There’s ‘nothing but blue skies’ in this £7.5m apartment: take a tour

Be inspired by this marvellous monochrome apartment

From royal blues to vibrant cerulean, this luxurious Manhattan apartment gives the impression of having stepped into the heart of a lustrous sapphire. The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath Park Avenue property was painstakingly renovated over the course of two years by interior designer Alexa Hampton with one overarching theme, that every one of its nine rooms is expertly appointed in shades of rich blue.

Playing with pattern

From the glorious double-height entryway complete with a sweeping staircase and blue floral de Gournay wallpaper, the home flows into an elegant living room, where vibrantly patterned carpeting, chairs and curtains are offset by a soft baby blue wall colour. In spite of the rich tones and multiple prints at play, the space is prevented from feeling dour or cluttered by the light wall colour, white ceilings, and plenty of natural light. This jewel of the Upper East Side is listed for $9.3 million (£7.5m). 

Blue and green SHOULD be seen

In the formal dining room, meanwhile, the majority of the wall space is covered in lush green velvet, which accentuates the other pops of blue throughout the room. Blue leather chairs with embroidered backs, an assortment of Ming vases, and a delicately patterned blue rug all draw the eye in their turn. However, the true highlight of the room is the thin band of blue and green patterned wallpaper below the chair rail, which serves to draw the entire colour scheme of the space together.

Coloured cabinetry

Just off the dining room, an elegant butler’s pantry serves as the gateway to the kitchen. Here, vibrant colonial blue cabinetry is accented by warm teak wood countertops and a white marble splashback. Beyond the butler’s pantry, the kitchen boasts a fabulous matching colonial blue hooded Viking range, with complimentary blue curtains and valences.

Dark blue draping

Upstairs, the home’s primary bedroom is a blaze of patterns, and, you guessed it, shades of blue. The room’s focal point is the oversized canopy bed, whose curtains and skirting feature a different but complementary pattern to that of the fabric covering the head and footboards. Solid blue panelled walls and carpeting allow the eye a bit of a rest, but the ceiling is a different story, painted in a chequerboard pattern with contrasting squares of dove grey and slate blue.

Feeling inspired? Read on to discover more brilliant blue decorating ideas... 

READ MORE: Cool blue décor to try at home

Looking for blue decorating ideas? Wash away the old and bring in the new year with a beautiful new colour scheme inspired by the oceans, mountains and rivers. From soft watery tones that will calm a bedroom to vivid inky indigo that will make a bathroom dramatic, click or scroll through to check out these tips to transform every room...

Marvel with a mural

Mural wallpaper can be a cost-effective way to add character to any room. This striking blue landscape of Japanese trees and mountains expands the sense of colour and space in a neutral grey living room. This wall effect is surprisingly much less of a commitment than paint as many murals peel off as easily as they go on.

Make a period bathroom perfect

Rooms with glorious period features like sash windows and high ceilings deserve a luxurious look, so make a bold statement with a dramatic dark blue. Here, top-to-toe botanical tumbling foliage looks amazing on this bathroom feature wall, and the placement of the tiles is practical for withstanding splashes.

Decorate around a blue sofa

An inky blue sofa will anchor a living room to make a strong and striking statement. Balance out the dark injection with stone walls, whitewashed floors and a grey rug, and add a hint of lustre with metal accessories such as this reflective pendant light. Match full-length curtain fabric to the comfortable seating for a perfectly polished finish. 

Try cool mountain blues

The colour geniuses at Valspar have put together 12 trend-worthy palettes that are meant to evoke warmth, calm and comfort. This hypnotic shade of deep blue is called Mountain River, and it calls to mind the smoky blue ridges of the uppermost peaks. Used in a bedroom it will create a relaxing sleep space, and it works beautifully with neutral shades and warm wood for an easy bedroom upgrade.

Reach for royal blue

'Royalcore' is having a real moment thanks to our current obsession with the British royal family, The Crown and, of course, Princess Diana. It's even made an impression on this year's interior trends. Deep and luxurious, royal blue takes its name as this pigment was derived from the semi-precious stone Lapis Lazuli, so only the very wealthiest could afford it. 

Pair powder blue with chocolate

Take a tip from your favourite TV designers and tap into the new powder blue shade created between HGTV and the high-end paint Sherwin Williams. This cool, airy blue called Aleutian was a former colour of the year and its red undertone bridges the gap between the warm and cool tones we are bringing into the home. 

Go big on pattern

This fabulous hallway makes a big statement, thanks to this incredible patterned wallpaper using a rich royal blue. The secret to using pattern in a small space such as an entryway is to keep it large-scale and go for something with a light base. But honestly, once this is up on the wall, you can't really go wrong!

Energise with electric blue

This saturated, rich electric blue works equally well in a contemporary or period setting. Try it on this year's hottest decorating trend, panelled walls, to create a striking snug that feels energised and yet sophisticated. It's got a lot of green in its base, so if you are feeling brave try pairing it with emerald for an unexpected colour combo.

Dress the windows

A room with high ceilings and plenty of light will allow for a layered palette of blue in the bedroom. Here, walls and shutters are painted an indulgent petrol blue for a dramatic yet streamlined look. Wallpaper behind the bed features a leafy green palm print over an indigo backdrop to create a stormy tropical vibe. The upholstered headboard adds an air of luxury for a truly dreamy sleepspace! 

Give monochrome a twist

If your living room is already decorated with neutrals, accessories are the easiest way to add atmosphere with blue. This monochrome living room has been transformed into a stormy and dramatic scene with blue, black and grey scatter cushions and dramatic large-scale artwork on the wall pulls the tones and pattern together. 

