As many of you know, I love any shade of blue from the dark petrol for the Career sector, to aqua, egg shell tones to a clear sky blue. Blue is the colour of water for Feng Shui people and it is my favourite place to be. To sit beside the beach, a lake, on a dock, winter or summer and with a blue sky, is my happy place and space. Blue is just starting to appear in French navy in the shops. Sofas, cushions and bed linen have finally changed from the dull beiges that seem to be a hang over from the last four years or more. Don’t get me wrong, I love these soothing tones but enough with cocooning, we need to get out and about and also feel alive and even if it winter, a bit of blue decor can cheer us up.
Feng Shui First
Blue belongs in the Career and Life Path sector. This is often the front door entry point in to the whole house, apartment or living space. Dark deep sea blue belongs here and partners well with silver and chrome and a pure white. It is a mixture of the Water and Metal elements as Water is said to polish Metal in the Feng Shui cycle – not rust it! We have often painted the inside of a dark a dark blue or charcoal and it looks so chic and clean.
Blue also belongs in the Self-Knowledge sector but this is partnered with the Earth element and leans to more of a green blue base or sky blue. Before people panic and wonder if they have to paint a room blue, the colour can be added in the actual decor and a soft green can also be used. Our bedroom is in this sector and we have used this colourful mixture within the bed linen. It matches well with creamy ivory tones and soft lemon shades and is a happy and gentle room to be in. A friendly reminder, no electrical appliances in the bedroom if possible and that means no tv or laptops! Having said that, I have worked with people who have studios or one room to live in. Working with the client, we have sectioned off the desk or study area and put appliances away at night behind screens or in cupboards. One enterprising student put up an expandable rod between a space and had a curtain to screen of the work section in her studio. It looked smart and she agreed that she slept better and felt that her worklife was separate and hidden and that she had an actual bedroom.
What If I am Renting?!
This is a question often asked but there are solutions. More DIY, restoration or hardware stores have stick on tiles that easily peel off. These can easily be put on floors and walls to add colour and an attractive decor. As mentioned in other posts, ask your owner if you can paint a door or wall. Many will say yes as long as you restore the place back to the original decor. I once lived in a shabby, not chic, French apartment and the owner let me pull up the sad, orange plastic floor in the entrance. It was painted with dove grey cement paint and a chic black, grey and white mat was placed there. An old wooden hook stand was painted a darker grey and he loved it and when I left, it stayed the same. Just take photos of before and after to be careful but there are so many options these days to upgrade your space if renting.
If In Doubt, Add Cushions!
I joke but so often, people just need to change curtains, cushions, a rug, art work and it can all be done on a tight budget. I love watching renovations and recently saw a Youtube video where a young woman upgraded a 1980s beige and dull bathroom by painting it all white, tiling one wall with subway tiles and painting the tired cabinet a brilliant navy blue. By the way, tiling is easier than you think, I have done a kitchen splashback and it is all about measurement and a spirit level. She added new chrome fittings, a fun piece of modern art in navy and white, a navy shower curtain and bright navy patterned towels. What a difference! So off you go, think out of the box, check out Youtube and you may surprise yourself! Blue is not about the blues, it is about the brightness.
