French blue with a twist

French blue refers to a colour that brings to mind the elegance, sophistication and style often associated with French culture.

Traditional yet trendy, ‘French blue’ has an enduring appeal that transcends time. Be it Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Breathless or Resene Pattens Blue, this pastel hue is having a moment in the interiors world. It makes sense – why wouldn’t we want to channel ultimate French sophistication?

French blue refers to a colour that brings to mind the elegance, sophistication and style often associated with French culture. It typically refers to a shade of blue that is soft, muted and reminiscent of the sky on a clear day, or the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. With its subtle blend of blue and grey undertones, the hue boasts a sense of timeless elegance. It evokes images of sun-kissed villas perched along coastlines, adorned with weathered shutters and rustic charm. The colour stands out as the epitome of understated luxury in terms of interiors – thankfully, a fresh coat of paint is accessible for all of us and doesn’t require a trip to France.

Unlike bolder hues that may overpower a space, particularly a bedroom, French blue like Resene Duck Egg Blue has a soft, muted quality that complements a wide range of design styles. It pairs harmoniously with neutral tones such as crisp white like Resene Black White and warm beige like Resene Quarter Stack, creating a sense of balance and tranquillity. Similarly, it can also serve as a striking contrast against darker shades such as charcoal grey or deep navy – try Resene Ironsand or Resene Nocturnal – adding depth and visual interest to a space.

While pale blues have always held a place of prominence in interior design, the resurgence of the colour represents a modern reinterpretation of this timeless hue. French blue palettes offer a soothing antidote to a fast-paced world, infusing spaces with a sense of serenity and balance. In this bedroom, Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Forest Green is an unexpected but incredibly contemporary-feeling colour combination. The pastel hues create a retreat-like setting that oozes modernity, as well as encouraging a meditative state of mind.

The back wall, in romantic Resene Half Duck Egg Blue, sets the tone for a calming space. The front wall, a hint darker in Resene Duck Egg Blue, adds subtle contrast, while the floor colour stain washed in Resene Breathe Easy from the Resene We Speak Beach range enhances this sense of tranquillity. Skirting in mossy grey Resene Rolling Stone keeps the look crisp and adds a little more depth.

An upcycled cabinet adds drama and a touch of French sophistication to the room, sitting pretty in Resene Half Forest Green. To achieve this look, we prepared the surface with a light sanding and sealed the surface. We taped off the panels and handles, then painted the sides, top, and panel surrounds in Resene Half Forest Green, allowing time to dry before applying a second coat. We painted the edges around the panels and handles in Resene Forest Green Super Gloss – two coats for a glossy finish. Tape was used to create a keyline around the panels to add Resene Duck Egg Blue for a pop of colour.

Pale blues and mossy greens are a match made in heaven, likely due to their shared connection to nature. Both colours evoke images of the great outdoors – from the verdant hues of moss-covered forest floors to the beauty of a clear blue sky peeking through the canopy. Bringing elements of the natural world indoors is soothing, but choose your green and blue pairings wisely.

Some design tips to consider:

• Ensure that the undertones of the blues and greens complement rather than clash with each other. For example, if the blue has cool undertones, it may clash with greens that have warm undertones, resulting in a jarring and unbalanced look.

• Aim for a balanced approach by incorporating your greens and blues strategically as accents or focal points within the room. We have done this with our Resene Duck Egg Blue walls and the upcycled cabinet in Resene Half Forest Green.

To complete the green and soft French blue sanctuary, we’ve added accessories that complemented our colour palette and added more interest. A tall vase by the bench in Resene Half Tea, a tray in Resene Half Duck Egg Blue and a coffee cup on the bedside in Resene Greige add charm. A plant pot in Resene Drought grounds the lower area of the room. DIY artwork is a great way to tie in colours in your space and complete a look. We painted an abstract in this bedroom using Resene Forest Green, Resene Duck Egg Blue, Resene Half Hairy Heath, Resene Half Wood Bark and Resene Rolling Stone, adding personality to the space.

French blues are dreamy and ethereal, bringing to mind images of both chic Parisian apartments and rustic country homes. Inject a certain je ne sais quoi into your home with Resene Duck Egg Blue and Resene Forest Green, it’s a chic, fresh look that will stand the test of time.

Colours and products mentioned in this article

Styling by Moneuan Ryan. Photography by Bryce Carleton. 2024