Blue has made a strong comeback this year and not just any old blues. We are talking mysterious, sultry and evocative shades of blue. The night sky is the key focus with indigo, midnight blue, navy, smokey blue and bright blue. It's a moody look, restrained, but with a brooding drama - like a thunderstorm waiting to happen.
You can take this look in a number of different directions. Either by combining dark walls with dark floors and accessories for a powerful but controlled style, or by creating different layers of colours with throws, cushions, rugs and curtains.
If you feel that an entire room wrapped in mysterious blue is too overpowering, try painting a single wall in deep blue and keeping the remaining walls neutral or white for extra contrast. You can also introduce metallics such as gold and copper - their luminosity will make the blue seem all the more intense.
Rich blue walls look particularly sophisticated when offset by white or off-white furniture. Try painting the ceiling and mantelpiece white and choose a geometric design carpet in blue and cream.
Strong contrasting colours will ensure that blue walls or upholstery really stand out. So go for jewel like colours, such as ruby, jade and cobalt. They will practically glow in the dark and will create a rich inviting feeling of warmth.
Texture plays an important part in holding this look together. Velvet upholstery and shimmery silk cushions will help lift a scheme and will provide vital highlighted areas.
If you really cannot face the depths of night, then the alternative is to keep the walls and background white or neutral and to paint furniture and accessories such as dado rails, cabinets and picture or mirror frames in blue.
Metallics contrast superbly with blue. So a strategically positioned gold ornament, placed against a midnight blue backdrop in a hallway for example is a wonderful way to set the scene for visitors. The same goes for pieces of furniture, so for example a single stunning chaise longue upholstered in a striking blue velvet will look amazing and provide a brilliant anchor point.
Another way to break up plain walls is with panelling or with bookshelves. Floor to ceiling shelves and cupboards will look particularly elegant.
Mixing different shades of blue and complementary green tones works brilliantly. Try a dark shade on the walls and then progressively lighter tones for upholstery, cushions, curtains and accessories.
Images:
1. Two darkly dramatic paintings evoking turbulent skies provide the central focus in this living room with sofa and accessories picking up on the stormy hues, paintings from www.urbanroad.com.au
2. Mylands Mayfair Dark No 218, from £22 for one litre of Marble Matt Emulsion.
3. Mylands Bond Street No 2, from £22 for one litre of Marble Matt Emulsion
4. Intense blue walls and sharply contrasting white paintwork are echoed by a striking herringbone patterned blue and white rug, Jennifer Manners Modern Herringbone rug £3,089,
This striking blue velvet Chesterfield sofa makes an eye-catching statement with its elegant design and richly textured upholstery, £3,881 (plus 17 metres of fabric), from Rume