feature image via Architectural Digest
Yesterday, I told you about my obsession with Klein blue and today, I’m sharing how to use Klein blue in your home. I know Klein blue can be a pretty scary color to commit to. In fact, most people love sticking with neutrals because they are so afraid of using color and having the space come off as childish or immature. But really, color can only enhance your home’s beauty. It gives life and love to a space.
I think people are under the impression that if they use color, it has to be everywhere. This isn’t true. You can have a totally neutral space and have little pops of color peppered into your decor; just enough to give life and a sense of lightheartedness. My living room is mostly neutrals with a lot of pops of color (and Klein blue, naturally) throughout. I love my space; there are so many special little design moments to take in and it just looks like a really casual and creative space…and it is!
How to Use Klein Blue in Your Home
1. Painted furniture
So, let’ts talk bout how to use Klein blue in your home. I promise, you can start small and it won’t be scary. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn always says that at first his clients have aversion to boldness, but by the design reveal, they are on board and enthused. That could be you! The dreary winter days are coming up soon, and gray outdoors means color indoors to maintain sanity.
via Bre Purposed
One of my absolute favorite looks is a piece of vintage or traditional furniture painted a fun color. In my living room, I bought a vintage side table from Ebay and painted it Benjamin Moore “Evening Blue” (a Klein blue duplicate). It has those old brass wheels on the legs and the contrast between warm metals and blues is just too good. It’s a fun pop of color in the living room houses my Epson printer in my “home office” (it’s a corner, let’s be real).
via The Weathered Door
I have a post coming up on refurbishing vintage furniture. One of my favorite things to do is either paint or reupholster vintage furniture with a bright and vibrant color. My favorite application of this technique is turning an old comfy chair into a colorful and creative office desk chair with a great upholstery print. So fun!
I also have a secondhand wardrobe in the bedroom and as a fun DIY project, I painted the walnut wardrobe Evening Blue and made foot long copper pipe door pulls. It looks really high end, when in fact it was left here by the previous tenants and came to me for free.
2. Art
via Apartment Therapy
In my own home, I’m killin’ it in this category! I would say that 75% of my wall art contains Klein blue. Matisse has a blue nude series that is amazing if you want something abstract but minimal. I own the Blue Nude II (current on sale for $4), and a piece from his cut out series. Both have a home in my living room and they make me so happy. I really love Matisse.
via Apartment Therapy
I also reused a large canvas print from Ikea and painted over it, then used Klein blue spray paint and did a minimalist graffiti piece that hangs over my desk. I told you I’m obsessed with Klein blue! That bright blue is super popular so you can find it in many different forms, if you’re looking for an easy DIY project with big impact. There is no limit to how to use Klein blue in your home.
3. Accessories
via HGTV
How precious are these babies? Allllll the heart eyes! This room is layered so, so well. The pattern play is absolutely fantastic and I am loving that cute polar bear painting over the bed. Wouldn’t you feel so special if you stayed at your friend’s home and this was your guest bedroom?
via Homedit
If your style has more traditional leanings, no worries! Chinese ginger jars are a very classy and elegant touch to add to any space; they look especially fantastic decorating an entryway. I love vintage pottery. My brother lived in China for a spell and I tried to get him to find me some authentic ginger jars and Foo dogs, but shipping was too pricey for it to be worth it.
via Lonny
I think that as a whole, we need to be more comfortable with colorful, casual interiors. It seems people are only comfortable with neutrals and “grown up” decor. That is misguided. The way to give personality and flair to your home is through COLOR! Don’t be scared; I know California-cool neutral homes are super popular right now, and for good reason, but adding some pops of color here and there gives your space a personal touch.
There is a reason that some of the most expensive kitchen appliances and cookware come in a range of colors. If you browse the color stories of Kitchenaid, Le Creuset, Smeg, and Big Chill, there is a pretty universal theme going on: color brightens a space. My most recent Keurig was even Klein blue and I have cast iron and dutch ovens that are tomato red. Color is good, especially in a kitchen.
4. Tile & wallpaper
via Jungalow
Is there anyone who isn’t addicted to all things Justina Blakeney? This friggin’ queen is the master of texture and boho style. Her own home is full of colorful moments and brightly colored tiles. I love a blue tile moment and one of my favorites is the terracotta hex by Cle tile (shown below). It’s just too, too good.
via Cle Tile
via Elle Decor
If wallpaper isn’t your thing, another thing you could do is have statement blue walls. You can flip the neutral palette and have bold walls with neutral furniture and finishes. This space looks so cool and classy. Something about blue just makes everything look friendlier.
Another great thing about blue is that it looks amazing paired with natural elements. The reason? Orange is opposite blue on the color wheel and natural elements like rattan, wovens, and woods have a warm orangey undertone. They are meant to be paired together.
5. Dining decor
via Domino Mag
Talk about a fun dinner party. Learning how to use Klein blue in your home is so important because this shade of blue just makes everything feel so friendly. It’s quite possibly the happiest color, so peppering in different blues can’t do anything but help your space.
via Homedit
Here’s another example of a traditional space that is brilliantly styled and accented with Klein blue. It’s neutral with gorgeous shades of powder blue and vintage accents, but the Chinese ginger jars really elevate the space and give it energy. Learning how to use Klein blue in your home, even if it’s a traditional home, is a good skill to master.
via Lonny
6. Upholstery
via Banner Day
Yes, it is possible to have a neutral room and a giant pop of color without the space feeling overwhelming. The living room above has a great sofa with clean lines, a classic Saarinen side table, woven rug, and warm wooden coffee table. The playful art is the perfect accent to the playful color of the sofa. To me, this kind of space makes me feel so happy.
via Magic Don
If an upholstered piece of furniture is too much color for you, maybe try throwing in a Klein blue pillow or two. You can even pop a nice blanket on the sofa with a playful color or pattern. Anything textural is going to be a win here.
7. Mix & match
via Old Brand New
Last but not least, add some Klein blue and let it stand alone. Mix and match chairs are really popular right now because of the farmhouse aesthetic, so a great way to modernize it is to add in some colorful chairs. This would be especially great in an outdoor area!
So, what do you think? Now that you know how to use Klein blue in your home, are you ready to pull the trigger?
-Kristen
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