more warm and cozy.

Choosing your shade of green is the fun part, but it should be done with careful consideration, especially when attempting to create a cozy environment. While green shades can naturally promote a sense of calm, the undertone and shade of your paint matters. For example, a dark, moody shade of green, such as Hunter Green by Benjamin Moore, is sophisticated. This dramatic shade can create a statement of luxury and allow other shades to contrast with the space while still maintaining a welcoming environment.

On the other hand, if you're looking to brighten up your space, you might fare better with a lighter shade of green. October Mist by Benjamin Moore is a sage green shade with a neutral undertone. This color is perfect to employ in spaces for a classic, airy atmosphere that also feels lived-in. To create a classic English home style, consider contrasting the lighter shade of green with a dark wooden trim. 

You can further lean into the classic English country aesthetic by blending old and new furniture. A modern sofa that has a neutral shade, for example, can synchronize beautifully. This is especially true when you add vintage pieces like frames with unpolished brass or gold.