Discover Brunswick Green's Unique Charm

Brunswick Green is a deep, dark green with a long history of use in England and Germany. The colour was first manufactured from copper compounds in Braunschweig, Germany, in the middle of the 18th century. It is a fairly permanent colour with good covering power and can appear almost black.

The history of Brunswick Green

Brunswick Green is a deep, dark green with a long history. The pigment was originally composed of copper compounds (Atacamite) and was first developed in 1795 by the Brunswick brothers. The copper compound pigment that gave it its signature colour was first manufactured in the German town of Braunschweig, from which the colour gets its name. In English, the town is known as Brunswick, located in the region of Lower Saxony.

The pigment was made by placing copper filings in an ammonium chloride solution and then collecting the precipitate formed after a week. By the 19th century, Brunswick Green was prepared by mixing Prussian Blue and Chrome Yellow, which is more commonly known as Chrome Green. It is a fairly permanent colour with good coverage.

During the Industrial Revolution, Brunswick Green became an important colour for machinery, especially for railroads, which used various shades of the colour to paint their rolling stock. The colour would start out as black and then weather to a brighter green as the copper compounds oxidised. The cast iron mounts of historic observatory telescopes also often used a mid-Brunswick Green.

Today, Brunswick Green is a popular colour for the doors and trims of traditional character homes, especially those in heritage areas. It is often teamed with stone neutrals and muddy whites but can also make a striking statement on bold modern exteriors. Depending on the lighting at different times of the day, Brunswick Green can vary from almost black to a rich evergreen.

How to use the colour

Brunswick Green is a versatile and elegant colour with a wide range of applications. Here are some tips on how to use this colour effectively:

When choosing a paint colour, it is essential to consider the lighting conditions of the space. Natural light can vary throughout the day, and artificial lighting can also impact the appearance of colours. Testing colours in different lighting conditions is crucial to ensure the desired effect. Brunswick Green is a deep, dark shade that can appear almost black in certain lights, so it is an excellent choice for creating a sophisticated and intimate atmosphere.

The tone of the paint, referring to its lightness or darkness, plays a pivotal role in altering our perception of space. Lighter colours tend to make a room appear larger, while darker colours like Brunswick Green can make a space feel smaller and more enclosed. If you want to make a bold statement with Brunswick Green, consider using it in a room with abundant natural light to create a striking contrast.

Brunswick Green is an excellent choice for exterior paint, particularly on traditional character homes in heritage areas. It pairs beautifully with stone neutrals and muddy whites, adding a touch of elegance and depth to the property. The colour's historical significance and richness make it a popular choice for those seeking a timeless and sophisticated look.

When using Brunswick Green, consider the surrounding environment as paint can absorb the properties of nearby elements. For example, red brick exterior walls, vibrant gardens, or brightly coloured furniture can influence the way Brunswick Green appears. The colour may reflect or complement these surrounding hues, so it is essential to envision the overall colour scheme before committing to Brunswick Green.

Brunswick Green is a versatile colour that can be used in various design contexts. It can be paired with warmer colours like reds and oranges to create a vibrant and energetic space or combined with cooler colours like blues and greens for a calming and soothing atmosphere. The colour's flexibility allows designers and homeowners to create distinct moods and styles, making it a valuable addition to any colour palette.

The science behind the colour

Brunswick Green is a deep, dark green with a long history. The colour was first created in 1795 by the Brunswick brothers, who developed a pigment using basic copper chloride (Atacamite). This was achieved by placing copper filings in an ammonium chloride solution and collecting the precipitate formed after one week. The copper compound pigment that gives the colour its signature hue was first manufactured in the town of Braunschweig, Germany—which is known as Brunswick in English.

The colour was mass-manufactured in the middle of the 18th century and became widely used during the Industrial Revolution. Machinery, and particularly railroads, adopted Brunswick Green as a popular paint choice. The colour would start out as a dark black and then weather to a brighter green as the copper compounds oxidised. This transformation from black to green as the paint ages is one of the reasons for its popularity on doors and trims of traditional character homes.

Brunswick Green can vary in appearance depending on the light and time of day. In certain lights, it can appear almost black, while at other times it can look like a rich evergreen. This chameleon-like quality gives the colour depth and complexity. The way a room is lit, and the objects and colours around it, will also impact the way Brunswick Green paint appears.

The tone of a colour refers to its lightness or darkness. Tone adds form and shape to objects and can alter our perception of space, making it appear larger or smaller. Brunswick Green's versatility in tone, from its ability to recede visually to adding visual enlargement, is part of its appeal.

Where the name comes from

The colour Brunswick Green gets its name from the copper compounds it is made from, which were first manufactured in the town of Braunschweig in Germany. The town is known as Brunswick in English and is located in the region of Lower Saxony. The colour was first mass-manufactured in the middle of the 18th century and was originally composed of basic copper chloride (Atacamite). The pigment was made by placing copper filings in an ammonium chloride solution and then collecting the precipitate formed after one week.

The colour is a deep, dark green with a long history of use in England and Germany. It can appear almost black and then change to a brighter shade of green as the copper compounds oxidize. This colour transformation proved useful during the Industrial Revolution, when Brunswick Green became an important colour for machinery, especially for railroads, which used various shades to paint their rolling stock.

In 1923, after the horrors of World War I, the colour was renamed English Green in the United Kingdom, reflecting the sometimes tumultuous relationship between the two countries.

Similar shades

Brunswick Green is a timeless deep, dark green with a long history. It is an emerald shade with a jungle green undertone. The copper compound pigment that gives it its signature colour was first manufactured in a town called Braunschweig in Germany, hence the name.

There are many shades that are similar to Brunswick Green. Here are some examples:

• Deep Bottle Green
• Deep Jungle Green
• Thistle Green
• Swedish Green
• Urban Green
• Fjord Green
• Moss Green
• Pine Green
• Pearl Opal Green
• Opal Green
• Rain Forest
• Evergreen
• Eden
• Dark Green
• Green Blue
• Blue
• Hollybush
• Green
• MSU Green (Spartan Green)
• Ocean Tropic
• Absolute Green
• Forest Green
• Green Bay
• Forest Shadows
• Breathe Deeply
• Wilderness
• Midsummer Night
• Hunt Club
• Country Squire
• Shamrock
• Cape Verde
• Billiard Table
• Holly Bush
• Deep Pine
• Enchanting Ivy
• Billiard Green
• Royal Hunter Green
• Black Spruce
• Green Agate
• Verdant Forest
• Dark Everglade
• Billiard Green

These shades are all within the green colour family and have similar hues to Brunswick Green, with slight variations in tone and saturation.

Frequently asked questions