At once calming and peaceful, blue can transform the tone and mood of a room while simultaneously creating a warm inviting and welcoming space. Blue is a versatile color and is often considered a neutral due to its simplicity. Whether creating drama with a deep navy or offering serenity with a cool pale bluish-green, decorating with this current color trend can add
instant panache to any room. Fran Keenan of Fran Keenan Design proves she is a true master at mixing moody shades of this color in a deftly balance of pattern, texture and color.
BHG: Give us your thoughts on working with shades of blue and please share with us some of your favorite paint colors.
FK: My philosophy on color is that there is no one color fits all. There are so many nuanced details that determine why a color might work in one space and feel dead in
another. However, if I had to pick a few versatile favorites that have been successful to us recently, here goes....
One of my favorite pale grey blues (it’s actually the blue we used for Brooks Dining Room) is "Light Blue" by Farrow & Ball. I love using this as a warm backdrop. It has enough grey to be livable, but enough pigment to not feel icy and
cold. I love blues that have ambiguity, so they don't have that "out of the can navy" feel. "Hague Blue" by Farrow & Ball has lovely green undertones."Blue Note" by Benjamin Moore is a rich, dramatic navy that brings a lot of sophistication to a space. "Newburyport Blue" is a spunky, balanced navy (not too purple) that we recently used for a tween bedroom and mixed back beautifully with gold and washed pinks.
Here are a few examples from Leslie and Michael Brooks’ home to illustrate Fran’s use of blue throughout the home.
This head-turning blue upholstered pantry door, complete with nailhead trim, belies its durability. It’s crafted from a virtually indestructible marine-grade vinyl.
The handsome powder room takes the home’s blue streak to the hilt by coating every last surface, save the curvy marble countertop.
The master bedroom’s daring wall color is softened with plush textiles, including the velvet-upholstered bed frame, knubby white bedding, and perfectly puddled curtains.
Want to try your hand with this hot color trend? We’ve got even more inspiring ways to use blue paint and decor without getting it wrong!
Decorator Rebecca Hawkins designed this contemporary blue and white bathroom filled with bold pattern and striking contrasts. Playful modern style infuses the room with a loopy wall covering.
The custom vanity finds its color cues from the wallpaper (Blue Note by Benjamin Moore, lacquer finish).
Mark Kennamer's Smith Lake home shows that just a touch of blue can really add interest and make a small room come alive. Rug sourced through Hiltz.
Interior designer Ware Porter shows off a mix of comfortable upholstery, fine antiques, and surprise accents. Rich cobalt-velvet club chairs cozy up to a traditional pleated pouf. Ware likes taking something classic and shaking it up a little with fabrics and finishes.
