Which Blue Shades Offer the Most Luxurious Appearance for Your Walls: A Detailed List of 7 Hues to Enhance Your Home's Elegance
Blue, a hue that's synonymous with class, opulence, and a hint of melancholy, is one of the most beloved primary colors. Be it a clear sky on a sunny day, a serene shoreline, or a game of chance, blue in all its diverse shades is one of the most potent and evocative colors. Not to mention, it subtly induces a 'wealth' aesthetic, hidden amongst its many connotations.
So, which shade of blue reigns supreme when it comes to making our homes look lavish? Should you paint with navy blue, indigo, cobalt, or Prussian? Let's delve into the rich history of blue to find out.
The Luxurious Origin of Blue
There are numerous hues that can turn a house into an expensive-looking one, and blue is undeniably one of them. However, it might surprise you to learn that blue was not always welcomed with open arms, and was far from commonly used or understood in interior design trends as it is today. Its grand popularity owes its existence to centuries of social and cultural evolutions, feuds, and discoveries.
In the Palaeolithic period, blue, along with green and white, didn't exist. The color wheel was vastly different, Cave paintings were composed of reds, blacks, browns, and ochres, and the Romans considered blue barbaric. The Greeks held similar opinions. In Medieval times, blue was regarded as a warm color, with bodies of water depicted in green until the 15th century.
As society evolved, dyeing became possible using woad and later indigo. Painting in blue also began, but it came at a steep price prior to the invention of synthetic pigments that mimicked Lapis lazuli, a precious stone. It wasn't until the 12th century that the color blue truly began to gain momentum in society, taking on symbolic value. Blue was revered during the Renaissance period, appearing in frescoes and depicting grand elements like the Virgin Mary's robes. Royal figures, such as the King of France, also granted blue pride of place on their coat of arms, followed by the west, and suddenly, blue became noble.
"The Ancient Egyptians first introduced the concept of blue in jewelry and makeup," explains Paula Taylor, a color expert at Graham & Brown. "Skip ahead to the Renaissance period, and ultramarine blues became popular with artists, as the cost of Lapis lazuli pigments made them less accessible. Deeper blues truly took off during the industrial revolution when pigments became more accessible, first in textiles and then in home design trends."
From indigo, dating as far back as 2400 BC, when it was utilized in ancient Egypt to dye mummy cloths and Tutankhamun's garments, to the brighter, artificially created Prussian blue, concocted in the early 18th century, blue has always managed to find its way into our lives, but that raises an interesting question.
The Most Expensive-looking Blue for Home Decor
Michel Pastoureau, author of "Blue: The History of a Color", once stated, "For a color to be considered beautiful, and thus expensive and valuable, it must be luminous and lush." This sentiment rings true with interior designers today, who agree that the richest, most luxurious blues are the bold, pigmented, and unyielding ones, led by navy blue.
Navy blue is a versatile and sophisticated shade that boasts richness and elegance. It's also the favorite of many interior designers. As Hailey Widrig, founder of Art Partners Advisory puts it, "we're still in this period of 'old money aesthetic', minimalism; this trend, which is very modest."
Designers appreciate the depth and timelessness of navy blue. "Navy blue is a classic that never goes out of style and always feels elevated, whether it's in fashion or interiors," says interior designer Lauren Lerner. "It has an unfussy, reliable quality that shouldn't be overlooked."
Navy blue's enduring reputation and rise to popularity can be traced back to its origins. Black was once the color of the moment, but by the 1920s, navy blue had taken the fashion world by storm, a shift that began in the 19th century. Navy blue suits, uniforms, and, of course, Levi's "blue jeans" (dyed using indigo) cemented its place in our collective consciousness.
"Navy blue exudes seriousness, depth, and history, often linked to royalty and stately interiors," adds interior designer Lucinda Loya. "It anchors a space with timeless sophistication. It also creates contrast, as black would, which is a powerful statement in any space."
For a more impactful visual experience, take inspiration from Lucinda Loya's project above, a modern navy blue kitchen, which plays with a true, dark navy blue, and contrasts it with gold for an eye-catching, vintage appeal.
- In various hues, blue has the potential to transform a simple house into an expensive-looking home within the realm of interior design.
- The acceptance and widespread use of blue in modern design trends are the result of centuries of social and cultural advancements, conflicts, and discoveries.
- During the Palaeolithic era, blue was nonexistent, with reds, blacks, browns, and ochres dominating cave paintings, and the Romans considering blue barbaric.
- The richness and luminosity of certain shades of blue, like navy blue, are valued for their evocative beauty, a sentiment shared among designers who appreciate the permanence and elegance of this deep hue.
- Blue's significance dates back to ancient Egypt, where it was used for jewelry and makeup, and later, during the Renaissance period, when ultramarine blues became popular with artists.
- The industrial revolution facilitated the widespread use of blue in textiles and home design trends, propelling it towards being noble in societal perception.
- Contemporary color expert Paula Taylor suggests that deeper blues truly gained traction during the industrial revolution, when pigments became more accessible and affordable.
- For a visually striking impact, consider emulating Lucinda Loya's modern navy blue kitchen design, which combines a true, dark navy blue with contrasting gold tones to create an eye-catching, vintage ambiance.
