Last Spring was filled with 50 Shades of Grey, this Spring, a shade of blue — Monaco Blue. The color experts at Pantone have announced the Monaco Blue as the official color of Spring 2013. Trending in wardrobes, decor, and accessories, Monaco Blue is between a bright cobalt and rich sapphire blue. From the floor up, here are six ways to bring this vibrant shade into your space.
In the heat of the 2012 presidential campaign, how is your decor affecting your vote? If your home rocks red or you use bold blues to decorate, these pieces may sway your vote one way or the other. With graphic prints, bright accents, and a variety of textures, no need to side with a color. Just accent with a little election spirit come Nov. 6!
I'm thinking about Spring vacations to tropical spots like Tulum and French Polynesia at the moment, and the gorgeous color of the ocean is forefront in my mind during these daydreams. Even if I can't book a flight today, I can channel those oceanic blues with a variety of gorgeous seating options.
I'd love to add Hans Wegner's classic and quirky Papa Bear Chair and Ottoman ($14,000, bottom row, left) to my home. An absolute classic of midcentury modern design, it's the type of iconic chair that my husband would actually enjoy sitting in — which recommends it all the more. This particular chair comes with the original blue fabric upholstery, which is in excellent vintage condition.
For a quick and cheap blue seating pick-me-up, choose the CB2 Knitted Pool Pouf, middle row, right) ($80). The chunky sweater knit cotton weave will add fun texture to your living room or bedroom, while the vivid turquoise shade will certainly bring a major pop of color.
In my opinion, the perfect entry bench is none other than the Anthropologie Windsor Love Seat ($1,500, middle row, center). Designed in 1956 by Ercol, it features a cool blue ombre-lacquered seat. I also love that it uses a water-based, eco-friendlier lacquer to coat its solid beech and elm exterior.
Have your eye on another blue seating option? Just click on it to get shopping!
Forget brown, black, white, or beige — when it comes to neutral colors, give me the deepest, darkest blue. From midnight blues to indigos and deep navy, this shade has so much life to it and infinite variety. Pair it with Winter white for a cool, elegant look, or mix it with rich chocolate browns for a warmer, cozier feel. I'd also love to see it paired with a hot pink, fuchsia, or electric yellow. However you choose your color mix, here are some great midnight-blue pieces to get you started.
One of my favorite pieces from Anthropologie is the Henri Dining Chair ($170, top row, right). Made in Italy, this chair would look amazing with a contrasting cushion — I'm thinking Joel Dewberry's Heirloom home decor fabric collection in dandelion would look particularly smashing.
I have to admit I'm completely lusting over the Milo Baughman Velvet Sofa ($14,000, second row, right). This incredible 1970s-era sofa is built on a wrap-around chrome-plated steel frame and has been newly reupholstered in a decadent blue/gray velvet. It's the ultimate elegant lounger.
For a lighter touch of this versatile shade, add a set of Vintage Navy Blue Glassware ($8, third row, middle) to your collection. Use them for entertaining or everyday service; each piece is dyed in a beautiful navy-blue color.
Have your eye on another piece? Click on it to find out more!
I'm excited to present a post from one of my favorite sites, Stylelist Home, from guest writer Kelly Wearstler!
One of the most fascinating things I've realized as a designer is the way so many disciplines can inspire different mediums of art and expression. Beautiful hardware from a piece of furniture can be inspiration for a bracelet or ring, a rug pattern can translate to a sweater design, or my boys' art work can inspire the print of a t-shirt. There are endless ways to look at the things that surround you and see the ways they can influence you.
Keep reading to hear what Kelly Wearstler has to say about her blue influences.
I'm thinking about painting my kitchen blue — specifically a light, turquoise/teal blue to coordinate with my Caribbean Le Creuset cookware. My kitchen, hallway, bedroom, and bathroom are all neutral colors right now, and I've been looking to bring more color to the walls somewhere. Of course, the kitchen is the most difficult place, as it requires lots of painting off cabinets and getting into nooks behind appliances. But once I have my mind set on something, I have trouble turning back.
Before I bite the bullet and pick a random swatch at the paint store — something I've done many times before — I thought I'd take a look at the way some other blue kitchens were designed. From oceanic floors to sky-like tiles, there are plenty of ideas in here for you and I to tool around with.
As you've no doubt heard, Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement today. Posing for an official photo session in the State Rooms of London's St. James's Palace, Kate wore a figure-flattering deep blue dress that matched the shade of her amazing engagement ring — an 18-carat sapphire and diamond ring that was Princess Diana's engagement ring. Inspired by Kate's beautiful blues, I took a look at some home decor pieces that reflected the shade Kate was wearing. My favorite piece is definitely the Louisa Settee ($2,500). To double up on the blues in the settee, I'd paper a wall with the Amy Butler Sun and Moon Wallpaper ($85). To shop the look, just click on each image. And if you're curious about Kate and William's history, check out these surprising facts about the couple!
I'm excited to present a story from one of my favorite sites, ShelterPop!
Named for the French artist obsessed with its pure qualities, Yves Klein Blue has been inspiring designers for decades.
There has to be something very special about a color if it inspires an artist to create an entire series of work around it. Such was the case with French artist Yves Klein who did exactly that with the eponymous color he created — Yves Klein Blue, also known as International Klein blue.
In the late 1950s he embarked on a series of monochromatic works and performances in which naked models were painted in the color and then used to mark canvases with their bodies. The rich, lapis-lazuli toned blue was the works' central theme. According to Gabriel Riera, Director of Communications for the Smithsonian Institute — where the Hirshhorn Museum is having a major retrospective of Klein's work until September 12th — Klein saw more to this breathtaking color than just a pretty shade of blue.
"The blue canvases acted as a starting-off point or gateway to Klein's real artwork, which represented the idea of a pure, expansive void," he says. This all stemmed from a spiritual experience Klein once had at the beach with friends, where he was enchanted by the vastness of the ocean and sky. "In person, the large blue canvases vibrate and the pure color almost jumps off the painting," says Riera. This unique effect is a result of the way this color is created. Ultramarine blue pigment is placed — not mixed — into a liquid binder, causing it to stay suspended. Riera adds, "The physical properties make the color hard to reproduce."
But that hasn't stopped people from loving and using it. In face, several other interior designers and architects have been enchanted with the color — using it in their clients' homes, as well as their own. New York City-based interior designer Miles Redd remembers his first experience with Yves Klein Blue. "The first time I ever became aware of Yves Klein was at age 10. GQ had done a fashion story inspired by the parties Klein used to throw, where he would paint models in cobalt blue. Everyone was blue and dressed in tuxedos and gowns. The color and images really fascinated me and I became curious about the artist."
Easter eggs come in every color of the rainbow, but in nature, eggs come in a limited array of shades — the most lovely of which is probably robin's egg blue. This pale blue shade with hints of turquoise and seafoam green has made its way from birds' eggs to Tiffany & Co.'s iconic jewelry boxes, which incorporate a darker version of the blue. So in honor of the upcoming egg-centric Easter holiday, here are a dozen ways to decorate with this delicate blue hue.
I'm totally inspired by this Thanksgiving table setting from Martha Stewart. First of all, the gold pumpkins are utterly chic and a great way to update an overused seasonal décor item. Furthermore, the combination of this soft cerulean/turquoise color with the rich gold is simply beautiful and an elegant alternative to the warm browns and oranges you see on most Thanksgiving tables. Traditional Thanksgiving palettes never really appealed to me to begin with, so I'm weak in the knees over this. I tried to recreate this elegant setting and palette, and I think I've come up with something very glam, if I do say so myself. Just add gold pumpkins!
