By exploring tone-on-tone combinations, such as the grey blue of Denim Drift, our Color of the Year, with a rich, dark blue, you can create a look that has a wonderful sense of unity and a space that feels just right. You can then add to this effect with the playful use of hand-painted shapes, stripes and fades, as well as different patterns and textures.
Use a family of colours
The entirely blue Color of the Year palette has been chosen carefully so that each tone compliments the others perfectly. “It’s lovely to be able to play with this family of blues,” says Heleen van Gent, Creative Director of the Global Aesthetic Center. “It makes it really easy for people to create their own contemporary colour combinations.”
So, why restrict yourself to a single colour on walls or units? Instead, make your own patterns that use different tones on the same wall – such as a colourful dot matrix. By using the full range of tones, you’ll pick out highlights from other items in the room painted the same hue.
Which paints?
S0.10.50
S1.05.81
S7.19.59
S9.30.40
T1.23.25
Try your freehand skills
“There’s something very liberating about painting your own patterns freehand,” says Heleen. Try your arm at swirls, repeated decorative patterns and oversized circles. “It’s a really achievable look. You don’t have to mask it up, you can just go for it!”
Which paints?
HN.02.83
U3.15.11
Let it flow
It might seem overboard to use lots of different tones on one wall: but not if you flow your colours together subtly. Try getting gradually lighter as you work your way from the bottom to the top. Darker tones are naturally more grounding, with the lighter tones being more ‘airy’.
Since blue is the colour of sea, sky and so many things in between, the overall effect is of an abstract landscape or seascape, providing a naturally serene and calming feature to shared spaces.
Which paints?
S1.05.81
S7.19.59
S9.30.40
T1.23.25
Same shade, different surface
As well as varying tone, try extending the same shade across different surfaces and textures. Cupboards, furniture and even ceilings can be painted in this way. “Try painting your furniture to match your walls, so it almost becomes part of the background.” says Heleen. “It’s not a very obvious thing to do – but it’s incredibly effective.”
Which paints?
U3.15.11
S9.30.40
Find your kind of blue
Download the ICI Dulux Visualizer app to see how these beautiful blues can be used in every room in your home.
