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Sophie Robinson
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18 Nov 15

Colour Crush: Electric Blue

Blue has confirmed itself as a favourite with the trendsetters. From the deepest inkiest indigo to pulsating Ultra marine we’re seeing it everywhere in interiors right now. And I have to fess up and say I’m a huge fan. In its purest hue it instantly brings to mind the work of Yves Klein who began experimenting with the most amazing ultramarine pigments in the late 1950’s, later know as International Klein Blue or IKB. He rather saucily had models cover themselves in paint and roll around the canvas, as ‘living brushes’. I saw the original collection on a school trip to Cologne and my love affair with the colour has never faded. And I’m not alone- over half the population vote blue as their number one favourite colour.

 

Work by Yves Klein

Work by Yves Klein

 

The history bit

One of the reasons why I think this colour trend is so popular is because- well..its nothing new! Blue has been a popular decorating scheme for yonks. Its hard to imagine a time when blue was not that commonly available. David Mottershead, MD of Little Greene comments: “Blue is the richest of colours, and historically the most expensive to produce. In art, blue paint was reserved for depicting royalty, dignitaries and religious figures, and still to this day, holds the same luxurious appeal and hypnotic allure. “ Aside from plant based dyes like Indigo and Woad the earliest true blue was made from lapis Lazuli, a semi-precious mineral. No surprise it was reserved for the wealthiest clients.

 

lapis-lazuli-rough

 

 

How to decorate with blue

So how to decorate your walls with bright blue? It’s a colour that makes people understandably nervous with the fear that its just too chilling for our Northern climes. Ultramarine looks dazzling in Greece or the Cote d’Azur, but can it sizzle to the same effect in a semi in Solihull? I think that’s why we’ve been fixated with Duck Egg blue for so long- the paler more green tones help create a warmer feel. But ‘duck egg blue’ is so last decade darling! Lets get our heads around decorating with the new Blue hues in town.

Room designed by Marie Nichols www.marienichols.co.uk

Room designed by Marie Nichols www.marienichols.co.uk

I think one of the most charming colour combinations is blue and white. It’s a total classic, think delft tiles, Chinese ‘willow’ patterns and even jolly striped Cornish ware. But latterly designers have been using this classic colourway to produce modern geometric prints.

Design by Sophie Robinson. Image from housetohome.co.uk

Design by Sophie Robinson. Image from housetohome.co.uk

 

All blues work really well with natural hues and materials. If you’re worried that your blue scheme will feel chilly, think about warming it up with some slubby natural linens, stone, leather and timber in favour of too much stark white, which only adds to the chill factor.

 

Blue and cream living room

Image from House and Garden. Photograph by Nick Pope.

 

Complimentary colours to blue

I think blue gets a real perk by teamed up with its complimentary colours, gold, yellow or orange. Think of some gilt frames on a deep blue walls, or a couple of yellow cushions and accessories in a blue and white scheme. My advice is to only add a wink of the accent colour- that way you keep the look sophisticated rather than playschool.

Dining room sarah Moore The Great Interior Design Challenge Farrow and Ball

This room designed by Sarah Moore for The Great Interior Design Challenge features walls painted in Dining Room blue by Farrow and Ball

 

Patterns in blue

Blue lends itself to bold patterns very well. Typically what springs to mind is blue and white ikats, nautical stripes or a striking modern geometric. When decorating with a bold and saturated hue I think it’s a good idea to pick patterns that can muscle up to it.

Blue and white bedroom

Image from housetohome.co.uk

 

Using blue as an accent colour

Due to its distancing qualities, blue make s a great back drop, It’s a cool colour as a feature wall, if you haven’t the gall to daub it on all four walls! It can also make a great accent in a neutral scheme, as the saturated colour is just so fabulously arresting. A sumptuous velvet blue sofa looks oh so luxurious in a pale white scheme for example, or consider a really large abstract canvas in International Klein Blue. You could paint one yourself using Ultra 264 by Little Greene.

Bright blue sofa

Image from House to home

 

The Science bit

Blue is what we call a cool colour, it recedes away from the eye making a room feel a litter larger than it really is. In it’s most vibrant form it’s the perfect wall colour for a sun filled room; it will enhance the brightness and richness of the colour. If you have a dark low light room I’d maybe consider a deeper navy that will look dramatic and cosseting highlighted by lamps and walls sconces.

blue and white bedroom

Bold blue positively vibrates in a sunny room, made all the more dazzling when coupled with bright white. Image from housetohome.co.uk

When we look at the psychological effects of blue on your mood, blue is a very restful colour and so great for rooms of quiet contemplation. Its the perfect choice for a place of work for example. It can also literally ‘give you the blues’ so avoid it as a wall colour if it affects you in this way. It famously suppresses the appetite which makes it a terrible choice for dining areas- and we rarely see it in used in kitchen designs- although if you do- it might be a great aid to nipping those fridge raids in the bud!

