At home, the charm and versatility of navy
The charm and versatility of this dark blue shade may surprise you.
“Navy is classic, and it goes with everything,” says designer Zoe Feldman of Washington, D.C. “It adds warmth in a room and gives depth to walls. And you can have fun with it, too.”
Pair dark blue with white or red for a crisp, traditional look, or marry it with magenta or chartreuse for something unexpected. Navy can be considered a masculine color, but mixing it with certain shades, such as pink, purple or teal, can bring out its feminine side, Feldman says.
Other colors that mingle especially well with navy include mustard, red, emerald, gray and black.
Paint walls navy in entry spaces, dining rooms or libraries with a high-gloss finish and keep the trim light, Feldman says. She also says the color looks great on kitchen cabinets. Some of her favorite paints are Hale Navy, Midnight Navy, Admiral Blue and Starry Night Blue by Benjamin Moore, and Drawing Room Blue and Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball.
If you find the color appealing but are apprehensive about dark, glossy walls, try painting a piece of furniture. A dresser, bedside or occasional table, or even a front door, can get a big dose of personality with a new coat of navy paint.
In her own home, Feldman updated an old bookcase by painting it blue.
“[It] was super boring, so I painted it a high-gloss navy,” she said. “It modernized it and made it more interesting.”
Of course, there are other ways to introduce the darkest of blues into your home without paint. Upholster a sofa or a chair in a rich, navy velvet. Dress your bed, windows or floors in a graphic navy pattern. Accessorize your tables and shelves with navy pillows, linens or shapely vessels.
“Every color goes with navy,” Feldman says. “It’s one of the few colors that that’s true.”
No matter what your color scheme, a spot of navy should feel right at home.
Where to find them
Zuri Sea panels, start at $25, www.zgallerie.com
Strasbourg chair in indigo twill fabric, $1,017, www.ballarddesigns.com
Indigo Chi Chi Kari rug, starts at $375, www.madelineweinrib.com
Palm Beach Demi Lune table in club navy, $1,760, www.oomphonline.com
Mina tablecloth, starts at $78, www.anthropologie.com