Moody Blues Work For Me
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the color blue. In my work studio, I have lots of bright colors set against a white, neutral background because it inspires me to mix in color according to my mood, removing those that may not be particularly rockin’ my world at the moment. Currently, I have lots of yellow, orange, red and pink in my studio but a few days ago a more moody mix of emeralds and indigos started to creep in.
Darker tones of blue on the bed paired with brighter ones throughout the room, like light blue walls, make moody blues less so, via: Anthropologie
I’m wondering if this is pointing me towards my eventual Autumn palette as I love warmer, richer hues in cooler months. Or perhaps this is a reflection of how I’m feeling lately — introspective, serious, thoughtful… And the weather has been so completely bonkers bouncing between summery sunny days to ones like today when only a blanket of gray covers the sky and the temps have gone from mid 70s to a murky and cool 40s. Bleh.
I had to put the candles on in my studio today to inspire me because I was ready to hit the garden shop in the morning for the plants and flowers for my balcony and now spring feels so very far away. Instead of caving in to this weather, I decided to round up some moody blues to inspire me so below it my virtual mood board which accurately fits my whole vibe at the moment. It seems a whole slew of artists, designers, decorators, stylists, cooks and photographers share my color fix at the moment, too. See for yourself…
If you only want a hint of blue, try slight additions to your home to try it on for size, via: 79 Ideas.
John Cullen captures blue in one single gorgeous moment.
honey houses shows how to make granny chic a bit more moody.
I love this pairing of emerald green with this gorgeous indigo blue sofa from Anthropologie.
Leslie Shewring always has the best mood boards showing her inspirational palette of the moment.
I’m a huge fan of gallery walls, especially set against deep colors, via: design is mine.
Chris Court & Sibella Court show us how to add some blue to a mostly white bathroom.
Julia Hoersch is a German photographer who really used the light to make this dining room feel very inviting in it’s pretty tones of blue, gray and violet.
I love another subtle hint of blue like those shown on this leather sofa via: Riazzoli.
Deep moody tones of green and blue always work for me, via: Lovely Sweet William.
Leslie Shewring pairs blues with a bit of green a tiny burst of red to add some energy to the mix.
Watercolor blue tones are a pretty addition to any room through paintings, porcelain… These vases are from West Elm.
Leslie Shewring again shows how to use blue with a tiny bit of red to add visual interest.
Chris Court & Sibella Court demonstrate a way to make ethnic prints and fabrics feel fresh and modern by sticking to a set palette, introducing beige for warmth and red for energy and adding a gorgeous accent wall.
Anthropologie is always on trend. This sofa is fun and a great way to introduce blue tones to a room.
I wonder if you did a vibe mood board today, what colors you would use? Care to share?
(images linked to their sources below each shown above.)
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March 29th, 2012 at 3:43pm
I don’t typically go for blues in my color scheme, although I do like a good teal! But I am really inspired by the saturated dark blue and deep teal walls!
Ashley {GirlyObsessions}´s last [type] ..Hottie Madness Finals! Ryan Gosling vs. Leonardo DiCaprio.
March 29th, 2012 at 3:46pm
blue bue blue …. all over the place… just got my IKEA Family live post up… about the new blue in my home LOL
desiree – vosgesparis´s last [type] ..Another perfect picture
March 29th, 2012 at 3:51pm
I’m guilty of loving all shades of blue all year round, can’t help myself! I blame my Mum and Grandmother for their gorgeous collections of blue and white crockery :-)
Absolutely love the galleried wall you’ve included, utterly stunning! The Anthro snapshots are also lovely – they’re on the button constantly!
Jem xXx
Jem´s last [type] ..Instagram . . . magnets?!
March 29th, 2012 at 3:52pm
I love blues (colours and music). I cannot think of another colour which can be both cool and warm, depending on the shade.
March 29th, 2012 at 4:00pm
LOVE seeing this, Holly… we’ve just booked our wedding, and our colour palette is going to be lots of gorgeous blues!
I guess I will certainly have the ‘something blue’ part licked, right?! ;) x
Abigail Percy@abigail*ryan´s last [type] ..Sunshine special!
March 29th, 2012 at 4:01pm
@Desiree – YOU have a color in your home? SHOCKING. I have to see this to believe it! :) :) wink
March 29th, 2012 at 4:04pm
love all the photos!! Pink!! I love pink always in the mood for pink!!!
Samira´s last [type] ..Shoes: Summer Wedges
March 29th, 2012 at 4:04pm
@Abigail – CONGRATS on your upcoming wedding – you must be over the moon! How exciting for you both!
March 29th, 2012 at 4:10pm
Aw, thanks Holly! Yes, we’re over the top excited… just 6 months away, too! We’re keeping it nice and small but very luxe (great venue lined up) so can’t wait! x
Abigail Percy@abigail*ryan´s last [type] ..Sunshine special!
