‘Green’ going blue

Our celebration of Earth Day has had everyone talking green. The color has become symbolic of the environmental movement and can clearly communicate an organizations concern for sustaining the planet. Even the NBC peacock shed its rainbow colors in favor of green this week.

As we all become more eco-conscious our view of what it means to be earth-friendly broadens. It is no longer simply about ‘recycle-reuse-renew’ but is expanding to a broader understanding of the interconnectedness of our planet.

A shift in our collective view is what can bring about a change in our desire for certain colors and this is where trends begin. While we still have a desire for green and find comfort in brown our more global perspective is being expressed with the color blue.

My friend and CMG colleague, Leatrice Eiseman correctly read this trend when she recommend that Pantone named blue the color of 2008. By choosing this single color they aren’t saying that this specific color is the ‘must have’ hue but rather that this color represents the overall mood or focus around the globe.

This has proven to be very true and right now blue is resonating with so many people that when someone ask me what colors are hot I reply, “Any hue as long as its blue”.

If you have any doubt just look around. Every hue of blue from sky to navy can be seen for home and fashion everywhere right now.

House Beautiful picked up on the importance of blue in 2008. I especially loved this home that beautifully blends many blues. The living room above is predominately done in the softer spa blues with deeper blue accents. While the dining area mixes bolder blue with bright turquoise.

Pottery barn has plenty of blue in their collections, too. In the current Pottery Barn paint colors there are a half dozen blues.

I think this light blue pillow is perfect with the light neutrals and dark brown wood. It has a fresh, modern look while the darker blue and white rugs draw from ancient indigo dyed textiles.

If you are in the market for a Kitchenaid mixer you have two blues to choose from at Williams-Sonoma. The deep cobalt and the light, fresh blue.

Martha Stewart went with a blue that is more aqua for her cookware line but selected a clear blue for her bedding sets available at Macy’s.

Blue in combination with brown or tan that has been a popular choice for the last few years and is still going strong.

But now blue is also being paired with green. In the same way that these colors create a balance in nature they can come together in perfect harmony in your home. These two froms from 2modern.com are good examples of this color scheme.

If you’re home isn’t yet ’singing the blues’ now is the time to find the perfect hue for you.

Do you still need more inspiration for adding a bit of blue to your home? Here’s a few of my favorite homes filled with blue from past issues of House Beautiful. Each uses blue in a bit different way.

• The color blue is the lovely, persistent thread woven throughout your elegant Jackson, Mississippi, house. See more about this home on housebeautiful.com
• A teacher at Parsons School of Design used to say,’Put a little blue in everything you do.’ Some people think blue is cold, but my client loves blue so much she wanted a completely blue house. See more about this home on housebeautiful.com
• Designer Robin Bell fills this Florida house with more blues than you can count. See more about this home on housebeautiful.com