Tangled Up In Blue

Cobalt blue may be having a moment - in both interiors and fashion - but the hue has a rich history. Cobalt is silvery-blue metal in its raw form, and was used in Chinese porcelain and Babylon ceramic glazes because of the vibrant color created when fired. Throughout art history, blue was considered a color for divinity and royalty - from the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs to paintings of the Virgin Mary cloaked in a blue robe - establishing the color as representative of the spiritual and metaphysical.

Mask of King Tut

French artist Yves Klein altered the course of Western art with his monochromatic blue paintings, ultimately registering the cobalt hue International Klein Blue (IKB).

Yves Klein's "Le Buffle" Photo: Nathan King/Alamy.

I love seeing how different designers are weaving it into spaces - whether it's through tile, paint, or a small accessory like a light fixture (as seen in our Harrison St project). It's a fun way to bring a bold pop of color, yet it feels timeless as opposed to trendy. Check out some of my favorite interior applications below - I hope you'll be inspired to bring this hue into your home or wardrobe!