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Healing properties. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese often practiced chromotherapy — using colors to heal. Sometimes referred to as light therapy or colorology, chromotherapy is still used today as a holistic or alternative health treatment.

Indeed, a more modern interpreter of chromotherapy, Edwin Babbitt, stated in his 1878 work, The Principles of Color Therapy, that "the blue ray is one of the greatest antiseptics in the world." It is believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.

Buddhists recommend the blue lapis lazuli stone to bring inner peace. June McLeod, author of Colors of the Soul, agrees with blue's calming power — particularly shades of sky blue. Use this light and restorative hue to create a truly relaxing bathroom.
by Pepe Calderin Design- Miami Modern Interior Design
Blue bloods. The ancient Egyptians used the lapis lazuli stone to dye the cloaks of royals and priests, indicating their status as gods. We still see these rich celestial hues as somehow exotic and regal, so they work beautifully on feature walls or in small spaces, such as this powder room.
by Tracy Murdock Allied ASID
Protective properties. In parts of Europe, cupolas, doors, staircases, fences and exteriors were painted blue to protect the house from evil. Polish custom once dictated that all houses for women about to be married be painted blue.

I like the idea of a blue door — it feels solid and trustworthy to me.
by Knickerbocker Group  
In 1932 Robert M. Gerard, a California psychologist, performed a study that determined the effect of light on blood pressure at a New England hospital. Staff members with normal blood pressure were exposed to blue and red light for half an hour each. Universally, the blue light resulted in a fall in blood pressure, while the red light resulted in a rise in blood pressure.

Try using a cool blue for a calming bedroom but balance it with rich, warm woods to prevent a cold feeling.
by Pinto Designs and Associates
Feeling blue. In 1901, influenced by the suicide of a good friend, Picasso started his Blue Period, in which he almost always used blue palettes in his work. These pieces were rather austere and cool, and were unpopular with the general public.

While blue is often cited as a cold and even depressing color, tones with a hint of red feel warmer. Unlike cool blues, warm blues advance toward you, making them a cozy choice for a social space such as a living room. The accent wall in this room feels anything but cold and aloof, despite the concrete, marble and gray.
by RD Architecture, LLC  
Out of the blue. Blue is also known to suppress the appetite, possibly as an adaptation against eating rotten food, which can have a bluish tinge. Indeed, some weight-loss programs go so far as to advise eating off a blue plate.

A blue dining room could be great for those wanting to slim down, but it may not be the right choice for foodies.
by Clarkson Potter  
Blue-sky thinking. Blue is often used to decorate offices, as research has shown that people tend to be more productive in blue rooms. In 2009 a study by the University of British Colombia showed that blue boosts our ability to think creatively, and that children tested higher on IQ tests in rooms with blue ceilings. This makes blue a perfect color choice for a study.
by Wentworth, Inc.
Feng shui's take on blue. According to feng shui design principles, blue is a water element, excellent for use in the east (health and family) and southeast (wealth and abundance) sides of your home or office — water energy is said to nourish the wood element of these areas.
by Tongue & Groove
Deep blue serenity. Dark blue is considered a good color to use in a bedroom, as it evokes deep calm and serenity.

