Our January colour takes its inspiration from pieces of rounded beach-glass and sky before sunrise; leaf-smoke and mending bruises. It is the colour of mermaid tails and borrowed sunlight on a wintry afternoon; of thunder-bursts and slated rooftops and the silvery bloom on blueberry skins. Reflecting the changeable states of sea and sky, Smokey Blue can be moody, as in David Bowie’s evocation: blinds drawn all day, nothing to do, nothing to say. Or, it can be old-world elegant, as in the polished plasterwork of Ancient Rome. And sometimes it is just straight forward cool, as in icy spring water gulped from a pewter mug.
These sensual evocations are the inspiration behind Susie Watson Design’s own Smokey Blue palette and our colour of the month. The colour has gained popularity amongst designers, floating somewhere between the cool sophistication of pale greys and the calm tranquillity of blues. It is a step up from neutral palettes, for those wanting to welcome a little colour – but not too much. It has a light uplifting quality, perfect for east or west-facing rooms that are deprived of light, and works well with splashes of stronger colours too. It is a colour that conveys a sense of measured cool combined with wisdom and elegance. For those wanting to dip a toe into this colour, try it on a sofa or in a cushion arrangement to see how it feels. Or, if you’re feeling brave, grab a paintbrush and pop it on a west-facing wall. And for those in search of true serenity, we recommend our new
Maja wallpaper, in – yes, you guessed it: Smokey Blue...
