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Singin’ The (Ocean) Blues

Hello everyone, before you look at these gorgeous pictures below I just wanted to thank all of you who subscribe to the blog. I hope you enjoy the daily posts and that you find a little something that interests and inspires you every day.

I haven’t missed a single day’s post since I set up Mad About The House about two-and-a-half years ago and for that reason I have decided to take August off to recharge my design batteries.

But I didn’t want to leave you with nothing so I am going to take you on a voyage of rediscovery of some of the best, and most popular posts of the last two years. Some of you will never have seen them, some of you will have forgotten them and some of you will, perhaps, just enjoy anew a daily feast of images. The sharp-eyed among you will also notice some updates and edits, so it’s not entirely the same old thing.

The Mad House will open again on 1 September with the usual daily posts of objects of design, save or splurge, the househunter and Mad About. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy revisiting some of these.

Thank you once again for subscribing, you make it worthwhile and I’m thrilled that you have chosen to invite me into your inbox every day.

Have a great August, Kate x

I love the colour of the ocean. So much so that my engagement ring is an Aquamarine. So here, in a rather radical departure from the usual muted monochromes, we are mostly Mad About …  ocean blues.

velvetmoondiaries.blogspot.com
velvetmoondiaries.blogspot.com

Just look at that rich colour. Doesn’t it make your heart sing. I have never used it in my house but I’m definitely starting to think about it. Also called teal, depending on which version you look at, it’s the Dulux colour of the year for 2014.

Bayside Bedroom
Bayside Bedroom from chichoteblog.com

With walls like that every day would feel like summer wouldn’t it?

georgianadesign.tumblr.com
from georgianadesign.tumblr.com

If you’re scared by this vibrant colour, and I have to admit that I am a little bit, take note of the room above. All the colours remain very neutral so that bright turquoise doors really pop out and hold the space together.

decoracionfacsimilo.com
decoracionfacsimilo.com

The same trick has been done in this kitchen where the strong blue walls and units are paired with a simple wooden floor.

teal living room
from homesii.com

It’s great with a pop of muted coral isn’t it?

industrial kitchen teal wall from decodice.com
industrial kitchen teal wall from decodice.com

But I could definitely get used to the idea of teal in an industrial style kitchen.

Design Candy: Munch On These Monochromatic Delights
from davinong.com

This is a very pretty and soft version of ocean green.

bungalow1a.com
bungalow1a.com

Here it has been beautifully matched with natural wood and a cowhide rug. It’s a little softer than with the black seen above.

elleohblog.blogspot.com
elleohblog.blogspot.com

If you want to try this at home (because it’s only paint you can you know) then have a look at Farrow & Ball’s Blue Ground or Dix Blue.

Or what about using tiles?

fired earth paris cabaret tiles
fired earth paris cabaret tiles

These are from the Fired Earth Paris range and would be wonderful in a bathroom.

For more sea green have a look at my Pinterest board



 

 

 

 

 

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.

14 Comments

  1. Oh yes, teal, turquoise or ocean blue (everyone call it different) is a beautiful colour. Always reminds me of summer. I think, if whole wall in this colour is too much for someone, small accessories could be a great addition to the room.

  2. You might have converted me to colour with this post. Have a great holiday. Sounds like you’re well overdue a break. Look forward to the ‘best of’ blog posts this month as I’m a relatively new follower. Best wishes, Sophie

  3. This is my favourite colour and I love all the beautiful pictures you found. The colours and finish on the first picture’s walls is breathtaking!

  4. lovely colour – i have rubber floor and Aga in this colour and just bought much stronger paint from Fired Earth in the same zone that I am probably going to have to dilute.

  5. Lovely! I’ve just started wearing my turquoise jewellery again now I’ve got a bit of colour, reminds me of Greece. I’m trying to decide what colour to do my bedroom at the moment, we may have a winner – albeit that I might just do the wardrobes in distressed aquamarine rather than the whole room.

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