March 29th, 2012 at 4:34pm
Oh love it!!! Talking about moody blue, did you see this collection that IKEA is releasing (at least in Scandinavia) for the Summer – it’s gorgeous!
March 29th, 2012 at 4:39pm
Oh lovely lovely. Drooling over that Anthro couch…
Megan´s last [type] ..3 for 1: Feathers
March 29th, 2012 at 6:16pm
Great spaces & love the use of various blue hues through out spaces in your post!
March 29th, 2012 at 9:15pm
I love this post. I have been trying to add more blue to my home recently, so this post was exactly the kind of inspiration I needed! Thanks Holly :)
March 29th, 2012 at 9:29pm
Thank you so much for posting this. I have never been big on blues, but I’ve been feeling a real hankering to do a new master bedroom in blues. So I am very eager for any inspiration to help me find my way with this new to me design color. Your post made me even more fond of the idea. P.S. I learned on Pinterest last night that apparently we both have an eye for a certain actor with the initials CT. Had to smile.
kalanicut´s last [type] ..My Dry Skin Remedy
March 29th, 2012 at 10:23pm
I have been so into blues lately, since considering how I want my new home to look. This helps so much! It’s always a little overwhelming when completely redoing a space, for me anyway. Thank you for sharing some pretty, as always :)
Alexis´s last [type] ..Just a tiny bit of assistance
March 30th, 2012 at 1:14am
I have been in a red kinda mood lately. Just pops of high gloss red to bring that extra pop. It is grey and cold over here, maybe this is a way to bring some much needed warmth. :-)
Fatou´s last [type] ..Fun & Easy Displays
March 30th, 2012 at 1:50am
I love this! It makes me want to run home and fix everything up in blue!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang´s last [type] ..1310 am Celebration {Songs Kate Sang Photography}
March 30th, 2012 at 2:52am
Lots of inspiring blue in those gorgeous photos, especially the sofa! Pale blue and red is the colour palette in our living room but right now I feel very inspired by black and white mixed with fuchsia!
Ruth´s last [type] ..Black and white spiced up with fuchsia -what a great mix!
March 30th, 2012 at 4:49am
Ah, I share your blue weather woes. It’s been so beautifully sunny and now so tragically cloudy and cold- a mean trick mother nature is playing :)
Nothing like some pretty pics to make all well again. My favs are 79 ideas and honey houses. xo
Desha´s last [type] ..Women. Peace. CONTACT.
March 30th, 2012 at 5:11am
I was never a huge fan of blue in my younger days, however I have found a new love for the colour too. You’ve inspired me to work on a mood/inspiration colour board today, thanks!
March 30th, 2012 at 5:21am
Great rooms here. Blues are so relaxing..love it!
March 30th, 2012 at 9:19am
I am always thinking about color but always gravitate toward my tried-and-true four: pink, red, orange and yellow. I’m not sure why but it took me forever to realize this may be due to the fact that I’m a Leo and naturally gravitate toward fiery colors. But I’m moving toward mixing it up and want to decorate my bathroom with lots of moody blues. I have the rug and a furniture painting project in the works but not quite sure about the artwork and other accessories yet.
Minnie´s last [type] ..Found: A $5 midcentury kid’s chair
March 30th, 2012 at 12:03pm
Where is the floral duvet from? I thought it was Anthropologie, but I don’t see it there. Thanks.
April 1st, 2012 at 6:26am
Blue… and all it’s shades, my favorite. It isn’t easy to keep blue spiced up unless you add an orange or yellow or even a pink with my aquas… L O V E blue.
Nice post Holly!
Cheers~Ivy
Ivy´s last [type] ..Coralville Photographer: Spring Blooms 2
April 5th, 2012 at 5:22am
This post so echoes my recent feelings! All of the images you found are so beautiful and inspirational. I am wanting to do my master bedroom in a rich, moody, dark blue with green and brass/gold accents. Need to get going!
Sara´s last [type] ..Style in unexpected places
April 11th, 2012 at 4:43am
I recently did a color study on the color blue as well. For a completely different reason though. I’ve taken to naming the colors of shirts that everybody wears at work. It’s been nice – instead of people thinking I’m crazy they’ve joined in on the fun and everybody tries to be the one to guess the best color. I work a pretty corporate job, so needless to say, the boys wear a lot of blue. So I did a Crayola study and a Wiki study. I feel much better now knowing that I can tell the difference between Columbia Blue and Tiffany Blue. (Shockingly, there was no sarcasm in that last statement.)
October 7th, 2012 at 8:57am
i always seem to be drawn to categorizing what i see over the week ( living in NL) into various color collections..
see bleu
or pink….or red..