4/21 - Shades of Modern: The Blues

I've tried for years to find a mid-century modern blue paint for my dining room that goes well with blonde furniture (such as light maple and wheat-finish Heywood-Wakefield), but once I get it on the wall it always seems to look more Caribbean/Southern Florida than modern. Do you have a few favorite blues I could try out? I usually buy Benjamin Moore paint, and have used 212 as a pale yellow/neutral in most other rooms -- where I display my collection of Atomic Starburst dinnerware and other mid-century modern collectibles (mostly in blue/aqua, sea foam green, lime, and red-orange). Thanks for any input!  - Julie


Don't feel too blue about your choices. You are unconsciously influenced by the times you live in. What am I talking about? In everytime period there is a collective consciousness in art, music, etc. and color is no exception. In the late 50's and 60's, blue (think TWA uniforms) was one the influencers, so many colors have a blue cast - neutrals were very peachy, oranges were more rust. In the 70's yellow was the cast (think Harvest Gold) so neutrals were warmer, greens more olive. Then we had the 80's and in came reds and purples (think mauves and Nancy Reagan) beige's went pink casted, greens deepened to pine and fuchsia was hot! So, back to you, Julie. We have been coming off a warming trend but warm tones are still very popular - teals, reds, golds and warm browns, (newest now are 80's redo's but look forward to the basic nineties with stones, whites and grayed shades) so when you go to chose a blue you unconsciously go to a warmer shade (tealy). I think what would be authentic would be more of a cornflower or sky blue and would set off the yellow tones of the wood beautifully. Since Wedgewood Blue (YIKES!) and cornflowers may be authentic but hard to live with, go lighter and a tiny bit more yellow with Benjamin Moore's Watercolor Blue #793, Mediterranean Breeze#799, or (less warm and the best one in my light), Soft Sky #807. Often when looking to do a retro color it's pays to do a little research. Go to a library and look at books in color from the time period or a vintage clothing store with clothing from the decade you are researching. Colors should be similar in items from the time period given this collective theory and you just may have to lighten and neutralize them to please today’s eye. Remember lighting in the room is key and color is a backdrop for what's in the room. Good Luck Julie!