See more about using blue

Tell us: How do you use blue in your home?
by Kim Armstrong

Comments

Paul D'Amico - Period Design Julia you have researched "blue" thoroughly I'm beyond impressed. Your photo examples and text cover all the problems and facts I have been battling with. Blue is a colour I have always wanted to place in an interior just to chicken out for all the reasons you mention. Except once when I painted a timber mantelpiece blue, the brickwork was orange, the fire of course red and it was a success.
Instinctively I want "blue" but reflectively I think "careful" its going to be cold.
4 months ago · ·
bubblyjock I painted our last kitchen a super-saturated dark "petrol" blue (Silver Line from Pratt & Lambert), and we never got bored with it. The super-saturation was a bit more expensive, but when you want really rich colours, there's no comparison, apparently.
4 months ago · ·
ruthmand As you can see in the photos with the cat, the fireplace and of the dining room, if you juxtapose blue with wood tones, browns, beiges and cream colors, as well as with other natural elements, a room can look quite warm.
4 months ago · ·
Julia Pockett Hi Paul - big thanks for the encouragement. I am with the masses I'm afraid - blue is my favourite colour and I love using it in interiors. But, I have to say that the rich warm blues are my real favourite and I totally agree with ruthmand on using it with wood and natural tones. I've included a picture of my kitchen where I used Dulux Teal Tension as a feature wall. I'm not sure the colour in the picture is accurately representative but everyone that sees it loves it. I don't think there is a better colour for bringing the best out in wood. If going for azure then it looks amazing with orange. Be brave and watch out for orange next :-).
4 months ago · ·
kimnichols_lyricaldesigns My Living room and Music space are both blue. The music room has tans, chocolates, and a light blue color. While the living room has caramel and chocolate furniture with turquoise,teal, warm blue accents and window treatments. I used burnt orange throws and copper elements to warm the blues and give them a rich quality.
4 months ago · ·
sas912 I love the color blue in a house and my front door is also painted a deep periwinkle blue. However, when I put my house on the market, every realtor who looked at my house freaked out and said the that blue colors were the reason their clients were not buying my house even with a credit at closing to repaint everything a sterile white. So it's a double-edged sword. I will still paint the interiors of my next house shades of blue.
4 months ago · ·
JSL Exteriors Landscape Design/Build Curb appeal and first impressions are often a reflection of the colors (or lack thereof) used. Its interesting how many people design their homes based on what other people think rather than being bold and color their homes based on personal preference. The use of color is often more of a reflection of one's personality and not always a decision based on good design principles and color theory.

Realtors know the reactions of potential buyers and unfortunately, recommend staging your home for sale in the most bland, uninspiring colors possible. Three homes ago, I risked painting my home an intense red and worried about its curb appeal. Fortunately, the color of the house was completely embraced by the buyer, but most people would never have taken the risk in the first place.
4 months ago · ·
r7carina My bedroom is deep indigo and when the lights are out, it is like resting in the night sky for deep sleep.
4 months ago · ·
patscats2 When we sold our last house we painted the living areas in BM Rich Creme, the laundry and bath in RH Silver Sage and the bedrooms beige. The house sold within 2 months. The colors were very soothing and unlike white, it offset the white moldings and built ins beautifully. the added bonus was it was all paint left over from our currrent house build.
4 months ago · ·
hunsingere A couple of blue rooms
4 months ago · ·
hunsingere More Blue Bedrooms, different styles.
4 months ago · ·
harrys Thanks to the author for this well-prepared piece - I need some blue! Was soothing just to view the bath photos. Salvaged lots of blue glass tile (mosaic) pieces from a high-end pool/spa, and will use them on the kitchen backsplash areas. If only I'd bought those blue granite slabs on Craigslist.......
4 months ago · ·
Julia Pockett Thanks Harrys - I'm with you on the blue bathroom - I love it! You sound like you are right on the money with salvaging - what a fantastic re-cycling of gorgeous materials!
4 months ago ·
Paul D'Amico - Period Design And bubbles can be blue too. I have come across this feature combining marble crystal and LED light. I have remained amazed.
3 months ago · ·
Julia Pockett Hi Paul...Wow!!
3 months ago ·
Paul D'Amico - Period Design Hi Julia, It was Howard Criddle owner of FW Lighting, that showed me this.The Bubble can be produced from almost any marble, and is created by firstly bonding a layer of crystal glass between two sections of marble. This slab is machined both sides to create either a spot or circle.
LEDs are used to illuminate from behind and shine through the marble veins and glass. The whole system is mounted onto a free standing frame so that tiles can be removed and the electrical equipment (behind) maintained.
Using colour chaning LED's (RGB) the installer (and user) are able to create wonderful lighting effects and themes to suit any need.
As a cladding system Bolla can be used externally without issue, and now comes in square, rectangular or hexagonal tile options to vary the design.
http://www.fw-lighting.com/images/BOLLAa.pdf
3 months ago · ·
Paul D'Amico - Period Design and one more
3 months ago ·
Julia Pockett Hi Paul, it's a really amazing effect and they have a fantastic website. It looks 'astronomical'...literally!! Sounds like an expensive installation but worth bearing in mind for commercial projects!
3 months ago ·
Sandra I have had a thing for Benjamin Moore 1416 for years and my bedroom in this house is of that color. Have decided make a change ! Will paint the ceiling 1416 and paint the walls and slant a slate blue I found at Behr paints. I have lots of color in my house but, I have not changed the bedroom color in 4 houses now. Deep breath !!! :) Picture is of current.
3 months ago · ·
Julia Pockett Good luck and do post a picture :-))
3 months ago · ·
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