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From art galleries to your living room: this unusual colour is bang on trend

Pia Seidel
28.6.2024
Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Once a year, Milan Design Week reveals what’s trending or back in fashion. This year, it’s International Klein Blue (IKB) that’s taking over. After museums, it’s now conquering living spaces.

Yves Klein painted around 200 monochrome paintings with his characteristic International Klein Blue (IKB), an electric blue developed by the artist. Despite his repetitive work, the French artist never seemed to get bored. Au contraire. He discovered new things because he was looking closely. This way of working was in stark contrast to modern society, which prioritises anything new. But it did allow him to deep dive and make a colour symbolising the infinite and immaterial his trademark.

These days, the rich blue keeps popping up in the world of interior design instead of paintings. At the last Milan Design Week, I came across numerous pieces of furniture and home accessories in shades of blue inspired by Klein’s signature hue. It seems they emphasise the ongoing fascination with his legacy.

The vibrant blue of the Objewellery mirror series by Yurina Kira decorates the room.
The vibrant blue of the Objewellery mirror series by Yurina Kira decorates the room.
Source: Pia Seidel
Wgwg by Team Aaa reflects faces and the courage to use colour.
Wgwg by Team Aaa reflects faces and the courage to use colour.
Source: Pia Seidel
This aluminium dining table focuses on contrasts: it combines the trend colour with silver.
This aluminium dining table focuses on contrasts: it combines the trend colour with silver.
Source: Pia Seidel

The rediscovered interest in Klein’s blue could be part of a broader movement towards eclectic interior design. For example, established brands such as Thonet, but also young design labels such as Vero International and Studio Frederik Fialin have integrated the sparkling blue into their latest collections.

Fredrik Paulsen chose the fluorescent colour for his Wavy Chair by Vero International to make the design even more distinct.
Fredrik Paulsen chose the fluorescent colour for his Wavy Chair by Vero International to make the design even more distinct.
Source: Pia Seidel
Designer Natalia Criado created a tray in electric blue called Onda.
Designer Natalia Criado created a tray in electric blue called Onda.
Source: Pia Seidel
Sculpted chair: This My Ode ultramarine blue solitaire’s is Jiří Krejčiřík’s reinterpretation of the iconic Thonet chair 14.
Sculpted chair: This My Ode ultramarine blue solitaire’s is Jiří Krejčiřík’s reinterpretation of the iconic Thonet chair 14.
Source: Pia Seidel

Its comeback shows the enduring appeal of Klein’s blue in modern design. It’s appreciated for its eye-catching vibrancy and often used as a contrast to the rest of the setting.

Thanks to its colour, the Frosting Loop candle holder is an eye-catching centrepiece on the table.
Thanks to its colour, the Frosting Loop candle holder is an eye-catching centrepiece on the table.
Source: Pia Seidel
It was created by studio Form & Seek
It was created by studio Form & Seek
Source: Pia Seidel

As the showcased items in Milan show, this iconic blue adds a bold highlight to any room and harmonises with both neutral and other rich colour palettes. So if you’ve acquired a taste for electric blue and want to make an interior design statement – these are my favourites from our range.

Hübsch Chico (20 x 10 x 35 cm)
Mirrors
−27%
CHF79.90 was CHF109.–

Hübsch Chico

20 x 10 x 35 cm

Oyoy Table Lamp Kasa 50 cm, Blue (0 lm, E14)
Table lamps
CHF141.62

Oyoy Table Lamp Kasa 50 cm, Blue

0 lm, E14

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Pia Seidel
Senior Editor
Pia.Seidel@digitecgalaxus.ch

Like a cheerleader, I love celebrating good design and bringing you closer to everything furniture- and interior design- related. I regularly curate simple yet sophisticated interior ideas, report on trends and interview creative minds about their work.

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