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Features

Inky blue hues make exciting home decorators

DURAVIT VIA ASSOCIATED PRESS

Duravit’s Starck 1 barrel vanity and is now available in an inky blue. The color and unique shape make it a standout piece in bathrooms of any size.

In fashion, it’s replaced black as the new dress-up color. And it’s riding a wave of popularity into home decor, too. What’s the buzz about?

The color blue.

And while all blues, from baby to sky, are popular, it’s the deep, inky ones that are exciting home decorators.

“Navy is one shade with so many ways to implement it, from accessories to large-scale furniture,” says Nina Magon of Contour Interior Design in Houston. “It can work within traditional or modern design aesthetics. It’s a favorite of mine, because it evokes a serene and calming emotion while also evoking a sense of luxury and opulence.”

Dark blues have become popular in the kitchen, too.

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in deep, moody blues,” says Houzz.com editor Mitchell Parker. “It’s usually used on an island or base cabinets with white uppers for a two-tone look, but the most popular kitchen photo uploaded to the Houzz site in the past three months featured all-blue cabinets.”

Benjamin Moore’s color marketing director, Andrea Magno, says deep blues complement many styles or design goals, “modern to nautical, or sophisticated and mysterious.

“Homeowners have more access to design ideas than ever, triggering greater confidence levels when it comes to selecting color — especially darker colors, which used to be a daring endeavor,” she says. “Dark blue has always been a classic, but today we’re seeing an increase in using this color for a variety of surfaces.”

Magno says deep blue used on walls and millwork has a dramatic effect, and works well as an accent, too.

“It pairs well with many colors, from soft yellow to deep teal, or even red, and it may be a softer option for cabinets, doors and walls than black,” she says.

Kohler is introducing Shadows, a collection of enameled, cast-iron kitchen and bath products that includes a rich, saturated Indigo Blue, celebrating the natural dye in a new way.

You might put the color in the vanity: Signature Hardware’s Robertson console vanity comes in both single and double sink versions. Duravit’s Starck 1 Barrel vanity is also available in dark blue, and the unusual shape makes it a standout option.

At Pottery Barn, you’ll find the Irving armchair in an indigo blue leather. And at Arteriors, the Warby drum ottoman perches on Deco-inspired brass legs, all dressed up in blue velvet.

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