You are so correct, I thought the same exact thing. The Green plate has so much detail. Its very busy from the textures and patterns created by the green and lack of green in the surroundings.
That and the darker appearance gives it a very rustic or ominous appearance. When I look at the green plate portion for some reason the theme song from the movie "The Amityville Horror" comes to mind (the original).
Where as the red plate or the combination is much brighter and has a much more inspirational mood.