As the weather warms, and blue skies beckon, pretty blues and coastal color stories feel uplifting. But which blues? And must you dwell on an island to enjoy turquoise? Since there is a wide range of possibilities – anyone can enjoy it. Pretty Coastal Blues for Tranquil Airy Looks delivers paint color suggestions, decorating ideas, and resources for cheerful bold blues as well as quieter possibilities. I personally love wearing bright saturated turquoise, but pale blue is what I favor at home. Let’s peek at the magic possible where variations of coastal blue live.
Pretty Coastal Blues: Paint & Accents
While I enjoy living with neutrals and liberal does of white at home, I also appreciate the spring and summer-like island goodness coastal blue paint colors and turquoise accents bring.
And isn’t the above bedroom (in the Bahamas) a testament to the power of muted, tranquil, icy blue with gray undertones? While we don’t know the exact color on the wood paneled walls, at first they make strike you as a pale chambray. Or a muted periwinkle-gray.
BM Cascade White 2127-70
The color isn’t overly green which you sense from the contrast with the upholstered pieces. So if you are looking for a similar icy yet soothing light blue effect, Cascade White may be worth a look. (And don’t be put off by “white” in the paint’s name!)
Here it is in a bedroom where it appears more blue than gray:
For a more aqua-gray hue, check out Benjamin Moore Lookout Point 1646 which appears to have a bit of green in it:
Pretty Coastal Blues: BM Glass Slipper 1632
Another icy pale blue I love is Benjamin Moore 1632 which designers use all of the time.
Glass Slipper is a pale powder blue offering effortless beauty for any space, and with a light reflectance value (LRV) of 70.2, it’s going to reflect plenty of light and not feel as dark as a blue-grey such as Brittany Blue 1633.
Glass Slipper can be so elegant in a dining room or bathroom. And if you’re a fan of blue and wondering where you can add it to your home, maybe a laundry room or bonus room?
BM 1605 Winter Solstice
What makes a blue coastal in feel rather than say, wintry? Bright turquoise and teal have a definite summery vibe whereas greyed, icier blues remind us of winter. Here’s a gorgeous paint color idea which I think straddles the two:
Isn’t that a romantic and sophisticated look for such a traditionally utilitarian space?
Benjamin Moore describes the color as “Like the early evening on a snowy winter day, this cool gray features a touch of blue.” But I just see the most elegant and lovely tone!
BM Atmospheric
There’s a whole category of coastal blue colors that fall under the umbrella of “happy,” don’t you think? Those icy and grey-blue colors can be a bit aloof, so along comes Atmospheric!
Isn’t it stunning on this kitchen island and pantry door?
BM 610 Antigua Aqua
For a nostalgic, island-ish, Florida beach cottage feel, you may like a color such as BM Antigua Aqua. It is very similar to a discontinued Valspar color that was used here called SR-1011 Summer Sorbet:
Designer Tracey Rapisardi knows her way around coastal blue paint and accents and uses it liberally.
She literally wrote the book on seaside interiors, and you can buy Simply by the Sea HERE.
Ideas for Classic Decorating With Blue
I love how designer Cathy Kincaid uses blue in her gorgeous traditional style home:
Coastal Blue Inspiration for Curb Appeal
What if your front door was painted your favorite blue? Isn’t it fabulous for coastal cottages, beach homes, or any summer-friendly front door?
The front door above is Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue.
Look at how pretty an aqua-turquoise-blue can harmonize with copper or grey:
It truly is a happy color in a variety of settings – isn’t this a cheerful front door as well?
Here’s a paint color suggestion to approach the effect of the curb appealing door above.
For a turquoise with less green undertones than the Behr color above, peek at Benjamin Moore Blue Lagoon which would be similar to the trim here:
Coastal Blue-Green Exterior Paint Color Ideas
Can you imagine going boldly teal green or turquoise on your cottage’s exterior?
Try a gorgeous coastal teal color called Oceanic Teal 669 to approach the coastal blue on the shingles above.
If you love soft European-inspired green like this:
you may be slightly surprised to learn the exact paint color is this: SW Parisian Patina.
The sun can warm a cooler green so that it appears more aqua so it’s important to sample and have a few similar tones to compare. Samplize samples make it super easy to compare colors with no mess and no painting at all. If you buy sample pots…
Turquoise Interior Inspiration: Dining Rooms
Imagine waking up to a cheerful blue hue like this in a breakfast nook:
or even a mix of cool blues and greens like this rustic melange:
Isn’t this elegant combination of putty grey and turqoise magical?
Sometimes just painting bifold doors with an elegant blue (and leaving white contrasting trim like what we see in this dining room below) can bring a smile to an otherwise neutral space.
And don’t worry about “matching” upholstery with paint. That can come off looking too contrived anyway, and for a designer look, it’s not going to be an exact match.
Turquoise can bring life and interest when you’re after a sanctuary feel. Here’s an example of contrast with black pocket doors and a reflective ceiling.
Beachy Turquoise Paint Projects
What to do after dragging an abandoned curbside chair home? Here is some inspiration from talented bloggers.
Here’s another gorgeous blue chalk paint to consider for furniture or home accents:
Beachy Turquoise Decor Inspiration: For Curb Appeal
Chalk paint is certainly not just for dumpster dive treasures. It is a smart option to customize new pieces you may not have considered personalizing. Case in point? To give a new light a verdigris finish, Lesley Stocker created patina in 30 minutes with Annie Sloan Duck Egg Blue.
Check out her videos like this one to understand the easy process!
Need a pop of blue for a porch, deck, veranda or balcony?
Cheerful Coastal Blue Kitchens
Can you imagine the task of choosing a beautiful blue to be used as extensively as this:
Something magical happens when those sophisticated chalky blues meet copper:
And even when blue tiles live only on the range backsplash, the effect can be dramatic:
Blue can certainly shift the mood of a kitchen into less fussy, more down to earth territory as we see in this elegant kitchen:
I’m thinkin’ it’s children who eat at this island where fancy upholstered stools would not stand a chance.
Coastal Blue Living Rooms
A turquoise or teal accent wall is one thing, but how about a soaring one along with the doors and trim?
Designer Sherry Hart knows her way around dreamy turquoise! Look at this original piece she bought for her vacation rental! You can read about the refresh she gave to it here.
Bedrooms With Coastal Blue
What a cheery color to consider for a bedroom accent! So many gorgeous interpretations with Duck Egg, Robin’s Egg, and all the beautiful aquas or muddy Swedish blues!
Doesn’t the desk make a statement above? And what about the smaller details like this:
What a sophisticated combination we see with green in this bedroom below:
Isn’t the beaded chandelier amazing?
Traditional style is certainly on the rise, and here’s a gorgeous timeless blue bedroom that works in any era:
Maybe a simple custom pillow cover could put the whole scheme into motion:
Alternatively, a painted floor or accent wall might set the tone:
Cheerful Blue Accents in a Traditional Setting
What a gorgeous mood is set with blue in this entry:
and also in this one!
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Blue Home Decor Ideas
Cool Blue Inspiration from a Fine Artist
After a diagnosis with chronic illness in the 1990s, fine artist Holly Irwin was forced to leave her career. It was her passion for drawing and painting the human figure that restored her hope and allowed a new life to bloom.
Today, Holly and her artist husband have studios in their Roswell, Georgia home.
I think you’ll love the artist’s sense of color and be able to sense an uncommon buoyancy and hidden wholeness within the work.
Visit her site and see her work in these galleries if you are able!
Thanks for tuning into this colorful post! Find beautiful blue kitchens HERE.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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