Color: 12 Ways to Love Turquoise
A lot of my friends go giddy for orange, but turquoise — the color of swimming pools and Mad Men office doors — entrances me. More luminous than teal, warmer than blue, a turquoise wall brings sea and sky indoors. Turquoise accents are unexpected treasures, like beach glass in the sand.
Take a look at these uses of turquoise at home, and you'll want to capture some of that treasure for yourself:
Take a look at these uses of turquoise at home, and you'll want to capture some of that treasure for yourself:
High gloss
New Zealand designer Mal Corboy specializes in open kitchens that are “always on show, not hidden away,” and he believes in color that makes most of the spotlight. This turquoise is a Resene paint color called Scooter covered in 15 coats of laquer. Buffing between coats gives the finish a depth and gloss. Stainless steel, white porcelain tile, Corian counters, and polished concrete finish the look.
New Zealand designer Mal Corboy specializes in open kitchens that are “always on show, not hidden away,” and he believes in color that makes most of the spotlight. This turquoise is a Resene paint color called Scooter covered in 15 coats of laquer. Buffing between coats gives the finish a depth and gloss. Stainless steel, white porcelain tile, Corian counters, and polished concrete finish the look.
Happy neutral
Here turquoise plays a supporting role, creating a playful backdrop for favorite piece of art, a sculptural table, and bright orange dahlias.
Openings in the walls allow the golds in this happy interior to bounce from stair to ceiling, while the turquoise defines this small landing as a delightful room of its own.
Here turquoise plays a supporting role, creating a playful backdrop for favorite piece of art, a sculptural table, and bright orange dahlias.
Openings in the walls allow the golds in this happy interior to bounce from stair to ceiling, while the turquoise defines this small landing as a delightful room of its own.
Spa style
Layers of tile and glass create a soothing personal water world in this Austin, Texas master bath. The small Hakatai mosaic tiles give the room a "fineness," says architect J.C. Schmeil. And the turquoise relates to a pool off the bedroom.
Layers of tile and glass create a soothing personal water world in this Austin, Texas master bath. The small Hakatai mosaic tiles give the room a "fineness," says architect J.C. Schmeil. And the turquoise relates to a pool off the bedroom.
Icing on the cake
Turquoise and brown create wonderful contrast in this confection of a kitchen. The fine matte lines of the chairs and candles balance the heavy gloss of the table, much like piped frosting on chocolate cake.
Turquoise and brown create wonderful contrast in this confection of a kitchen. The fine matte lines of the chairs and candles balance the heavy gloss of the table, much like piped frosting on chocolate cake.
Luxurious texture
Turquoise costars with chocolate again in this sumptuous home theater. This time, the color goes super tactile with deep velvet cushions and floor-to-ceiling drapes.
Turquoise costars with chocolate again in this sumptuous home theater. This time, the color goes super tactile with deep velvet cushions and floor-to-ceiling drapes.
Harmony
The arc of the roof meets the horizon line in this light-as-air combination of lines and curves. The turquoise-tinted glass makes it seem as though a piece of the sky came to rest on this hill.
The arc of the roof meets the horizon line in this light-as-air combination of lines and curves. The turquoise-tinted glass makes it seem as though a piece of the sky came to rest on this hill.
Night sky
By day, this dark turquoise is an invigorating frame for contrasting white accessories. By night, it drapes you in its soothing hue and welcomes dreams.
By day, this dark turquoise is an invigorating frame for contrasting white accessories. By night, it drapes you in its soothing hue and welcomes dreams.
Accents and surprise
As much as I go bonkers for turquoise, less can be more. This home's artful touches of my favorite blue-green (in the chairs and out the window) are understated and intriguing.
As much as I go bonkers for turquoise, less can be more. This home's artful touches of my favorite blue-green (in the chairs and out the window) are understated and intriguing.
Classic update
Turquoise and red rekindle their romance in this retro sitting room. The mid-century look gets a contemporary update with brighter, cleaner versions of these classic colors.
Turquoise and red rekindle their romance in this retro sitting room. The mid-century look gets a contemporary update with brighter, cleaner versions of these classic colors.
Place of calm
Every room needs a focal point, and this barrel-shaped lampshade does it for me. In a room packed with texture and detail, the smooth and simple band of turquoise offers a calm resting place.
Every room needs a focal point, and this barrel-shaped lampshade does it for me. In a room packed with texture and detail, the smooth and simple band of turquoise offers a calm resting place.
With orange!
This photo goes out to my orange-loving friends. Thanks to complementary positions across from each other on the color wheel, our favorite hues get along just fine.
Tell me: What color do you go giddy for? Let me know in the comments!
This photo goes out to my orange-loving friends. Thanks to complementary positions across from each other on the color wheel, our favorite hues get along just fine.
Tell me: What color do you go giddy for? Let me know in the comments!
Crisp rectangles of turquoise and green become striking minimal art here, taking the place of heavy cabinets or wall hangings. The shapes have a print-like quality, almost like Pantone swatches, and the objects hanging on them seem to float on air.
Extending the turquoise beyond the edge of the wall is an inspired touch. The corner almost disappears, making the room feel larger and more fluid.