Bring blue into your home: thanks to textiles, accessories, and small pieces of furniture that tell extraordinary stories, the shades of the sky create a holiday atmosphere that lasts all year round.
There's a way to extend summer without packing your bags: bring the sky into your home. In this home, the Y House in Bodrum , Turkey, overlooking the Aegean Sea, azure and blue run through every room like a common thread, evoking light, open horizons, and that pleasant lightness we associate with summer. It's not just an aesthetic choice: when we use them to color our homes, sky-blue hues can contribute, in their own small way, to our well-being. If you like them, know that there's more than one reason to choose them:
- are among the more relaxing nuances of the color palette
- our brain immediately associates them with calm, serenity, freedom
- slow down the perception of time
- amplify the perception of space
- they transmit a feeling of freshness and order
These aren't impossible shades; in fact, you'll find them easy to match , as they interact naturally with the materials and colors that typically characterize all homes. If you want them to look their best and bring their benefits to your city home (where the blue of the sky is often sorely missed), pair them with:
- natural materials (from wood – especially ash, oak and light walnut – to leather and stone)
- neutral colors, if you want to create chic and timeless combinations (with white, gray, beige)
- most sought-after shades, if you are looking for refined solutions (with sage green, cognac, burgundy)
You don't need to paint every wall or invest a fortune in pale blue furniture, and you don't even have to worry about coordinating everything using the same exact shades: it's better to explore different hues , from pastel to powder to baby blue (because the sky is never the same color!), and distribute them through a few elements that characterize each space. A couple of blue pieces per room are enough, but they must be absolutely unique in terms of design, materials, and stories , just like the ones we've featured below: among iconic armchairs, romantic swings, rugs in the clouds, multitasking chandeliers, foldable vases, plates to look out on, and watercolor mirrors, we bet you'll find pieces of heaven that will make you soar every time you look at them, every time you experience them.
In the kitchen of the Bodrum home, touches of blue share the spotlight with white, light wood, and metal. The result? Open spaces, brightness, and harmony.
KITCHEN IDEAS
The Y House kitchen is contemporary and convivial. It has a Nordic soul, where white meets the warmth of wood and where delicate touches of blue give character to the space . If you decide to paint your table setting blue, choose tableware as light as the sky, but with a significant history. An elegant option is offered by FM Lifestyle (a brand created by interior designers Fabio De Mari and Maurizio Angotti Borda) with the Finestre a Milano capsule collection of furnishing accessories , which includes artistic porcelain pieces that pay homage to the charm of Milan's period buildings and their refined details—windows, fixtures, perspectives—capable of telling stories and defining the city's unmistakable style. Plates, bowls, cups, candles, trays, vases, containers, and even cushions are decorated with windows from which to look out and peer into the sky.
Another touch of blue in the kitchen can be found in the choice of textiles: if your dinnerware is white, you can make it stand out against a blue & Co. tablecloth, like the Riviera model by Borgo delle Tovaglie . Not only is it made of fine linen, with a wide contrasting border embellished with a precious entredeux, not only is it handcrafted to measure in the brand's Bologna tailoring workshop, but it also boasts a practical stain-resistant treatment that makes everyday life easier and every occasion more enjoyable.
On the left, fine porcelain tableware by Finestre a Milano, designed by FM Lifestyle Studio: circular tray ø27,5 cm, €190; set of two coffee cups, €140; small bowl ø10 cm, €35; cylindrical vase ø14xh22 cm, €170 – fmlifestyle.itOn the right, Riviera tablecloth by Borgo delle Tovaglie in stain-resistant linen, available in various sizes, starting from €288 – borgodelletovaglie.com.
If you're looking for tableware that tells ancestral stories, you'll fall in love with Pottery & Poetry 's porcelain and hand-glazed plates, crafted by skilled artisans in Sofia, made exclusively to order to avoid any environmental impact. The founding partners are longtime friends: Mimì (Maria Baleva), an architect with a passion for ceramics and the driving force behind the brand, and Zori (Zornitta Genova), a lawyer with a flair for poetry, whose words accompany each carefully packaged package. Over time, they have been joined by other ceramists and artisans: the tableware they create is a tribute to the rich tradition of Bulgarian artisanal ceramics, honoring centuries-old, slow, manual techniques, without the use of potter's wheels, combined with a contemporary vision to keep a precious heritage alive for future generations. These are unique creations that elevate the everyday and inspire us to find art in everyday life.
