Indigo a gogo

While indigo stimulates creative thinking, it also evokes meditation and deep thought. It brings strength and clarity to an interior making it a haven of warmth and comfort.

Colour has a transformative quality that provides us with such a feeling of protection. Blues bring an element of serenity and calmness to our homes. When they appear in rich, saturated tones, they provide an element of security and cosiness in their cocoon-like effect. These are the places to turn to if you’re seeking an impressive transformation in your home in which you’ll never want to leave.

The beauty of indigo is that it leaves a room feeling cosy, protective and comforting with its dark tones and rich character. Consider whether you want this feeling throughout your whole home. If so, do you want indigo alone or to combine it with other moody hues or brighter colours?

It might feel like you’re taking a leap painting your house in dark inky blue. Small dashes of this colour in the main bedroom or living room can bring a beautiful contrast to a lighter colour elsewhere in the home, such as the kitchen. It also provides a welcoming, sanctuary feel in its timeless tones.

If you want to start small, bring this on-trend hue in through a feature wall, a statement piece of furniture or a mural wall.

Sumptuous indigo tones that are on-trend now include the blackened blue of Resene Indian Ink, paler Resene Astronaut or violet tones of Resene True Blue. Continue the rich colour from the walls onto the ceiling for a pleasing effect. Use a matt finish, such as Resene SpaceCote Flat, on the walls and ceiling to bring out the colour’s depth, with trims, architraves and doors wrapped in your chosen hue, taking a leap by painting your wooden floorboards in the same colour.

Adopting a tonal effect by varying the lightness of your indigo between each room will provide a cocoon-worthy feel and interest with the contrasting shades.

For a winter setting using indigo, up your game when it comes to the senses and bring in memorable materials and details. This is a chance to let your home shine with lights and lamps too. Add shiny brass details such as fittings, a stand-out, glistening pendant and scented candles.

Curtains in a linen-cotton mix with a black-out lining drape softly on the floor, adding to the cosy aesthetic. Take comfort in soft textiles such as blankets, cushions and sheepskin rugs. Complete your setting with soft, velvet cushions in dusky lavender or deep, red-brown.

When it comes to your trims within a winter setting, bring in a gorgeous grey-blue for variation from the indigo such as the charcoal of Resene Denim Blue or the deep maroon of Resene Spitfire. Another way to celebrate your indigo paint colour is with complementary wallpaper. Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins suggests teaming your Resene paint colour with wallpaper that brings out these inky blue tones, such as Resene Wallpaper Collection IUM101.

For a room that receives little natural light, celebrate its darkness with indigo. If you need to break up this rich colour, the easy answer is to add textiles in bright or bold colours.

The beauty of indigo is how many other colours it goes with, such as bursts of bold colour, from mustard to turquoise, red to coral. Take the rich azurite blue of Resene Billabong, which resonates with the earthy tones of Resene Twine and Resene Noosa. Another ultimate partner with indigo is rose pink – try the hot pink of Resene Glamour Puss or more down to earth Resene Coral Tree. Either of these pretty hues will glow beautifully on trims or an accent wall within an indigo setting.

If you’re more inclined to adopt a cheerful, summer’s look, pair indigo with bright, summery colours such as the dark yellow of Resene Buttercup or the sunshine orange of Resene Carpe Diem. Add ochre and burnt-orange in artwork or cushions, with pops of turquoise for a zesty freshness.

Lighten your look further by way of white accents and plywood details for a fresh, nautical feel. Add a layer of accessories, such as mirrors, pendants and vases in round shapes that are easy on the eye. Crisp, white trims evoke a summery freshness, especially if you’re able to paint your floorboards pale with Resene Walk-on paint for a breezy setting.

Combine this with white furniture and pops of earthy tones and soft pastels in your décor if you feel you need more colour. Resene colour consultant Amy Watkins suggests bringing in mustard accents for a summer look, such as the energising Resene Tulip Tree or Resene Fuel Yellow.

The right finishes always provide the magic touch in an interior. To bring a luxe feel to your indigo interior, think of sumptuous surfaces under your fingers that bring a luxurious feel to your space, whatever room you’re approaching. In your bedroom, this might be satin or elegant cotton sheets or a glitzy, vintage chandelier. Let metallic finishes and jewel accent tones work their magic. In the kitchen and bathroom, marble surfaces and shiny mirror frames and plush towels will take your interior to the next level bringing a layer of richness and grandeur to your indigo walls.

For more of a minimal aesthetic, if your interior is white, add extra definition with indigo on your trims, such as arched doorways, window frames and cabinets. Soften this with timber furniture for visual softness or plush velvet cushions. Mid-century-style lighting and cabinets fit perfectly here. Keep your clutter to a minimum, keeping only on display what you use regularly. For a truly minimalist look, keep your cabinets, accents and joinery in the same tones as your walls, blanketing your interior in the same colour.

Within a surrounding light setting, a strong statement wall will evoke a simple, clean look.

No matter what style you choose, be it a token of this alluring shade or an interior immersed in colour, indigo is an alluring choice.

February 23, 2021

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