BLUES TO LOVE
Explore a wide range of options for blue in your home with Resene
Fregal to dusky, the colour blue has many attractive shades; it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t find at least one of these appealing.
But some people find blue a tricky colour to work with, calling it cold and placing it into the too-hard basket. The good news is that with so many options to choose from, a little exploration means it’s a nobrainer to find a blue that works for your space.
The most successful blue paint schemes are tones with a slight grey edge, Resene colour expert Amy Watkins says. “It helps to prevent the colour from going too baby blue so that it keeps the colour fresh without competing with other colours in the space.”
Some people feel blue is a no-go zone for rooms lacking in natural warmth and light. But there is good news. Amy says that for an interior that needs a warm effect from colour it pays to choose blues with the right undertones.
“Blues that have a slight purple edge to them help to warm up the blue undertones, such as with Resene Breathless or Resene Link Water. These are ideal when paired with a warm white like Resene Alabaster, Resene Quarter Rice Cake or Resene Half Bianca.”
This certainly applies to south-facing, cool rooms within a home, where the natural light can be lacking. “In this instance, you are best to go light, with a blue that has a slight purple edge to it, to prevent the room from becoming too cold,” Amy says.
“I would recommend looking at Resene Half Breathless, Resene Designer White or Resene Zircon. Pairing these with a warm white will also help to prevent the space from becoming too cold and dark.”
In warm, north-facing rooms that have plenty of natural sunlight, a cool blue can provide the perfect counterpoint to the light. If you’re after a cool effect with blue, Amy suggests opting for blues that have a clean undertone or have a grey edge to them.
“Once they have a purple edge to it, that’s when they start to warm up,” Amy says that blues that create this effect are Resene Quarter Frozen, Resene Half Spindle or Resene Tranquil. The ideal partners, she says, for these cool blues are cool whites like Resene Eighth Black White or Resene Poured Milk.
For those who have always wanted to include dark-blue shades but feel they are too heavy and cold, don’t close the door on your preferred choice just yet. It may feel like a big gamble bringing this intense blue into your home, but there are ways to make it sing beautifully. Taking a chance on this rich shade will pay off — think the dark turquoise of Resene Guru or the deep grey of Resene Cello.
“They are heavy colours, but there are ways to soften the dark blue shades like pairing the dark blues with a warm white like Resene Alabaster or Resene Bianca for the trims or contrasting with your soft furnishings,” Amy says. “So, bring in the warm palette with brown and terracotta undertones.”
Greens, yellows and turquoise bring a sense of brightness to dark blue interiors, especially when paired with a touch of white. Embrace the almost edible accent colours that work so well here, such as caramels and mustards. Their warmth and