What Colors Do I Need to Paint a Sunflower
Max Burkhalter; Courtesy of Paloma Contreras
Blue just may be the most versatile shade on the color wheel. With its diverse range of undertones and ability to pair seamlessly with other hues, this color proves why it is a standout among designers. A rich midnight evokes a more reflective feeling suitable for a home library while a glossy aquamarine exudes just the right amount of energy within a living room. Delicate pastel-blue walls can even transform modest bedrooms into peaceful and calming retreats that draw you in.
The relaxing and serene qualities of this hue have even caught the eye of PPG Paints, which announced their brand's 2020 Color of the Year is a cobalt and moody, ink blue called Chinese Porcelain. "The need for simplicity and escapism from technology is, in part, the reason that consumers are craving blues like Chinese Porcelain that bring us closer to natural elements such as the sea and sky—the horizon spot, creating serenity in any space," explained Dee Schlotter, PPG's senior color manager, in a statement.
The shade's innate connection to nature also influenced Pantone's decision to name Classic Blue as their color of the year for 2020. Described by the Color Institute as "solid and dependable," the true blue asserts a sense of stability and tranquility, making it a standout hue to carry us into the new decade.
"A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking, challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective, and open the flow of communication," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a statement.
For inspiration on which blue to choose, we reached out to top designers all over the world. One of these sumptuous selections is sure to make it on your walls.
Blue Dragon by Benjamin Moore
Dynamic Blue by Sherwin Williams
"Not for the faint of heart! This bold, bright, and happy blue is a great choice. In fact, I painted my own living room this color. Dynamic Blue manages to be a bold statement and a great backdrop to other bold colors." — Courtney McLeod, Right Meets Left Interior Design
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Ultra Blue by Little Green Paints
Laguna by Sydney Harbour Paint Company
"One of our all-time favorite blues is Laguna from Sydney Harbour Paint Company. We used this hue in their Interno Lime Wash product in a space we recently designed, and it's blissfully ethereal. SHP's limewash is as easy to apply as paint—no joke—and replicates the soft, weathered patina of a traditional limewash. We literally can't get enough of how this product gently blooms over time, creating loads of depth and texture in any space. It's killer in Laguna, but available in any custom color your heart can dream of. Members of the trade can purchase all of SHP's no-VOC line through our showroom." —Krista Nicholas, Cloth and Kind
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Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore
"What I love about this hue is the sheer versatility it brings to the mix. It can be played up as royally traditional or chilled out as laid-back modernity. It makes a powerful, contrasting backdrop for furnishings and accessorizing choices like salon-styled art hangings. Due to its romantic vibe, this rich color is perfect for master bedrooms. I've deployed it at least twice in this application." —Corey Damen Jenkins
"It may seem antithetical, but for a dark room, I actually prefer leaning into it and using a darker, more saturated color. Benjamin Moore's Hale Navy is a favorite of mine. It creates a space that is cozy, moody, comfortable, and that has a touch of masculinity." —Young Huh
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Water's Edge by Benjamin Moore
"One of my favorite blue hues is Water's Edge by Benjamin Moore. It is a beautiful shade of pale blue with dusty gray, watery undertones. I love it because it works just as well in traditional spaces as it does in more modern ones. It looks especially stunning executed in a lacquer finish." —Paloma Contreras
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Mysterious by Benjamin Moore
"Blue is my go-to color and a personal favorite. It has become the new neutral due to its popularity. Like any color, blues have undertones and can travel the spectrum from warm to cool. We mostly use baby blues, gray blues, spa blues, indigos, and navy blues. Benjamin Moore's Mysterious is an almost-black blue—sophisticated and moody. Think about this color for a butler pantry, powder room, or island cabinets." —Karen B. Wolf, Karen B. Wolf Interiors
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Skylight by Farrow & Ball
"Our favorite blue is Skylight #205 from Farrow & Ball because this pigment says 'light blue' without being pastel, sweet, or too reflective. It's dirty and completely gorgeous. It creates earthy, magnificent backdrops that work brilliantly with the textures and tones of a well-layered room." —Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher, Fisher Weisman
