How to: Decorate with Blue

Designers share what they love about blue and how they like to use it

Written by Tim McKeough

They don't call the stocks of America's biggest and most powerful institutions blue chips for nothing-the color blue signifies strength, wealth, and dependability. However, in skilled hands, blue can just as easily be used to create a casual atmosphere-think blue-and-white nautical stripes at the classic seaside beach house. No matter how you use this powerful color, the result is always clean and fresh. We asked a few designers to show us how they've used blue in all its forms, from powdery shades to royal hues to brighter options like teal.

How to: Decorate with Gold

Photo: Courtesy of Matthew-Patrick Smyth

"Blue is strong and provides a nice clean statement," says New York designer Matthew Patrick Smyth. "It's very reassuring. There are also so many shades, from dark blues to something with silver-it has such a range. I did this library in a really strong electric blue for a client who loves color. It was an old paneled room, where we couldn't restore the wood because it had dried out so much, so we decided to paint it. The result is unexpected."

How to: Decorate with Yellow

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"I like a lot of color, and I find that cool tones of blue, in general, are easy to live with," says Los Angeles-based designer Oliver M. Furth. "Particularly in California, where the light is so warm, cool-blue tones react better to the sun. This room was the darkest in the house," says Oliver M. Furth. "The teal-blue color is almost fluorescent it's so bright, but in this dark space, it works very well. At night, when the light is low, it's a really sexy color."

How to: Decorate with Red

Photographer: Michael Mundy

"Whether a space is large or small, blue always says to me 'I'm happy and relaxed,'" says New York designer Victoria Hagan. "Nothing is more durable and fun than a jolt of deep blue on your sofas. Add a blue striped dhurrie and you are guaranteed a happy room."

See the rest of the blue rooms and designer advice at ELLE DECOR.

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