A Color Study: Blue

You've heard it said a hundred time before..."Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue".  Usually it refers to items the bride wears or carries with her on her wedding day, but I think it also applies to great design.  In order to create a beautiful and layered space with visual depth, meaning, and a story, it's important to use old pieces, new pieces, "borrowed" pieces (or hand-me-downs), and I'd argue a blue piece or two.

pic from Wikipedia

Blue is a jack of all trades - it can be calming, soothing, and serene or bright, bold, and stimulating.  Blue consists of a wide range of shades, from navy to cobalt to turquoise to sky-blue.  Blue can be classic, traditional, or even modern depending on the hue.  Here are some beautiful executions of a deeply diverse color.

Blue is one of the most vivid colors on earth - we see it in nature everyday: the sky, bodies of water, flowers, animals, etc.  The gorgeous outdoor space below has a very blue pool, a blue fence, and a few other blue accents that made it look so fresh and inviting:

pic from DHome

Blue bookshelves in an otherwise neutral space really pack a punch:

pic from Beautiful Places and Spaces

Several blues blend beautifully (some nice alliteration there...) to create a welcoming entry space:

pic from Splendid Willow

Hello Turquoise!  Few colors can lift the mood as much as a bright splash of turquoise.  This kitchen is eclectic and super cool - sure to inspire any cook:

pic from DHome

A navy jewel-box of a kitchen, this space has the most gorgeous ceiling-height cabinets I've seen in a really long time:

pic from Dorsey Miller

Just a few blue accents - a gingham valance and window seat cushions - provide the perfect dose of blue to a clean Swedish-style space:

pic from Splendid Willow

The perfect accent wall color for a clean-lined, contemporary space:

pic from Laura Winslow Photography

Such a calming bedroom with board and batten walls, whimsical surf print, mixed navy blue linens, and a touch of red:

pic from Coastal Living

Blue and orange are gorgeous together - navy and tangerine in this case - because they're complementary (a.k.a. opposite) colors. Lacquered walls are a trend on the rise - it's kinda like car paint on your walls.  I think it's crazy-cool and would make your walls very child-proof - minus the finger prints, I guess...

pic from Bee of Design

These scalloped/fish-scale tiles are exquisite!  The turquoise shades beautifully accent the warm tones in the wood vanity and shelving unit:

pic from HGTV

This ombre bench from Anthropologie is expensive at $1,500!  But, the style could be easily replicated on your own with a Craig's List find and a little spray paint...

I love the WWII era "Keep Calm" posters, but I love this pillow (only $39) from Home Decorator's Collection even more because of its beautiful soft hooked-pillow texture that resembles crewel-work:

I purchased this Greek recipe book - Vefa's Kitchen ($33 at Amazon.com) - for the recipes but adore it's decorative cover just as much.  I've even spotted it in photos of professional decorators' homes:

Photography is my favorite type of art.  Here you see the island of Santorini basked in dusk's most beautiful blue light:

pic from Frommers

For a few parting fashion finds...

Some blue suede shoes pumps ($45 at DSW).  Surprisingly this cobalt shade can serve as a gorgeous neutral when paired with black, white, brown, or gray.

A cool summery nail polish, "Blagger" ($14) by Butter London, reminds me of a refreshing dive into a pool, the Caribbean, and those blue Icee pops from childhood:

Some outfit inspiration - blue and orange - is bright and fun!

pic from Polyvore

Have a wonderful week!