"Skylight is a pale gray that works beautiflly as an architectural neutral that evokes the natural light that pours in from a skylight. While a more traditional pale blue, it can subtly set off a space with modern furnishings and artwork lending it sophistication and depth. Becasue of the elegant grey tone to it, Sky light is a failsafe blue that never risks a baby blue effect." - Mindy O'Connor, Melinda Kelson O'Connor Design
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Abysse by Ressource
"One of my favorite blues is Abysse by Ressource. I love the rich and warm tones that this color produces. Often times, navy blues can read too dark or just fall flat. Abysse is a true navy blue that warms any walls that it comes in contact with. Another benefit is its ability to stray away from making a room feel cave-like. If you've worked with blue paint before, you know that this is not an easy task!" —Mikel Welch, Mikel Welch Interior Design
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Iced Slate by Benjamin Moore
Deep Dive by Clare Paints
"I am absolutely in love with Deep Dive by Clare paint. This color reminds me of the spunky and trendy cousin, who is not afraid to take risks. Deep Dive walks the line between blue and green hues. As someone who grew up in the '90s, this is a color that speaks to my soul! I can envision Deep Dive on kitchen cabinets or even a moody home office. Add a few brass light fixtures, and I'm sold." —Mikel Welch, Mikel Welch Interior Design
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Mediterranean Breeze by Benjamin Moore
"The color reminds me of the south of France and lazy summer days. If it weren't blue, it would be sunflower yellow, another color that fills my life in summer." –Kathryn M. Ireland
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Luxe Blue by Sherwin-Williams
"Since working in Mexico, Luxe Blue has become my go-to for our clients who want to mix timeless, coastal style with the 'Baja boho' vibe. The restrained, sophisticated hue is reminiscent of the Sea of Cortez in the morning and creates a perfect backdrop for layering textured neutrals, rattan, and sea grass. My clients love that the end result gives them a touch of the Hamptons but in the desert of Mexico." —Anna Ruby, design director at Twin Dolphin Los Cabos
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New York State of Mind by Benjamin Moore
"Benjamin Moore's New York State of Mind is a lovely shade between a cobalt and marine blue that is universally appealing. The purity of the color allows it to work as an accent color or as a backdrop to showcase other design elements. It looks fabulous with other blues and can hold its own with bolder colors such as orange and green." —Catherine Austin
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Rhine River by Benjamin Moore
"I love working with blues as they bring the color of sky and ocean into indoor living spaces. Benjamin Moore's Rhine River is one of my favorite colors. It is soft and relaxing yet sophisticated. It is a perfect backdrop for mahogany and teak furniture in a midcentury modern house, as well as against painted trims in a Cape Cod or Shingle-style home. The most versatile shade of blue paint." —Goli Karimi, director of design at Home Front Build
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Light Blue by Farrow & Ball
"This shade is a true light blue without being baby blue. It has hints of a warm gray, soothing and soft, perfect for bedrooms. Farrow & Ball does a great job of having these beautiful pigments that have many layers to them. Our bedroom is getting this color makeover as soon as my painter can find time for me. Again, paint the doors and molding if you can. It really brings a current feel." —Sarah Winchester
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Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball
"This sophisticated blue has incredible depth. With strong green undertones, I find it transitions quite well to both masculine and feminine spaces." —Courtney McLeod, Right Meets Left Interior Design
"One of my favorite go-to blues is Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. I love to apply it as a lacquer in a library and mix in a rich rust-colored mohair on a pair of chairs or small sofa. The combination of the lacquer and sumptuous mohair gives an instant air of sophistication." —Meridith Baer, Meridith Baer Home
"One of my favorite blues is Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. I have used it in a few of my projects. It's a strong and dramatic blue but has a bit of a green undertone to it. It reads a little unexpected." — Laurie Blumenfeld-Russo, Laurie Blumenfeld Design
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Prussian Blue by Benjamin Moore
"Benjamin Moore's Prussian Blue somehow always manages to look bright without being garish. It has an old-world look and yet is fresh and modern. We are using it right now in a high gloss to repaint a white four-poster bed that will look ever so much richer and more unique sporting this striking shade. It also plays well with others, like the blues in popular Canton China and Delft." —Rela Gleason, Rela Gleason Design
