Rich and vibrant turquoise was named as 2010 color of the year from Pantone, the recognized expert on color. America has long had a love affair with all shades of blue, in fashion, home, cars or crayons. But I imagine in our traditional corner of New England, turquoise might feel intimidating to many people. You might be thinking "I can sport that on a necklace, but in my home?" Is turquoise too - scary or modern or tropical - just too?
You might be surprised how well turquoise can fit into your traditional interior. It pairs beautifully with other blues, and many greens. Plenty of white lets turquoise shine fresh and crisp, think clouds in the sky or a box from Tiffany. Small doses of orange or coral offset its cooler side and provide lovely balance. The complementary reds, pinks, and deeper blues found in many Oriental rugs brighter up when turquoise is added to the mix. Turquoise can knock the stuffing out of a stuffy room!
So how can you bring this luscious shade in? Of course, paint is always great, and easy to change. Look at these turquoise spaces from Eileen Boyd, Kendall Wilkinson and Fashionable Interiors. Fabulous, right?
Still too scary? These three rooms from Phoebe Howard and Tobi Fairley, punctuated by turquoise upholstery, ramp up the cool factor and evoke casual and coastal chic. But the traditional aesthetic still shines through clearly.
Finally, accessories might be enough to bring a new twist to your existing rooms. Incorporate turquoise lamps ala Markham-Roberts, a throw (from Viva Terra), pillows or decorative objects (pieces shown from Global Views) to add the zest with minimal commitment.
Admittedly, I’m a little biased in favor of turquoise - a pair of these lamps from Bungalow 5 grace my office.
Try a little turquoise - you won’t be sorry!
Awesome energy!