Designer Palette: Blend of Blues

Inspired by an aqua-and-navy Morrocan tile, designer Jessica Brende combines the serenity of blue with the sophistication of gray in this livable color palette.

Designer: Jessica Brende

Getting Started:

Use a ratio formula to help you put together a color scheme. Choose one main color to serve as 40-60 percent of your color palette, then one to two supporting colors to comprise 30-40 percent of your color palette, and fill the remainder with one to two accents. Thinking of color this way can help you determine how much of each color to use. Go to the next slide to see how this scheme breaks out.

The navy blue and aqua in this palette are colors you can easily live with says Brende. Start with a aqua blue-based gray as the main color, employing it on the walls and on an upholstered chair.  Use a true gray as the supporting, secondary color (such as on a sofa and accent wall). Fill in with navy blue and a grayed aqua blue as accent colors.

"This palette conveys a young at heart style, with a touch of sophistication," says Brende, "It would work well in a transitional environment." To create a look that spans two styles, apply modern finishes to classic elements (such as black lacquer to traditional trimwork) and juxtapose elements from both ends of the spectrum side-by-side (such as timeless navy blue swoop arm chair with a global patterned trim).

Use an array of linen and linen-like textures and cerused or bleached oak wood tones with this palette to round out the beach vibe. The addition of ombre, such as on curtains or throw pillows will keep the ageless palette trend forward.

With this palette of blues and grays, Brende recommends accessorizing with old and new pottery pieces in white and aqua, driftwood, and agate bookends. Matte silver, such as upholstery nail heads or hardware, will bring sparkle to the room.

Ready to decorate? Shop the products that will help you bring this look home!