When we compiled the best colors for decorating in August earlier this month, we found that cool blues were particularly popular, so it’s no surprise that this shade is Sherwin-Williams’ Color of the Month.
Described by Sherwin-Williams as a “cool denim blue,” Smoky Azurite is a versatile blue color that could be just the right shade for your home this time of year as summer comes to a close and we transition into fall.
To learn more about this standout August color, we spoke to Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams, who tells us how to best decorate the whole house with Smoky Azurite.
“Smoky Azurite SW 9148 is a welcoming and relaxed shade of blue with yellow-grey undertones that add a touch of sky-like softness to a room,” explains Emily.
“Selected from our Colormix forecast 2024 Blue and green Palette, Smoky Azurite SW 9148 is a transitional shade that can add depth to a room full of neutrals and earthy tones. It’s a perfect marriage with cool tones to keep a room modern and inviting from summer through fall.
Blue is generally considered one of the most relaxing colors and is versatile in combining with many different design styles and colors: from traditional to modern. However, highly saturated shades of blue can overwhelm rooms, draw too much attention and have the opposite effect of calming. Smoky azurite, on the other hand, has a muted quality that makes it incredibly restful and timeless.
“This cornflower blue can be used as a modern twist on a traditional look or palette. It adds freshness and life while making a statement in any home,” adds Emily.
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
There are endless ways to decorate your home with Smoky Azurite, no matter your decorating style. If you like to decorate with neutral colors, Smoky Azurite is soft enough to blend harmoniously with simple color schemes; but it also works with more vibrant tones for maximalist decorating ideas.
“Smoky Azurite SW 9148 can bring a sense of love and lived-in feeling to a home,” says Emily. “It will liven up a cottage or English country-inspired space when you incorporate traditional wood furniture and grain, subtle and muted rugs and even wall paneling.”
This blue color works well as a midtone for kitchen cabinets if you want to add interest to the heart of the home without being too bold with your kitchen color ideas.
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)
In a utility room or boot room, Smoky Azurite is a great color choice for cabinets, adding interest to these hardworking, functional spaces that often use a purely neutral palette. “This rich blue tone can be used in a utility room when applied to built-in cabinets to create an unexpected but casual pop of color,” says Emily.
Finally, Smoky Azurite is a good colour to experiment with colourful ideas for a bold, expressive look. “If you want to add a fresh twist to traditional style, it can be used to create a colourful update in the living room,” adds Emily.
Looking for more seasonal color inspiration? Check out the best colors to decorate with in August: Five trendy hues designers are decorating with to mark the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
