WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog

WELCOME to Nest by Tamara blog
Hi- It's Tamara. I'm happy you've stopped by, and since 2010 I've been sharing my passion for interior design, history, art, entertaining, travel & fashion. I am an interior designer, textile designer and writer living and working in New York City and East Hampton, Long Island. My musings have taken me to international design, art, antique and epicurean events and I have lots to share. I'm grateful to have been listed as the #1 top design blog, blogs to watch, top design blogs and named and awarded Rising Star of Design by the IFDA NY industry organization. Please feel free to reach out to our team for an interior design consultation at NestbyTamara.com -Tamara

Friday's Why In Design: The color blue and summer...beach house love on Nest by Tamara!


photo via
Let's talk color in design:
Moody Blue
 photo we took of Lucy Vincent Beach, Martha's Vineyard
blue is 
my favorite color for decorating
photo we took Menemsha beach sky and sculpture
infamous home hugging cliffs: Bridgehampton, Long Island via
why do so many of us love it in our homes?
photo we took: Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard
 blue has a soothing influence, 
yet the color is quite powerful as well.
the color of the ocean and sky can evoke strong feelings.
photo we took: hydrangeas Edgartown, MV
one glance of cerulean summer hydrangeas 
has the power to transform a mood
Miles 2004
My son's steel blue eyes melt me
 photo we took: historic home in Garden District, New Orleans
In interiors,  I often choose blue paint with a little green to give it some edge
photo we took: my navy painted antique glider and pool toys

when using navy blue in outdoor furniture and decorating, 
the color feels nautical and regal





the navy furniture and cushions combined with the aqua water at my beach cottage is a good color combination set against the green grass

photography by Don Freeman via HouseBeautiful 
varying colors and intensities of blue used in outdoor areas 
and screened in porches often has a beautiful result. 
And, don't get me started on painted blue floors or ceilings...
"Walters Wicker Sea grass sofa and armchairs are covered in a Brunschwig & Fils cornflower blue and white plaid, which makes the screened porch an inviting spot for family gatherings. Ceiling color is Morning Glory by Benjamin Moore"  House Beautiful
speaking of porches, we painted our little screened in porch floor at our beach cottage
this pretty color 
(Fine Paints of Europe  Hollandlac Satin Zuirderzee blue
and it makes the small space pop!
we used the leftover paint to transform antique anchor andirons!

If blue is one of the most popular colors in interior design (accents, paint color, fabric, wallpaper and decorations) I understand why -- it simply takes us places no other color does.  Sometimes in interior design we want that calming element and the color blue does that for us.  
a beautiful aqua blue pillow in Christopher Hyland's home

a gorgeous textured blue chair juxtaposed against the pretty blue toile 
from Jane Churchill fabric collection
I love the result of my all blue toile bedroom 
(Brunschwig & Fils toile fabric everywhere)
 see some  favorite views of blue rooms:

NYC designer Timothy Whealon's subtle use of blue entices in this Park Avenue bedroom
Celerie Kemble's lacquered blue walls are sophisticated 
Lonny magazine
David Kleinberg and Peter Pennoyer interiors 
photograph Simon Upton via Veranda magazine
this dining room is sleek and cool, 
especially when paired with neutrals in a tailored space.
Michelle Workman's beautiful kitchen design for celebrity, Jennifer Lopez was featured in 2010's Veranda magazine.  
It is one of my most favorite uses of blue in a kitchen and the blue/gray against the chunky white counter top and set against the dark black stove is a perfect result!

how gorgeous is this blue combination by
decorator Christopher Maya in Architectural Digest magazine

finding the right tone of blue can be tricky.  
Please take note of my 
favorite blue paints 
for interiors:
Farrow & Ball's Chinese Blue can work in both modern and traditional interiors (right) 
Benjamin Moore's patriot is a perfect navy, not too dark (left)
Parker Paint's Waterside is cool and light, but not pastel (right)
 Benjamin Moore's heavenly is a lovely blue with a touch of green (left)
 And, I love Donald Kaufman paints -- about #44: 

"In the guest room, Northampton Stripe headboards from Hinson & Company. Bedding by Leontine Linens. Walls are painted Donald Kaufman Color DKC 44" 
House Beautiful

Well, since we are smack right in the middle of summer, it's time to think about blue, but trust me, once January settles in you'll be happy you added that bit of blue when you need the sunshine and ocean influencing your home!

for more blue inspiration, 
check out my "NESTING BLUE" 
Pinterest board

Happy Nesting XO