You're sadly out of date if you've dismissed green as the standard colour for boring things like school uniform or the dreary paintwork choice for public buildings and institutions.

Sarah Cole, director of paint specialists Farrow & Ball, points out: "Whether on painted or wallpapered wall, green has been the most popular colour family since colour first started appearing properly in our interiors some 350 years ago. Today there are so many choices of green from the more 'drab' historical greens before Prussian blue was introduced to the paint in the 18th century, through to the later bright greens and also hugely popular blue greens. Green remains a most versatile colour suitable for any room."

If the choices are overwhelming – and a sea of green makes you feel a little queasy – be guided by interior design consultant Morwenna Brett. She's joined the green gang – in good company with a host of leading designers – and welcomes the palette's revival. She says: "Green's always refreshing to look at and restful for tired eyes. It combines perfectly with neutrals and natural materials, especially stones."

Morwenna, author of a new book, The Home Decorator's Tile Sourcebook which is an invaluable guide to colour as well as tiles, believes the key to a successful interpretation of green for today's rooms is "using fresh, warm tones of spring green rather than the forest or dark ivy greens.

"Modern greens are those that are softer in paler spring-like shades or heading towards the citrus or chartreuse shades which have a crispness about them. These greens look brilliant teamed either with pale, creamy neutrals or the chic choice paired with dark, earthy colours like coffee, leather brown, and cocoa brown."

Wary of going green all over? Morwenna suggests instead adding accents of green to a monochrome scheme. "Black and white can look a little stark, but adding some brilliant green accessories, a picture or a rug will give a scheme instant vitality and verve."

Nature's green colours and floral-inspired patterns have traditionally featured on classic papers for traditional and period rooms and now they've been given a chic twist for contemporary ranges. Mockie Harrison, design manager at John Lewis Home says: "Green has become the colour we associate most strongly with a natural approach to living and decorating, and our fresh yet calming palette features Wasabi Green, Pollen Yellow and Duck Egg Blue."

Its wallpaper collections take a pretty Eastern theme, with delicate florals in stylised designs.

Laura Ashley's wallpaper and paint collections burst with subtle green
shades such as Eau de Nil, Sea Green and Teal.

Farrow & Ball features two super shades among its extensive range of greens – the new Tunsgate green, a pale, yellowish green which works well with a strong white or as an interesting neutral against darker colours while Churlish Green – rustic yellow-green colour for a retro feel, partners well with dark browns. Emulsion: £25 per 2.5L (walls and ceilings), water based eggshell: £13.50 per 750ml (interior woodwork).

Make a glorious green statement with Loui Loui Hanging Garden Roses paper in a juicy lime shade, from House Couturier. The design's eye catching 3-D effect can be printed in fabric and vinyl as well. It's about £143 for paper and £94 for the fabric.

True converts to the green brigade could opt for bathroom or kitchen units in green. Morwenna Brett says: "Dark jungle greens can appear rich and mysterious, and they look good combined with the sparkle of glass and the sheen of chrome or other metallic finishes."

Lighter look for a classic lounger

In collaboration with the Eames office and Hella Jongerius, Vitra presents a lighter, brighter reinterpretation of the 20th-century classic, the Eames Lounger. Everything is balanced and minutely detailed: from the zippers, to the spacers and the gliders. The upholstery is off-white leather framed by varnished walnut veneer shells and set off by a polished aluminium base. It costs £3,607 and is available from Cimmermann, 10 Regent Parade Harrogate. Visit www.cimmermann.co.uk

Reg and Gloria sitting pretty

Leeds-based Naughtone launched in 2005 and their furniture is now stocked everywhere, from Selfridges and Liberty to MOMA in New York. Kieron Bakewell, design director, says the company is continually expanding its range, which now includes Reg and Gloria – a chair and bar stool. The Reg chair costs £205 and the Gloria bar stool is £302. www.naughtone.com

Designers bid for a new success story

Award winning Hebden Bridge-based furniture designers Melia, are launching their erotically named new table by public auction.
The Orgasm is being released in a limited edition of 300 after a prototype was featured on the Eurosport TV channel.

From today, the first edition of the design will be on eBay and is expected to go for about £10,000 because of its collectability.
Melia founders John-Paul Melia and Lucy Tatam, are gaining an impressive reputation. John-Paul's Pants coffee table, which costs from £450, is already a hit with buyers around the world. Clients include a Hollywood star who ordered a Pants table in beautiful macassar ebony veneer for his luxury villa.

The first edition of The Orgasm will be finished using the same macassar ebony veneer on the outside and ivory lacquer on the inside, and fitted with clear glass top and bottom.
For more details visit www.meliadesign.co.uk