Long a sophisticated staple in the Pacific Northwest, the serene hue is taking the industry by storm

For the past few years, designers worldwide have been feeling the blues—in a very positive way. One of the most iconic and well-loved colours on the infamous wheel, blue has been a staple in fashion and decor for time immemorial. (Egyptian blue, pegged as the world’s first synthetic pigment, dates back more than 5,000 years.) Maybe that’s due to its ubiquity in nature or its association with calmness and serenity, but history and lore aside, shades like navy, teal, and midnight have long been staples in the interior-design industry. More recently, with a rise in the popularity of neutrals and pastels, a particular hue of blue is stealing the scene. Subtle, but not saccharine, with hints of grey, the colour is best encapsulated in Benjamin Moore’s Labrador Blue paint: Like your favourite pair of worn-in jeans, it’s a classic yet relaxed option.

Part of the beauty of this hazy tone is its flexibility. Add a drop or two of teal for a jewellike finish, as seen in Lodes’s Oblò collection, where the marine-inspired glass pendants replicate the tint of sun-reflecting waves. In a more textural approach, French design firm Le Berre Vevaud upholstered its modernist lacquered-black bench in an eye-catching linen-and-wool blend that softens the seat’s stark profile. Another piece that combines blue and black is De Castelli’s Marea cabinet in stainless steel. A collaboration with Italian design firm Zanellato/Bortotto, the wardrobe’s simple lines are a canvas for a prominent ombré treatment. On the softer side of the spectrum are the Miniforms Nami table, specifically in the Lacquered Nuvola finish, and Fantoni’s Panorama workspace solution, both of which underscore the colour’s versatility in a wide range of settings and prove that sometimes, being blue isn’t all that bad.

Panorama, UNStudio

The blues have hit the office, and UNStudio’s Panorama modular system, designed in collaboration with Fantoni, helps fight some of the visual drudgery of generic workspaces. Introduced in 2023 on the coattails of the pandemic-induced work shift—specifically as more companies asked their employees to return to the office—Panorama consists of recyclable chipboard components (all made from 100 per cent recycled wood) that can be configured into 20 settings for companies of all sizes.

Oblò, Paola Navone

The Oblò lighting collection made its debut at Milan Design Week 2024, its shape and colours taking inspiration from the romantic lore of the sea. Presented by Lodes in three sizes designed by Otto Studio’s Paola Navone, the Pyrex-glass orbs demonstrate the flexibility of modular lighting: Two hung in a small space add functional flair, and a large grouping over a dining table or in an entryway makes a strong creative statement. “Oblò” is the Italian word for “porthole,” but these pendants are reminiscent of old glass buoys, finished with a tied cord that hearkens back to the intricacies of knotted naval ropes.

Marea, Zanellato/Bortotto

Like an oil slick in the sun, the surface of the Marea cabinet seems to shimmer and change as the light hits. An effect inspired by the idea that metal is not a static material, the finish is created as craftspeople apply multiple layers of an oxidizing solution to the panels, resulting in an ethereal, painterly appearance. Designed by Italian studio Zanellato/ Bortotto and fabricated at De Castelli’s headquarters in northeastern Italy, the Marea cabinet is one of several pieces in the collection, which also includes a chest and a sideboard.

Goa, Le Berre Vevaud

Part of French design studio Le Berre Vevaud’s second collection, Empreinte, the Goa bench brings together brutalist forms and a contemporary bent. Its brushed-black solid-oak seat sits on three high-gloss-lacquered steel legs at one end, and a large wooden sphere on the other side creates a striking visual imbalance. The upholstered cushion comes in a variety of fabrics, from which Métaphores’s Zanzibar—a sturdy blend of linen and wool—in the Ocean colourway stands out as the top choice for a laid-back and lived-in look that elevates the piece’s material mix.

Nami, E-ggs

A modern take on classic bentwood-furniture construction, the Nami table brings a playful spirit to a utilitarian object. Designed by E-ggs studio for Miniforms, the piece’s wavelike base creates a single geometric-sawtooth shape (larger versions have up to three) that shakes up the simple silhouette expected from a kitchen or conference table. Topped with the frosty-blue Lacquered Nuvola colour, the Nami feels fresh, inviting, and familiar—what more can you ask of a place where friends gather?

This story was first published on Robb Report USA. Featured photo by OTTO Studio