Top Designers Reveal Their Favorite Blue Paints (via Elle Decor)

We loved this article from Elle Decor…many are are on our “go to” lists! We took a few of our favorites and added our own touches to see how they could be used in your home. To read the full article, click here! As Elle Decor notes, “Blue is a go-to color for top interior designers for good reasons. It’s versatile enough to work in just about any room, and the range of shade options, whether it’s a misty gray or a lagoon blue-green, are endless.”

We have used many of favorites in our own designs!

HALE NAVY, BENJAMIN MOORE

It’s a deep blue with a dramatic undertone that is lovely in a dining room or study. The deepness of the hue creates a stunning effect when paired with a cream white armoire or painted as a backdrop to a set of built-ins. Here the Currey and Co. chandelier brings out the reds in the Ralph Lauren plaid pillows. The reds create a bold color pop against the deep blue. And as Nancy Mayerfield indicates, “[this versatile color] is easily used in a boy's bedroom as it is in a dining room. It's sophisticated and playful all at once. It also works well with all accompanying colors.”

DELFT BLUE, FINE PAINTS OF EUROPE

"I used this color, on a project for the show The Doctors on NBC. It's my favorite hue of blue and I buy it in the UK. I had the wonderful artist Rubem Robierb use this color in his commissioned wallpaper he did for me." — Kari Whitman Another dark blue that is so versatile - while we see this being used a lot in upholstery accent colors, we could also envision a classic furniture piece being painted in this moody color. Pairing it with a Ralph Lauren lantern by Visual Comfort would finish off the look!

DRAWING ROOM BLUE, FARROW AND BALL

Drawing Room Blue is another favorite, especially in a room with a Chinoiserie style. Though it appears as a dark color, the brightness within is stunning. It evokes the pigment of cobalt, which is unexpected yet timeless. It is a beautiful backdrop to Schumacher’s Huntington Gardens fabric (think roman shades!) and pairs magnificently with Visual Comfort’s Pagoda Lantern, perhaps hung over a kitchen island, such a great look. We can’t wait to show off a current kitchen project which incorporates all of these elements! Add wood textures and Chinoiserie artwork to finish the room nicely!

Grant K. Gibson feels that "this is the perfect navy. It allows for accents such as oranges, greens, yellows and tans for a beautiful, enveloping cocoon. It is thought that dark colors make a space seem smaller, but with this the opposite is true: They make the walls recess. It's a more dramatic alternative to gray."

HAGUE BLUE, FARROW AND BALL

Hague Blue is yet another deep finish that can be paired with a contrasting warm white to give it a classic touch. When customers first view it, it seems a bit dark and brooding- and they question, “Isn’t that black?” Our answer - though it is not black, it is admittedly moody while also rich and sophisticated. Of course it’s not for the faint of heart, but we love when clients are willing to trust us and give it a go! Pairing it with a mustard velvet is a surefire way to add a bit of drama and glam!

We love J. Randall Powers’ description: "It's like staring into the ocean from the deck of a yacht at dusk."

— Not into the dark, dramatic blues? That’s ok! We love lighter shades as well! —

WINDY SKY, BENJAMIN MOORE

"A pale blue such as Benjamin Moore’s Windy Sky can almost serve as a neutral. It’s a cool-toned shade with enough color to make a subtle statement, but not so much that it overpowers the space. A pale blue like this offers a sense of serenity and calm and pairs well with so many other colors." — Anne Hepfer We couldn’t agree more about Windy Sky being substituted for a neutral color - we love the idea of using this neutral blue tone in a kitchen. Not convinced to use it on such a large scale? That’s ok - it would also be a beautiful color on a bathroom vanity to create a serene powder room! Pairing it with brass or gold colors creates an elevated and elegant feel. We love it with the Visual Comfort Darlana Fixture in this kitchen!

LULUWORTH BLUE, FARROW & BALL

“I love using Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue. I chose it recently for a beach house overlooking the ocean. It has a hint of sea green in it and it's the perfect bedroom color for a coastal property. It's not too cool, and it's beautifully serene and peaceful.” — Katharine Pooley We agree with her assessment that this color is reminiscent of the ocean. What a great color to use in our Cape Cod inspired homes. Add in a classic Camille Sconce by Visual Comfort and the pale pinks and golds of the ocean’s seashells, and you’ve got a home run!

Check out the entire article by Elle Decor for a full range of colors! We’d love to hear your favorite blues in the comments below. And keep following us for more decor tips and information.

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