How to Decorate with Navy
Navy might not just be the new black; it could be the new neutral. Many dark tones can feel stark and gloomy, but navy provides a well-balanced blend of both richness and intensity. Translation: It can easily warm up a place while still offering a nice contrast (yet managing to work well with just about every color). No need to send Kenly Lambie the memo. As the principal designer and founder of San Francisco’s Studio Muir, she turns drab rooms into vibrant, interesting spaces every day. We asked her for advice on how to decorate with this season’s trendiest color, and she gave us the scoop.
1/4Pair it with anything and everything
If you ask Lambie, navy makes an exceptional base color for just about any room. “We often use dark navy as a neutral base because it can be a beautiful complement to other warmer tones, particularly wood, brass, and brick," she says. Plus, it can help “bring out the blues of otherwise ordinary gray-tone marbles.”
2/4Brighten up
When it comes to picking out the right shade of blue, Lambie believes the brighter the hue, the better. “Rich blues tend to be our favorite because the color can change beautifully and dramatically throughout the day, depending on the light,” she says. Test your color out in a space with plenty of windows to discover its intensity at different times of day.
3/4Create your own color
If you can’t seem to find the right navy for your space, mix your own paint color. “If you find a navy that you love, but it isn't quite right for the room, don’t be afraid to customize it,” says Lambie. “We will often add a little black or even a touch of green to forge the perfect color.”
4/4Go gray
Still in doubt about using navy? Lambie recommends going grayer. “Of all earth tones, navy—especially if it has a fair amount of gray in it—can be a great alternative to black.” She adds, “It can be a lot more subtle than other dark shades, which allows all the softer elements surrounding it to really shine.”
