My Navy Obsession
I used to be of the mindset that navy was only good for business suits and creating a nautical theme in a home complete with anchors, sailboats and a splash of patriotic white and red to complete the look. Not being a huge nautical “fan” I could never see myself recommending or using navy in a major way in my client’s homes. But, after seeing some new trends in navy fabrics this year and getting a glimpse at how other designers are using it…I am hooked!
I do research each year to see what the color trends will be so I can not only write about it, but also advise my clients. If I ever doubted as to whether navy would be a major color trend this year, my uncertainty quickly changed when I went to High Point Furniture Market last year and saw Barclay Butera’s navy blue furniture pieces, pillows and accessories. Because Butera has such broad reach, I knew the trend that I had been hearing about was here to stay (at least for a little while).
{Here is one of the vignettes from Barclay Butera’s showroom at High Point Market last year. As you can see, he couples a velvet sofa with an array of pillows (including his signature monogrammed pillow) and a tufted leather chair. The pairing of the bright orange wall with the navy blue really makes his showroom come to life with dramatic pops of color. The nautical prints above pay homage to the classic use of navy, but are so muted in their tone and matting that they simply provide a nice backdrop so that the vibrant hues take center stage.}
{Here is another shot of Butera’s showroom at High Point. Don’t you just love the striped navy fabric on the wing back chair?}
Since seeing this trend introduced at market, I have started to find it everywhere in design–from cobalt to indigo, near black to true navy, dark blue is showing up in upholstery, on walls, in accessories and lighting. So why so much hoopla over this color? Well, one theory is that while the design industry has become obsessed with navy this year, so has the fashion industry with Kate Middleton, as its current icon, at center stage.
{Kate Middleton wears this color well! Who wouldn’t want to incorporate navy into their world after seeing this classic look?}
When the two worlds of interior design and fashion design collide, you know you have a major trend! So, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite navy room pix with you that I am obsessed with…
{Lauren Casey Interiors}
{Lonny}
{bhg.com}
{Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design}
{Brandon Barre Designs}
{Rue Magazine}
{Ralph Lauren’s Club Navy Wall Color}
{Lindsey Christensen Designs}
{Lonny Magazine}
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
I’ve never been a blue person but I have been drawn to navy lately too and I am considering it for one of the guest rooms. Great post.
pam
Pam,
I love navy in clothes, but haven’t ever really considered it for my interior design projects until lately. I too cannot wait to use it on an upcoming project. I like it with pale grays…!
XoXo,
Denise