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Fantasy Blue by Benjamin Moore
"We recently used Benjamin Moore Fantasy Blue for a bedroom. It's light and a little icy with a hint of green to keep it from feeling cold. We also painted the trim the same color to match so the walls fade away to the sky beyond. It has an ethereal quality that I really love." —William Cullum,
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Gentleman's Grey by Benjamin Moore
Poolside by Benjamin Moore
"Blue is such a beautiful and functional color in the design industry, as it runs the gamut from blue-green to blue-gray. There are so many blue tones to choose from when designing our varied projects. Lately, I am loving Benjamin Moore's Poolside for its rich saturation of color. I can fold it into a classic traditional room and pair it with plaids, paisleys, and wood tones, or let it stand alone in a sleek, modern space with white, silver, and Lucite." —Joe Berkowitz, founder of JAB Design Group
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Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball
"We use this regularly on ceilings, especially in rooms overlooking water or in bathrooms, because of the way it can have a slight shimmer in a satin finish. We always cut it back with at least 50 percent white, then we put up samples to see if it needs further lightening as it dries. It must be barely blue and barely there! It will change depending on the light in the room." —Rela Gleason, Rela Gleason Design
"A go-to blue for us is Borrowed Light by Farrow & Ball. The subtlety of the blue makes it one that we never tire of, whether it be for a serene bedroom or an airy kitchen. We love the way art and furniture hold contrast against it and the quiet wash of color it brings to our rooms." —Caroline Brackett, Caroline Brackett Studio of Design
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Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore
"I just painted my kid's room, as well as a formal living room for a client, Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue, which goes to show how versatile it is. A warm and energetic blue with a hint of green, it pairs well with a wide variety of colors: from red and pink to purple and green. Youthful yet sophisticated, the color is timeless, yet fresh and new." –Marea Clark, Marea Clark Interiors
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Riverway by Sherwin-Williams
"I am loving warmer blues right now, like Riverway by Sherwin-Williams, because their color wraps around you with a calming softness that still makes a statement. Whether on walls or millwork, [this color is] sure to have people asking, 'What paint color is that? I love it!' " —Nancy Charbonneau, Charbonneau Interiors
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HGTV Home's Debonair by Sherwin-Williams
"Debonair by HGTV Home with Sherwin-Williams certainly lives up to its name. This shade of blue evokes a feeling of casual luxury. The color is subdued, yet very confident. The great thing about this blue hue is it falls into a neutral blueish-gray category that tends to works with most colors in any room. I wouldn't be surprised if Debonair soon becomes a color of the year in the near future."—Mikel Welch, Mikel Welch Interior Design
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Pale Powder by Farrow and Ball
Westcott Navy by Benjamin Moore
Pigeon by Farrow and Ball
"It is beautiful and a more bold color that can blend into any of its surroundings like a chameleon. "- Melanie Pounds, Patina
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Lulworth Blue by Farrow and Ball
De Nimes by Farrow and Ball
"This color is described as a down to Earth blue, like blue jeans. A brilliant idea if you think about it. Denim is classic and goes with everything. You can use it in any space as muted version of a classic navy."—Park and Oak
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Cloudy Skies by Benjamin Moore
Polo Blue by Benjamin Moore
"We like Benjamin Moore Polo Blue.This color is such a great dark muscular blue that looks great on millwork or on the wall when drama and moodiness is needed. We love how it has an almost black look to it while being less harsh than most black paint colors. It provides such a classic look combined with burnished brass hardware and accessories in a library, bathroom or mudroom. We also love how it provides a great neutral backdrop to a cherished piece of art." —Mark Lavender
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Naval by Sherwin Williams
Blue Gray by Farrow and Ball
"Blue Gray by Farrow and Ball is a soft Blue with just enough of an undertone of green in it to blend into any landscape."- Melanie Pounds, Patina
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Sarah DiMarco Sarah DiMarco is the Assistant Editor at VERANDA, covering all things decor, design, and travel, and she also manages social media for the brand.
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What Colors Do I Need to Paint a Sunflower
Source: https://www.veranda.com/home-decorators/g28539782/blue-paint-colors/