Design Happens

In March and April, we put the final vote on our Color of the Month to you, our readers. But for May, the debate narrowed down so quickly to a tie that I decided to ask Leanne Potts, our VP of Editorial, to cast the deciding vote. Here’s how she described her pick: This color makes me think of desert skies, Caribbean water and delphinium blossoms. The shade suggests serenity in an age of tumult.

In the week that followed Leanne’s tie-breaking vote, tumultuous events rapidly unfolded, including the outbreak of tornadoes in the South. I think you’ll agree – we all could use an infusion of serenity.

Here’s a small dose in the form of our May Color of the Month:

When Kayla Kitts made a passionate pitch to our color team for Pantone’s Regatta blue, I noticed that stress levels in the conference room almost instantly faded away. (This marks the third time our Color of the Month pick matched Pantone’s color forecast guide. The last time was navy in December.) To me Regatta embodies what I call a bluebird sky. (Avid skiers know what I’m referring to.) It’s a blue so pure, hopeful and energizing, I always incorporate it in my bedroom decor. Here are five spaces that feature Regatta blue along with insights from our color team on why it works.

Photographer Greg Scheidemann

Camille Smith, Decorating/Handmade Editor: Having recently returned from Spring Market in High Point, N.C., I can tell you that blue and white is the combo to watch. Crisp, clean and classic – this no-fail pairing, here with Regatta blue, always reminds me of summer and tropical locales.

Photographer James Merrell

Chelsey Bowen, Decorating Editor: Regatta blue is embraced in its fullest in this dining room. Rustic elements, from the floors to the oversized mirror, balance the traditional wallpaper to create a classic meets Provencal design.

Canadian Home

Nina Iorg, HGTV Shopping Manager: The combination of blue, pink and black accessories is unexpected for living room decor. I love the playful yet sophisticated punch of color Regatta blue in particular adds to this neutral, contemporary space! It makes the room just feminine enough and just masculine enough to help everyone feel at home.

ABC Home

Kayla Kitts, Assistant Editor: Regatta blue can be paired with a wide range of equally intense colors. I love that the Capellini Ribbon Stool from ABC Home is what I first notice when I look at this vibrant space; among all the pink, the attention-grabber is the small dose of Regatta.

House to Home

Karli Sanders, Assistant Editor: I love the depth that Regatta blue gives this informal dining room. Imagine this space with all-white walls — it would seem lazy. The Regatta takes an otherwise boring space and gives it a total design makeover. The magic of well-chosen color.

By the way, an essential qualifier for our Color of the Month pick is that it be available in stores. Here’s a handful of sources for incorporating Regatta blue in your designs.

Paint + Wallpaper + Textile Picks: Sherwin-Williams Danube ;  Pratt & Lambert March Wind;  Surface View Multicoloured Paisley;  Farrow & Ball Drag 693

Shopping Picks:

1. Hive elvis table lamp; 2. Marimekko koppelo bowl; 3. West Elm wood mantel clock; 4. Graham & Green blue floral bone inlay mirror; 5. ABC Carpet & Home vintage blue bench; 6. Horchow blue flower message board; 7. Horchow blue bench

So what do you think? Has Regatta blue infused you with feelings of felicity? Isn’t it the perfect color for May flowers brought to us by April showers?