The room in our feature photograph boasts cool shades of blue that are both appealing and contemporary. Blue, in its many ranges of strengths and hues, is still a popular colour choice for the decor. From dark, casual denim blue to light, icy blue the range of decor-style options is vast and varied with this fashionable colour.
The Dulux paint colours used in our feature room compliment the modern style of the space. The sharp, architectural lines of the living room/dining room area are graphic and linear. The use of pale blue on the main wall makes the artwork and furnishings stand out. This shade of blue is lively, crisp and luminescent. Instead of trying to camouflage the support beam, which stands in the centre of the room, the homeowner chose to highlight it with a coat of vibrant, royal blue paint, making it an architectural feature. This further enhances the strong linear qualities of this appealing living space.
Inspiration comes in many forms
The addition of the print over the dark-blue sofa further supports the contemporary theme of the decor. The modern print features graphic, vertical lines in colours that bring the entire palette together. This piece of artwork may very well have been the inspiration for the colour palette for the entire living area. This is a good thing to make note of if you're looking for style and colour ideas for your own home. Start with an item that really captures your eye. It might be a great painting, piece of fabric or other inspirational item that you can use as a starting point. Then, carry the colours, patterns and style of your chosen item around the room.
Warming it up
Some people find certain shades of blue too cold. To warm things up a bit, you can add texture and warm-toned wooden accents and furniture to the space to keep it from feeling too bleak. The light wooden dining set in our feature room, for instance, adds a warm, rustic element to this cool, modern space. The earthy accessories in the white bookshelf in the background boast soft, round shapes and subdued colours, which also add a warming element to the rather austere bookshelf.
The expansive window ledge could easily have been tiled to match the flooring, however, the homeowner opted for a rough-hewn slab of wood. This large area of warm, textural wood definitely adds visceral warmth to the room.
The grey tile flooring keeps things light and airy in this small space and also contains a subtle pattern to the entire room, which keeps it from feeling too stark. The floor has a dull finish that provides muted softness, which is a much better choice than a high-gloss tile would be in this setting. The nubby area rug also helps to make this space feel a little cosier.
It's all about balance
Soft touches, such as a fabric-covered sofa and chair, versus say, a set covered in leather, add lots of visual and textural warmth to our feature room. The dull finish of the fabric on the sofa and chair also balances the sleek, shiny chrome details on the set. Although the coffee table is modern and shiny, the clay plate sitting on it is muted and earthy. Even the dry finish on the blue paint, both on the wall and on the support beam, is a better option than a satin or glossy paint finish in this particular setting. The slight curve in the dining chairs also adds softness to help balance the sharp angles and lines found in the rest of the room. Though it may be hard to see from this photograph, the ceiling has a rough, plaster finish which is textural and dull, which adds a rustic element to this slick decor. The inclusion of natural fauna, set in clear vases, also adds a touch of nature that is always a warming element. All of these small choices help balance and warm up the more austere features of the space.
There's something to be said for a clutter-free, minimalist decor. Each item in the room has visual "breathing space," which allows the eye to appreciate each item individually, without visual distraction. One can enjoy the individual decorative qualities of the stylish grey chair, the modernist coffee table and each piece of pottery completely.
Even the lack of a window treatment is perfect in this particular space. The flood of natural light allows the paint colour to really resonate. A sleek blind or shade could easily work if privacy is an issue in your home.
Cool blue can be very attractive. Just keep the balance so that your decor is both attractive and comfortable.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
