Life

On Trend: 7 ways to work the world’s most calming colour into your home this summer

Sam Wylie-Harris puts her head in the clouds and takes her cue from azure skies…

<strong>5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, &pound;48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company<br /></strong>A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distressed vase of dried flowers. Duck-egg blue lends itself handsomely to bleached and light woods &ndash; and has a knack for transforming anything you pull together
5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, £48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company
A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distre
5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, £48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company
A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distressed vase of dried flowers. Duck-egg blue lends itself handsomely to bleached and light woods – and has a knack for transforming anything you pull together

OPENING the doors to blue skies and sea views (if you’re lucky) moves us in many ways, and chances are it makes you want to smile and take it easy.

Calm and serene, blue is often cited as the world’s most popular colour. And if you’re thinking of expanding your interiors to introduce a summer palette of blues, not only does it evoke positive feelings of serenity, you’ll also feel one step closer to the wild blue yonder.

For a sophisticated take, combine the palest wash with inky hues, or style solid baby blues with other cool homewares…

<strong>1. Blue Whale Lampshade, from &pound;65, Mountain &amp; Molehill<br /></strong>Available as a lamp or ceiling pendant with a choice of a white or gold inner, this lampshade is a real find if you&rsquo;re after something quirky and streamlined.
1. Blue Whale Lampshade, from £65, Mountain & Molehill
Available as a lamp or ceiling pendant with a choice of a white or gold inner, this lampshade is a real find if you’re after something quirky and streamlined.
1. Blue Whale Lampshade, from £65, Mountain & Molehill
Available as a lamp or ceiling pendant with a choice of a white or gold inner, this lampshade is a real find if you’re after something quirky and streamlined.
<strong>2. Palma Blue Glass Decanter, &pound;29.50, Oliver Bonas<br /></strong>Continuing the trend for palm prints and elegant decanters on home bars, this Palma blue vessel is tailor-made for all your drinking rituals, with just the right measure of wanderlust.
2. Palma Blue Glass Decanter, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
Continuing the trend for palm prints and elegant decanters on home bars, this Palma blue vessel is tailor-made for all your drinking rituals, with just the right measure of wan
2. Palma Blue Glass Decanter, £29.50, Oliver Bonas
Continuing the trend for palm prints and elegant decanters on home bars, this Palma blue vessel is tailor-made for all your drinking rituals, with just the right measure of wanderlust.
<strong>3. Grandfather Olaf Figurine &ndash; Blue (sample clearance), &pound;54, Mineheart<br /></strong>This owl head bust may have a slight manufacturing defect, but we think that&rsquo;s part of his charm &ndash; after all, even a wise old owl has had a few scrapes along the way. Dressed in period costume and inspired by nature, Grandpa Olaf is a hoot
3. Grandfather Olaf Figurine – Blue (sample clearance), £54, Mineheart
This owl head bust may have a slight manufacturing defect, but we think that’s part of his charm – after all, even a wise old owl has had
3. Grandfather Olaf Figurine – Blue (sample clearance), £54, Mineheart
This owl head bust may have a slight manufacturing defect, but we think that’s part of his charm – after all, even a wise old owl has had a few scrapes along the way. Dressed in period costume and inspired by nature, Grandpa Olaf is a hoot
<strong>4. Set of 8 Framed Art, &pound;120, Next<br /></strong>With plenty of hanging possibilities, this set of prints in very attractive shades of blue flows beautifully together, and will transform a blank space into something serene and stimulating
4. Set of 8 Framed Art, £120, Next
With plenty of hanging possibilities, this set of prints in very attractive shades of blue flows beautifully together, and will transform a blank space into something serene and stimulating
4. Set of 8 Framed Art, £120, Next
With plenty of hanging possibilities, this set of prints in very attractive shades of blue flows beautifully together, and will transform a blank space into something serene and stimulating
<strong>5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, &pound;48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company<br /></strong>A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distressed vase of dried flowers. Duck-egg blue lends itself handsomely to bleached and light woods &ndash; and has a knack for transforming anything you pull together
5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, £48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company
A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distre
5. Tudor Blue Embroidered Velvet Cushion, £48 (other items from a selection), French Bedroom Company
A look to steal, we love this vintage-style applique cushion, especially when fashioned against a shabby chic bench and distressed vase of dried flowers. Duck-egg blue lends itself handsomely to bleached and light woods – and has a knack for transforming anything you pull together
<strong>6. Fiddle Leaf Fig &amp; Fractured Blue Pot, &pound;34 (&pound;29 Soho Home Members), Soho Home<br /></strong>A collaboration between Soho Home and Leaf Envy, this potted fiddle leaf fig plant loves ambient lighting (don&rsquo;t we all), and its broad dark leaves will freshen up any space. The fractured denim-blue pot is an added bonus
6. Fiddle Leaf Fig & Fractured Blue Pot, £34 (£29 Soho Home Members), Soho Home
A collaboration between Soho Home and Leaf Envy, this potted fiddle leaf fig plant loves ambient lighting (don’t we all), and its b
6. Fiddle Leaf Fig & Fractured Blue Pot, £34 (£29 Soho Home Members), Soho Home
A collaboration between Soho Home and Leaf Envy, this potted fiddle leaf fig plant loves ambient lighting (don’t we all), and its broad dark leaves will freshen up any space. The fractured denim-blue pot is an added bonus
<strong>7. Freya Bistro Set &ndash; Blue, &pound;89, Dobbies Garden Centres (in store)<br /></strong>Pretty patio, teeny terrace or galley kitchen, this boutique bistro set is rightly reserved for two.
7. Freya Bistro Set – Blue, £89, Dobbies Garden Centres (in store)
Pretty patio, teeny terrace or galley kitchen, this boutique bistro set is rightly reserved for two.
7. Freya Bistro Set – Blue, £89, Dobbies Garden Centres (in store)
Pretty patio, teeny terrace or galley kitchen, this boutique bistro set is rightly reserved for two.