Blue kitchens are certainly having a moment but, as with all interiors trends, longevity is a key factor when committing to a scheme – especially in a room as important as the kitchen. These projects from the archives show that a blue kitchen, whether an innovative modernist space or classic country design, can certainly last the test of time.
The Parisian kitchen inspired by an architectural legend
The joyful colours in the Parisian home of designer Sandra Benhamou were chosen from Le Corbusier’s famous ‘Les Couleurs’ palette. Sandra opted for a duck egg blue for the living room, whilst the kitchen cabinetry is cloaked in a deep cobalt with bespoke handles inspired by the geometric nature of Italian architect Carol Scarpa’s work.
A contemporary cornflower blue kitchen in Paris
This pared back kitchen was a contemporary addition to the grand Hausmann apartment of jeweller Seiichi Takeichi and his partner Philippe in Paris. The dusty cerulean cabinets are paired simply with Jaime Hayon’s ‘Analog’ table for Fritz Hansen and rattan chairs from Maison Gatti.
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Concrete and colour by Studio Rust
The chromatic power of Klein blue is matched by the heft of exposed concrete in this kitchen by Studio Rust. The bold colour also works to dial down the sparse industrial feel of the space – the cornflour ‘Flow’ bar stools are by Defne Koz and Marco Susani for True Design.
A blue kitchen with a pop of black
Designers Adelaide Testa and Andrea Marcante devised a soothing, complementary palette of blues and greens for this Milanese apartment. In the kitchen, they installed custom-made sky blue units, made by Falegnameria Fiore, alongside lacquered wall cabinets, while a dramatic black laminate worktop adds a touch of drama to the otherwise tranquil scheme.
A punchy cobalt kitchen by Sam Buckley
Designer Sam Buckley is known for his fearless approach to colour and this London home is exploration of shape and form, too. The Tetris-like kitchen cabinetry in a zingy cobalt pairs with a sleek stainless steel counter – the angled drop, which cleverly mimics the shape of the cabinets, was devised by Sam to accommodate the low height of the windowsill.
The classic country kitchen with a twist
This sprawling Cotswolds property, home to a Canadian family with a taste for eccentric British decorating, is an international take on the English country home. ‘The kitchen had to hold its own with the bold look we had planned for the rest of the house but also remain practical,’ says designer Henri Fitzwilliam-Lay, who matched the powder-blue cabinetry with granito tiles from Mosaic del Sur. ‘The checkerboard pattern is traditional but the vibrant colourway gives it the contemporary pop we were after,’ she explains.
A blue chalet in the Dolomites
Architect Stefan Rier went all in with a blue palette in his home in northern Italy. The striking combination of warm wood and deep-sea shades make for a distinct take on the traditional chalet. In the kitchen, glazed terracotta tiles by Domenico Mori decorate the island, which is topped with brass. ‘Sahara’ pendant lights by Karman hang above and sliding Formica panels on the back wall hide storage cupboards.
The Melbourne home with rich jewel colours
Designers Fiona Richardson and Belinda Hall kept this kitchen light-filled and bright by restricting the deep, inky blue paint colour (‘Kenepuru’ by Dulux) to just one wall. Meanwhile, the verdant green of Matthew Stanton’s North Johnstone River #1 from Fletcher Arts adds another hit of jewel-like colour to counterbalance the swathes of pale marble cladding the walls, units and countertops.
