Blue Hues: why we love them in our homes

Wrenda Goodwyn • special to the Fort Myers News-Press • October 5, 2019

It’s classic, timeless and never goes out of style. And it’s America’s favorite color. No surprise.

The New Colony Collection from Thibaut Design is full of exotic patterns that add globe-trotting flair. From African mud cloths to scenic tiger reserves, this bold collection reimages prints and textiles discovered during colonial trade routes. Shown: Tiger Reserve wallpaper in slate blue. It presents a fresh look with a painted table and blue lamp base. Photo: Thibaut Design

Blue is also calming, invoking feelings of tranquility and peace. It’s thought to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and heart rate.  

It’s a color from nature found in water and the sky. It reminds us of the tropics, the beach and the deep blue sea. It makes us feel good.

Blue is the most commonly used color in corporate branding. Think about the logos of American Express, Ford, Oral-B, Dell, Facebook, Lowe’s, Visa and many others.

Pretty in blues. This dining room pairs Thibaut Design’s Chappana wallpaper and printed fabric for roman shades. Darien dining chairs in Grassmarket check woven fabric in navy. Blue and white accessories. Photo: Thibaut Design

In our homes, we can’t possibly go wrong with blue. As a Southwest Florida interior decorator, I have always felt that no matter what your color palette, every room needs something blue. Even if it’s just a little pop.

Something blue for the home

Many of my clients have gone very bold with blue in the past year. Try it on:

·       Furniture: Paint a tired piece of furniture in the beautiful cornflower blue that we see so often in French décor. It gives it new life and serves as a great accent piece.

·       Sofa: Say goodbye to your brown sofa and have it reupholstered in a beautiful blue or blue/green fabric.

·       Kitchen cabinets: Seeing lots of these lately. Navy is hugely popular and you likely know by now that Sherwin-Williams named its color of the year SW Naval (6244). Using a color on cabinets is a beautiful commitment so ask yourself if you will love it in five years!

·       Wall coverings: my favorite is in a dining room or powder room. Something bold and outrageous!

·       Window treatments: drapes and shades.

Mix blues for a pretty entry with this color palette from Benjamin Moore. Wall: Palladian Blue HC-144. Trim and wainscoting: Whipple Blue HC-152. Ceiling: Mascarpone AF-20. Photo: Benjamin Moore

·       Bathroom walls: the color of water with white gives your bath a spa feeling.

·       Ceilings: The ceiling is your fifth wall. If your walls are a silver gray or white, there are gorgeous blues for ceilings without boxing in the entire room in a color. Think about a blue ceiling with gold fixtures.

·       Trim and baseboards: Rather than walls, paint the trim and baseboards for a dramatic accent.

 ·       Rugs: A splash of blue in a rug on wood or tile brings the room to life.

·       Accessories and artwork: Want just a pop of blue? Lamps, pottery, dishes, books, candles, ginger jars, vases, pillows, a splash of blue in paintings.

·       Front door!

Color palette

It’s difficult to find a color that does not look great with blue.  I always like to throw in a third color. Here are a few mistake-proof combinations:

·       White-blue-gray

·       White-blue-yellow

·       Blue-black-coral

·       Dark blue-white-hot pink

·       Light blue-green-red

·       Blue-all neutrals

·       Blue-brown-taupe

·       White-blue-coral

·       Red-white-blue

Whether you live in a home near the beach or just want the feeling of a calm and pretty space, think blue. You can’t go wrong. 

Wrenda Goodwyn is a Southwest Florida interior decorator, A.S.I.D. associate and gold member of the Interior Redecorators Network. She helps homeowners throughout Southwest Florida with timeless, affordable ways to create beautiful spaces and solves decorating problems. Her article appears the first Saturday of each month. For more information visit her website at spectacularspaces.com. Call her at 949-1808 or e-mail wrenda@spectacularspaces.com. For more decorating tips, articles and photos, visit spectacularspaces.com/blog