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Black and blue (and brass): 2014’s edgy color combo

Annie Elliott | January 18, 2014

Remember how I said that a bossy color goal for 2014 was to use ever-edgier color combinations? And I mentioned black and blue as one of those combos?

Well, I’ve decided that this particular color pairing is worthy of more attention. Turns out I started using black and blue together last year without really registering it:

Blue, black and white dining room by bossy color

But we can go a lot farther, don’t you think? Especially with darker blues…

Black and blue: blue wall tile, lacquer door and claw foot tub

TWO blues plus black (three blues if you count Marilyn) = even edgier.

Black and blue: blue, light blue, and black living room

This makes me want to cry, it’s so amazing.
Black and blue: blue lacquered walls with black star wallpaper ceiling Black and blue: black, blue and white geometric tiled floorBlack and blue: navy twin bedding against gray fabric wall with black frames

Here’s the thing, though. I think dark blue and black needs a dash of warmth to be truly successful. Warmth in the form of, say…brass.

Black and blue: Blue restaurant walls with brass light fixtures

Or camel-colored leather.

Black and blue: black, blue and camel living room

Or old, foxed paper.

Black and blue: black gallery wall with warm brass accents

But brass is the best, given its warmth AND shine.

Black and blue and brass: Emily Henderson designed bedroom

I think Emily Henderson is singlehandedly responsible for bringing brass back as today’s metal of choice. (She designed the bedroom above….if Jamie Drake is my style hero, Emily Henderson is Bossette Katherine’s.)

I’ve always chosen brass for house hardware — hinges, doorknob plates, etc. — but I  wasn’t bold enough to use it for faucets or light fixtures right away. Girls’ got cojones, Emily does. Made of brass, obviously.

Black and blue: Blue velvet sofa against black walls with brass lamp

Try some black ‘n blue, Gentle Readers. Then add a dash of brass, give yourself a high five, and marvel at your handiwork.

Quoted most recently in The Wall Street Journal and on Washingtonian.com, Annie Elliott is an expert in curated interiors, brilliant color palettes, and telling people what to do in the nicest way possible.

Category: Bedroom, Color + paint color, Kitchen + bath, Living Room + Family RoomTag: black and blue, black walls, blue butler's pantry, blue dining room, blue living room, blue velvet sofa, blue wall tile, blue walls, brass, brass light fixture, Emily Henderson, Jamie Drake, navy blue

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Green, light blue, and a touch of navy come together to create a room that's bright, welcoming, and incredibly summery 🥰 🥰 🥰 #interiordesign #summercolors

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Aug 7

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Given that my brain is still on an academic calendar 🤷‍♀️ , I thought I'd do a little review and see which blog posts resonated with you the most in 2025-26. Who knew that a post from 2011 (!!!) is still in the top 5! Click over to the post to to see the year’s greatest hits. #interiordesign #designinspo

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Jul 24

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Get ready for a dramatic before and after! We transformed a playroom into a dining room, and the result is pretty amazing. (But still fun!) #wallpaper #interiordesign #diningroominspo

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Jul 22

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For today’s Wallpaper Wednesday, we discuss the chinoiserie wallpaper in the Great Hall at  @citytavern_dc  in Washington, DC. Ooooohh - field trip!I was delighted to visit City Tavern recently. It’s a historic 1796 Federal building in the heart of Georgetown, and all the cool kids hung out there. You know, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson…those guys. At one point, the building boasted the largest room in Washington.I, of course, was captivated by the Great Hall, which is covered in @graciestudio hand-painted wallpaper — which was selected by none other than Jackie Kennedy! EVEN THOUGH at that time the building was a club that didn’t admit women. Harumph.The chinoiserie walls are gorgeous from far away, but they’re amazing up close, also: you can see faint brushstrokes left by the painters. Doesn’t that give you a shiver? I love it.

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Jul 21

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For a recent article in @vogueliving, I was asked how to mix wallpapers — either in the same room or adjacent rooms. I have a few pieces of advice to offer 😊See my latest blog post for more…#interiordesign #designblog #wallpaperinspo

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Jul 8

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Star-studded wallpaper on the ceiling childish? Not necessarily! Here are the differences between babyish and grown-up star themed wallpaper. #wallpaper #interiordesign

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Jul 4

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Happy Independence Day! I happen to love a room decorated in red, white, and blue. It’s not always gimmicky; wouldn’t you agree that the dining room below is bold and sophisticated? 🤪 My advice: vary the shades (clash those blues if you have to!), throw some large-scale patterns into the mix, and add texture. A grasscloth ceiling, for example 😉 Have a great 4th, everyone!#interiordesign #homedecor #pattermixing

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Jul 3

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I was honored to co-chair — with the inimitable @ianthainteriors — the design competition, America at 250: The New Look of American Design, a project conceived by the nonprofit MADE: In America.Design students from Howard University partnered with Washington Design Center showrooms to create storyboards and vignettes reflecting their vision of “American style.” The Design Center is showcasing the students’ work through July 10; admission is free and open to the public. Details may be found at the link in the @washingtondesigncenter’s bio.I encourage you to visit! It’s so important to support the next generation of designers, and I was delighted to participate in this event. Iantha and I are grateful to James De Lorbe, Chairman of MADE: In America; and we extend our warmest thanks to jurors @melissacolganinteriors, @mariella.cruzado,  @gaildavisdesigns, @val_hawkins_architect, @hadleykeller, @byronrisdon, and @jazmynedesignstudio.

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Jul 1

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Happy Wallpaper Wednesday! This week’s guest star: Schumacher’s Birds & Butterflies. It’s so whimsical, yet so grown up! Creatures on wallpaper can be a tough sell to adults, but Birds & Butterflies’ black and white background is quite sophisticated. (That’s why the Multi on White is my favorite colorway. I wouldn’t bother with the others.)The pattern is derived from a hand-printed 1960s wallpaper in the Schumacher archive. It’s certainly earned its place in the Exuberant Prints collection, don’t you think?#wallpaperinspo #interiordesign #roomdesign
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