Thursday’s Inspiration ~ Blue is the Colour

I’ve been asked to expand on my previous post about how to achieve a great look in blue.  Blue is once again the hue of the moment (although, when does it ever really go out of fashion?!)

From the runway to the home, blue is having yet another renaissance.  Giorgio Armani shows off with different shades of cool blues and playing with silk in the S/S12 Fashion Week.

Speaking of renaissances, you can see how the popularity of the colour blue was prevalent even during the Renaissance, when the pigment derived from the mineral lapis lazuli was so prized that it was used to paint the sacred robes of the Madonna.

Anyway, I digress. Using Giorgio as a springboard for inspiration, here are some key elements of putting a colour scheme together.

1. For nautical, denim and blue fabrics go to Ralph Lauren Home, Elanbach, and Sanderson
2. For silks in a variety of blues, go to Fox Linton
3.  For  traditional ikats and matching trims, go to Turnell & Gigon,
4.  and 5. Hand glazed tiles from Fired Earth
6. Oyster Slate Split Face Split Mosiac from Topps Tiles
7. Paint palette – various {via Elle Decor}.  Another excellent colour to add is ‘All White’ by Farrow & Ball

1. Blue and White Amari Vase from Vaughan
2.  William Yeoward Piers Court Navy cushion from Designers Guild
3. Twisted tumblers and wine glasses from OKA
4. Johnson Brothers Blue Denmark Plate from John Lewis
5. Square Blue and White Vase from Vaughan 

The key is to mix as much as possible! What I mean is mix the patterns and prints, but be careful of mixing shades of blue that could clash. There is a difference between colour and tone ~ colour is blue, tone is navy. You wouldn’t mix a turquoise tone with a navy tone unless you were intentionally clashing up the colours, which is best left to bright and bold to make a statement.

Blue is of course best contrasted with white, so pick a tone you like, layer it with pattern, texture and sizes and you’ll be on to a winner.

 What is your favourite blue?