10 Ways to Use Pale Blue for an Airy and Elegant Effect

Silvery blue has an instantly soothing impact on any space, and it’s not just for bedrooms—use it to create a serene atmosphere in any room. Mixed with washed woods and natural textures the look is fresh, modern and effortlessly cool.

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July 19, 2016

By: Amanda Lecky

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©Sarah Dorio Photography

Photo By: HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams

Photo By: Photography by Dan Cutrona. Desi, CKD, Roomscapes, Inc., roomscapesinc.com.

Photo By: Design by Jocelyn Chiappone, Digs Design Company, digsdesignco.com. Photography by, www.natrea.com

Photo By: Anice Hoachlander

Photo By: Design by Melissa Hill and Sara , Hartley and Hill Design, hartleyandhilldesign.com. Photog

Photo By: Design by Martha OâHara, Martha OâHara Interiors, oharainteriors.com

Sleeping Beauty

Want to create a soothing setting that’s just right for relaxing? Paint your bedroom walls the softest shade of blue, like this gorgeous hue from Sherwin-Williams, SW 7057, Silver Strand. Add layers of natural linens and white-washed woods for a sophisticated Scandinavian effect and finish the composition with a focal-point light fixture.

From: Sherwin-Williams®

Fine Dining Room

As seen on HGTV’s Fixer Upper, Chip and Joanna Gaines gave this light-filled dining area new life with a metal-topped table and vintage chairs. Though the overall color palette is neutral—soft gray walls contrast with the warm wood floors—the spa-blue paint on the chairs adds an unexpected dose of color and welcome splash of personality.

From: Chip Gaines

Get the Blues

In this sunny living room, baby blue acts as a neutral. The designer took a monochromatic approach to the space, using pale blue on the walls and upholstery and a slightly deeper shade on the woodwork and accessories. Reflective surfaces—the large paned mirror, glass, a brass tray—natural fibers in taupe, and plenty of white round out the lighter-than-air effect.

Serenity Now

Silvery blue is so synonymous with soothing and pampering that it’s often referred to as “spa blue”—making it a natural choice for a luxurious bathroom. Here, Sherwin-Williams SW 7621, Silvermist, sets the tone for a watery retreat. White, gray, and taupe accents keep the look cool and calming.

Elegant Option

If you love the look of gray walls but want something a bit less expected, pale, grayish blue is a timeless choice. It works with any style decor, and is just right for transitional spaces like this inviting breakfast room, where it blends beautifully with white, cream, wood, and taupe—and stainless steel, too.

Stylish Storage

To link an open-plan kitchen to the adjacent living area, designer Jessica Snyder created a custom hutch and wet bar. The beautiful blue finish and rich travertine marble top gives it a look that’s elegant enough for entertaining, while hidden storage, a wine refrigerator and a beverage fridge make it as practical as it is pretty.

Sitting Pretty

In this living room, designer Jocelyn Chiappone chose a mix of blues and creams to set a serene and sophisticated ambiance. The inviting color on the walls is Farrow & Ball’s “Borrowed Light." A lacquered coffee table and geometric carpet provide contemporary accents while modern prints on the pillows add a needed punch. “We kept the furnishings light in beiges and creams. The blues take center stage and create a restful yet chic living room,” says Chiappone.

Cottage Appeal

Finding the right focus for a custom-built home on Maryland’s Gibson Island was simple for Barnes Vanze Architects: It was all about the views. Accordingly, the architects incorporated ample glazing into every space and used half walls to divide rooms without obstructing sightlines to the water. Using a soft blue throughout was perhaps a natural choice given the waterfront site; plenty of cream, white and natural linen shades keeps the overall look light and bright.

Fresh Start

“This kitchen and mudroom were designed for a busy active family longing for order and a central place to gather,” say designers Melissa Hill and Sara Hartley of Hartley and Hill design. “The original kitchen was very dark so wanted to take advantage of the natural light in their large kitchen window by introducing a neutral hue of blue-based gray.” Soft blue accents, gray-veined marble, and white, taupe and brown accents complete the cool but inviting palette.

Cool Combination

For a master suite in a “calm, spa-like area of the home,” Martha O’Hara Interiors combined cool and warm tones to create a look that looks open and light but doesn’t feel too cold: Benjamin Moore’s Silver Lake 1598 on the walls and White Dove OC-17 on the ceiling and trim. “We stay away from stark whites for the accents so the room stays at a visually comfortable temperature, instead using different tones of cream and off-white,” say the designers.

HGTV Urban Oasis 2016 Behind the Design