UK
Blue is the hue that keeps on giving. It provided a welcome colour interval in the midst of the uni-tonal grey palette (which we still love), and was also grown-up enough that we felt confident using it in our homes! From shades of petrol and navy, to ‘almost black’ midnight blues, this colour family is a truly versatile option for creating a modern yet welcoming scheme in the home. We love the colour so much that we decided to introduce an Oxford Blue finish to our latest designer flooring collection, Dovetail. Read on to see how you can incorporate the trend into your interiors for maximum effect!
Kitchen Cabinetry
Dark painted kitchen cabinetry is everywhere at the moment. Understandably, homeowners are cautious about making bold colour choices when it comes to big-ticket items such as kitchens and bathrooms; with ever-changing trends and practicality at the forefront of many buying decisions, it seems sensible to “settle” for muted tones that transition through the years. However, this stunning kitchen from Blakes London proves that you can create a timeless look using blue as the primary colour in your cabinetry scheme. Teamed with classic shaker door fronts, accents of rustic wood and crisp white surfaces, this seemingly bold shade becomes instantly relaxed, blending seamlessly into its surroundings without overpowering the space.
Paint
Walls are the perfect canvas for showcasing blue in its best light. Not only a quick-and-easy update, but paint can also dramatically change the aesthetics of a room. This elegant shade of petrol/denim is called Blue Blood from Paint & Paper Library and is the perfect mid-tone blue for large expanses of the wall; just enough of colour pop to make an impact, but pared back enough that it doesn’t distract from the space. We really like the idea of painting your doors, architraves and skirting in the same colour. This look can serve to make rooms seem bigger and ceilings higher, but ensure that the flooring is enough of a contrast to the walls so that you don’t lose the structure of your scheme. Why not try our block colour vinyl tiles in Latte White or for a real statement, the large-scale patterns of our Neisha Crosland range?
Flooring
A key consideration for any interior space, flooring provides a horizontal canvas that ties the rest of the room’s scheme together. Not only must it be durable and hardwearing, especially for those high-footfall areas such as kitchens and hallways, it needs to appeal visually AND cater to changing trends. Blue flooring is a great colour choice for both functional and entertaining spaces. Our NEW Dovetail luxury vinyl tile comes in a rich Oxford Blue colour, which has been specifically curated by designer, Neisha Crosland to work with a breadth of design schemes. The contrast between the blue background and the white diamond pattern makes a real impact and harmonises just as easily with neutral cabinetry as it does with the deep blue island and cupboards shown here.
Woodwork
If going all out with blue across your walls is a bit too much, then why not focus your colour efforts on your home’s woodwork. We’re talking doors, skirting, staircases and any other architectural accents you can get your hands on; painting the “bones” of your room in a deep blue will essentially frame the space, and help to create defined zones. The trick with this look is to ensure that the feature colour stands out, so keep your walls pale. A great example is this amazing family home in south-west London, where the homeowners have created drama through the use of painted wood accents without losing the natural light and period charm of the space. This paint colour is technically black, but its inky undertones come through beautifully when the light hits.
Images: Living etc, Blakes London, Paint and Paper Library, Harvey Maria.