Mix with new trends

Japandi is a fusion between classic Scandinavian and Japanese minimalist looks. Throw a harmonious blue tone into the mix and the results are stylish and calming. Here, Japanese-style panelling and windows create a subtle but linear backdrop for socially-arranged and inviting blue furniture. It's ultra zen! 

Create a statement splashback

If the thought of getting a blue kitchen seems a bit risky, you can bring in a dash of blue with tiles (or flooring, or even a statement ceiling). These fish scales tiles have been paired with pink grouting in a sleek neutral kitchen, creating a dramatic feature that doesn't dominate the space. 

Bring in boho flooring

Make the floor the feature, with a refreshing combo of fresh white and blue! A shiny vinyl floor that echoes Moroccan-style tiles is vibrant and decorative. The white walls, bed frame and bed linen keep the room light-filled and bright, while inky blue soft furnishings and accessories pull out the rich hues of the exotic statement floor.

Use multiple textures

Blue doesn't have to overpower a room to make an impact and by mixing up the shades and textures you can create a more subtle scheme that looks interesting and eclectic. Start with a beautiful blue painted roll-top bath to make a sophisticated statement and then go for a mismatched sink. Traditional Victorian-style wall tiles marry the grand scheme together. 

Dramatise the kitchen

Update your kitchen with dark cabinetry. Shaker-style kitchens look super sophisticated when painted midnight blue. Swap handles for brass cup drawer pulls for a luxe touch, and feature blue enamel pendant lights above the kitchen island for Downton Abbey tradition and drama. 

Cool down with coastal tones

Create a coastal-style living room that evokes holiday vibes with a textured feature wall in a deep ocean blue. Choose blue and white striped fabrics for instant seaside charm and a cool patterned rug to soften the white painted floorboards. Pop some nautical cushions on the sofa and finish the look with natural textures and shells.

Create a Miami mood

Vintage-style furniture upholstered in powder blue velvet transforms this living room into a retro-plush living space. The dramatic navy feature wall makes gold the additions pop and look super opulent. A swirly blue patterned carpet continues the retro glamour. 

Chill out with blue and grey

Transform your living room into the ultimate chillout zone with subtle shades of grey and bold blue accents. Team matt grey and white walls and drop in a low-level corner sofa. A mix of cobalt blue and denim cushions, as well as a colour block paint stripe, pick out a built-in rug effect in a statement carpet. Lean monochrome art against the wall to finish the relaxed style.

Keep it casual with industrial blues

Give your living room an industrial edge with a dark denim coloured sofa and a smart blue storage unit. The wood warms the space and an exposed brick wall adds texture, giving the space a loft feel. 

Warm up with natural materials

Instead of painting a whole wall, you can create more of an impact with a modern and striking half-wall block effect. Measure and prep the walls with painter's tape to create a crisp straight line and then create a contrast combining a deep blue tone with a soothing neutral such as cream or pebble grey. Complete the scheme with furniture made from natural materials for a relaxing coastal-style room that doesn't feel themed.

Paint all the walls blue

Blue is a restful shade, and so perfect for a calming bedroom. Balance out the saturated colour with white woodwork and natural wood flooring and then temper the effect with bed linen and soft furnishings in grey and white shades. 

Go two-tone in a modern kitchen

Blue decorating schemes look sensational in contemporary kitchens. Ice blue wall cabinets make a refreshing backdrop in this large and chic kitchen while the darker island and sink unit creates an on-trend, two-tone effect. Team with black window frames, crisp white walls and charcoal-coloured worktops to finish the edgy and striking statement. 

Work in teal wallpaper

Teal blue in the bedroom creates an opulent look that harks back to grand old houses. This vibrant wallpaper features flamboyant peacocks perched on floral branches and is inspired by designs from the 1870s, reminiscent of traditional Chinese silk. A bright lamp in a zingy citrus colour picks out the shades in the wallpaper, and the luxurious teal velvet bed proves you can layer the tone beautifully.

Go for boho blue

Add a moody statement in the living room with draped fabric in dip-dye blue shades that echo ocean waves. Hang them as a backdrop to smoky blue velvet furniture and bring in driftwood-style accessories to finish the abstract coastal scene. 

Create a classic blue bedroom

Swapping bedding is the simplest way to bring blue into the bedroom. For a classic look, layer up pretty florals with lupin blue backgrounds to create a seasonal and inviting space. If you are able, a lick of matching blue paint on one wall will make the colour a firm feature and cocoon the room.

Go for blue fitted wardrobes

All that is needed in this charming bedroom is an occasional chair and statement pillow in buttercup yellow to break up the block colour of these stylish and practical blue fitted wardrobes. Attention to detail makes a difference too; the metallic handles and painted radiator make a stylish finish to this well-thought-out bedroom. 

Escape to the country with pale blue

A cooler blue tone is perfect for rustic schemes, especially when used with a delicate pattern. These statement bathroom tiles featuring trailing florals in cornflower blue make the perfect country style statement teamed with pale blue wooden panelling and a classic white washstand. 

Opt for an ombre wall

Add movement and drama to your home with an ombre feature wall. This fabulous watercolour paint effect is created with shades of aqua and indigo blue, blending them together with textured brushstrokes that remind us of diving into the ocean. Stunning!

Try a fresh palette

Transform an open-plan living room into a relaxed seaside scene with a calming palette of sandy neutrals and sun-bleached white, offset with waves of deep ocean blue. Accessorise the coastal colour scheme with weathered wood and wicker for a relaxed and airy feel.

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