House of Blues

Designer Andrew Howard helped a Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida family create an energetic home using blues in every shade, layered patterns in various scales, and textures for oomph. Here, Howard shares his secrets to decorating with this favorite Southern hue.

Jazz up a matching dining set by adding wing chairs in indoor/outdoor fabric—Amazing Maze by Schumacher. A glass “coral” chandelier and fearless painting seal the unconventional deal.

THE PALETTE

1. Light Gray: (walls) Alaskan Husky (1479);benjaminmoore.com

2. Blue Gray: (trim) Boothbay Gray (HC-165); benjaminmoore.com

BRIGHT IDEA: A stormy blue ceiling adds more drama than the usual white.

Kick traditional Americana up a notch with a palette of red, white, blue—and camel.

Even the room’s patterns riff on familiar American prints like the chairs’ gingham-inspired cushions and the quiltlike sofa pillows. Mod, sharp-lined furnishings bring a sophisticated counterpoint to the cheery color scheme.

Chair fabric: Mark Alexander’s Tashkent Indigo and the rectangular sofa pillow fabric: Cowtan & Tout’s Philmore in Red Tulip, both available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575. Stools: Luna Raffia Ottomans; madegoods.com

THE PALETTE

1. Navy: Commodore (SW 6524); sherwin-williams.com

2. Camel: Popcorn (9-28); prattandlambert.com

3. Red: National Red (RL2212); ralphlaurenpaint.com

Don't be afraid to build an entire space around a tile that captures thepale blue of ocean waves.

Painting the cabinets a soft white (and choosing durable white Caesarstone counters) lets the backsplash be the focus.

Pendants: Henry Industrial Hanging Light with White Shade; circalighting.com Tile: 3 x 6 Urban Hues Glass Tile in Cloud; southcypress.com Barstools: Dual Seat Counter Bench; leeindustries.com, upholstered in JANUS et Cie’s Bloom in Vert, available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575

THE PALETTE

1. Light Blue: Pale Powder (204); us.farrow-ball.com

2. White: (cabinets) White Diamond (2121-60); benjaminmoore.com

3. Yellow: Daisy (SW 6910); sherwinwilliams.com

BRIGHT IDEA

Punchy yellow floral slipcovers dial up the energy of a subtle palette.

Go for broke with color in a small space.

“I wanted a closet that felt like something no one had ever seen,” says Shannon. Howard responded by turning the 175-square-foot space into a glamorous, glossy cobalt dressing den. He also fit the closet with a window for natural light (the most flattering kind) and plenty of storage like built-in cabinetry and an island that provides space for folding clothes and storing accessories.

Wallpaper: Schumacher’s Flame in Cha-Cha, available through DCOTA; 954/921-7575. Chandelier: Markos Hanging Shade in Polished Nickel; circalighting.com

THE PALETTE

1. Cobalt: (cabinets) Newburyport Blue (HC-155); benjaminmoore.com

2. Coral: Animated Coral (SW 6878); sherwin-williams.com

3. Aqua: Nephrite (22-6); prattandlambert.com

BRIGHT IDEA

Don't overlook the ceiling! Think of it as a fifth wall for a bold pattern or shade.

Increase the visual impact of a bed by placing it against a bodly papered wall. 

To complement the tiedye-like print, Howard matched the window trim and molding to the wallpaper’s turquoise shade. A mint green ceiling softens the transition from bright wall to ceiling. Soft-raspberry bedding offers an elegant alternative to hot pink. Simple Roman shades and white furniture balance out the vivid color and pattern.

Wallpaper: Scion’s Shibori in Lagoon, available through ADAC; 404/231-3938

THE PALETTE

1. Turquoise: (trim) Peacock Blue (2049-40); benjaminmoore.com

2. Pink: Primrose (RL2133); ralphlaurenpaint.com

3. Mint Green: (ceiling) Forget Me Not (2049-60); benjaminmoore.com

BRIGHT IDEA

The 1970s scalloped bedside tables used to be yellow, but white paint brought them up to date.

Design a kid-friendly space where guests of all ages can gather.

The teal and chartreuse of the botanical wallpaper guides the palette. A wall of built-ins with vibrant teal fronts and plush window seats atop open shelving frees up floorspace for a stylish adult-size sofa and chairs.

Wallpaper: Garden City in Bustle; missprint.co.uk. Chairs: Major in Alloy White and coffee table: River Stone Cocktail Table; mgbwhome.com

THE PALLETTE

1. Chartreuse: (ceiling) Citronella (SW 6915); sherwinwilliams.com

2. White: (trim) Calm (OC-22); benjaminmoore.com

3. Teal: (cabinet fronts) Wilmington Spruce (754); benjaminmoore.com

BRIGHT IDEA

The resin coffee table weighs less than 5 pounds! The kids can move it themselves to create more play space.