Blue home office

Image from housetohome.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

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comments

Carole on 20.11.15

Love the blues going on at the moment great article. My favourite is Royal or navy blue and purple with highlights of gold ! Fab

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 20.11.15

I don’t think any colour ‘sings’ like ultra marine- and I agree a touch of gold is the perfect partner. Glad you enjoyed the post x

Reply
Anna Hamill on 22.01.16

We went for it in our double reception rooms with Deep Space Blue from Little Greene Company, and absolutely love it. During the day it’s invigorating and vibrant; at night, moody and cosy. We’ve balanced things out with a lot of grey, white and rich warm browns (dark walnut and leathers). It’s definitely a trend I would encourage others to embrace.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 22.01.16

You sound like you’ve nailed it! You’re so right that there’s no need to be afraid, just balance the vibrant hue with some softer neutrals and you create a home full of soul

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

According to some recent research 24% of us look t According to some recent research 24% of us look to friends and family for design Inspiration, 21% to makeover tv shows and 18% to instagram. But while it’s great gathering ideas and opinions, ultimately creating a stylish home has to come from you if you are going to love the home you live in. The extraordinary Colour Psychology framework helps you unlock the colour palette that is perfect for you and gives you the superpower to create rooms that feel as good as they look. Suddenly other peoples opinions, trends, and influencers no longer hold sway. Creating a home is deeply personal, an exploration of what makes YOU happy. For me it’s all about the pattern, texture and plenty of intense colour. Tasteful grey interiors leave me feeling flat, I love the energy of a colour clash! If you want to understand your relationship with colour and how to design schemes that affect your emotions in a positive way, this is the last weekend to enrol in my online course, Colour Psychology for interiors. You can find the link to learn more up in my bio. It’s my most popular course to date and has transformed the way thousands of people feel about their interior spaces. 
Let me know what your happy colours are down in the comments below. 

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📷 @aluncallenderphoto styling @katemcphee #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #ihavethisthingwithcolour #myeclectichome #patternclash #maximalistdecor #colourcourse #mycolourfulinterior #punchyhome #cosyhome #countryliving #bedroom
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📷 @aluncallenderphoto 
CREDITS walls in lazuli by @zoffanyfw stair runner @roger_oates floor tiles @claybrookstudio door painted in rose ash @sanderson1860 

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To learn more about the autumn personality, hop on up to my bio and click the link to be taken to the blog. And you can sign up to my FREE webinar I’m hosting next Wednesday if you’d like to learn more about this powerful framework. 
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📷 @aluncallenderphoto Styling @katemcphee 

#colourpsychology #banthebeige #autumnpersonality #colourpsychologyforinteriors #kitchen #greenkitchen #countryhomesandinteriors #countrykitchen #ihavethisthingwithcolor #myeclectichome #maximalistdecor
Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology next Wednesday 25th at 7pm GMT 🤩 hop on up to the link in my bio @sophierobinsoninteriors to register.
My brilliant online course, Colour Psychology for Interiors, is open for enrolment this month, so if you fancy finding out a bit more about this utterly game changing framework I’d love to have you join. It’s SO MUCH more than ‘ red is energising’, ‘blue is calming’ stuff you’ve all heard before. This is a deep dive into discovering how colours work, how to harmonise them and discovering your own unique and authentic style. Only then can you create a home you live and one that supports you emotionally. I LOVE teaching this stuff because the feedback I get from students is mind blowing! Don’t take my word for it, sign up for the free webinar today! 😍 and if you’ve already done my course, please share in the comments below what you loved about it. 

#colourfulhome #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourlover #confidentcolour #confidentcolourscheming
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#colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourfulhome #colourlover #ihavethisthingwithcolor #spring #springbpersonality #colourfuldecorchallenge #homedecor #myeclecticmix #bathroom #bathroominspo
So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who o So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who opens her house this weekend to showcase her artwork in her home as part of Brightons artists open houses. She’s always been a creative whirlwind and keeps the joy of colour alive in her paintings inspired by the sea, and the local woodlands that surround her home in Brighton. For Sophie, colour gives her life, she’s the ultimate joy monger and I’m so blessed to have her as my side kick in life. If you get a chance today, pop round to heed for a bolt if the feel good vibes

#artistopenhouses #brighton #colourlover #banthebiege #ihavethisthingwithcolour
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