To store and protect them, use a glass cabinet . There are spacious wooden ones, reminiscent of those found in old-fashioned homes, but we suggest this one from Mustard . It's called The Collector , and it's made of ocean-colored enameled metal, with fluted glass panels that give a sense of lightness, and adjustable feet. An indispensable addition, as useful as it is dramatic.
On the right, a setting for two by Pottery & Poetry consisting of: two dinner plates (ø24, 26 or 28 cm, starting from €92 for a set of 2); two bread/dessert plates (ø16 cm, €56 for a set of 2), a pair of bowls (capacity 350 ml, €76 for a set of 2), potteryandpoetry.comOn the left, glass and metal cabinet/display cabinet, The Collector by Mustard, 85x40xh170 cm, €899 – mustardmade.com.
Around the dining table, you can arrange blue chairs , all the same or all different—the choice is yours. We chose the CH24 Soft by Carl Hansen & Søn in FCS-certified beech and hand-woven natural paper cord. It is the first model that Hans J. Wegner designed exclusively for Carl Hansen & Søn in 1949, and has been in continuous production ever since. Characterized by a unique shape, the chair features a distinctive Y-shaped backrest and armrests crafted from a single piece of steam-bent wood. Over a hundred production steps are required to make each piece, most of which are still performed entirely by hand today. It is a collector's item reinterpreted by Ilse Crawford in nine soft shades of translucent, non-toxic, water-based paints.
In the dining room of Y House in Bodrum, the large table is illuminated by contemporary metal pendant lamps. If you want your lighting to be blue (and cutting-edge), Martinelli Luce has created Avro , a suspended lamp with a dimmable LED source. It conceals a power outlet in the lower part of the diffuser , eliminating the need for a wall outlet near the table. This makes it easier to use devices that require electricity, transforming the dining table into a functional workshop for your creativity. A table power strip with three 230V Schuko sockets and two USB ports is also available as an accessory for the lamp.
On the left, CH24 Wishbone Chair by Carl Hansen & Søn, design Hans J. Wegner and Ilse Crawford, 55x51xh76 cm, €675 – carlhansen.comOn the right, Avro pendant lamp by Martinelli Luce, design Studio Natural, ø 60xh25 cm, €1.281 – martinelliluce.it.
The living area of the Y House teaches that large spaces don't necessarily have to be overstuffed: just a few pieces are enough to make a space interesting, livable, and welcoming. With pops of blue and light blue, it conveys calm and serenity.
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IDEAS FOR LIVING
In the living area, hints of sky can be found in statement pieces and small decorative objects. The key is to choose a couple of blue accents that resonate with each other and use more than one shade to avoid the risk of monotony . Our favorite chair is Archibald , an icon of style and comfort by Poltrona Frau and designed by Jean-Marie Massaud in 2009, which now has a new upholstery. Archibald Denim Edition , in fact, is dressed in Everdenim , a certified organic cotton jacquard fabric featuring the typical twill structure of denim, with a slub warp and a worn look inspired by the stonewashed effect of jeans. This youthful yet refined look is completed by double-stitched yellow stitching and a base in the new antique bronze finish, inspired by rivets. A leather label on the back bears the words “ Archibald Denim Edition. Unique, like you .” Irresistible.
In the living room of Y's house, a classic circular coffee table stands between the armchairs, which you can replace with a more modern and surprising solution: Double by D-Segno . This smart coffee table combines minimal aesthetics and everyday functionality . Made of painted metal (in this case, lake blue), it's perfect as a side table in front of the sofa, but used horizontally it also becomes a practical bedside table or a micro workstation. The top, with a built-in recess for cables and chargers, is designed to accompany you in small moments of relaxation, from your laptop to your book to your cappuccino.
On the left, Archibald Denim Edition armchair by Poltrona Frau, designed by Jean-Marie Massaud, 81x77xh76 cm, starting from €5.832 – poltronafrau.comOn the right, smart Double coffee table by D-Segno, designed by Alessandro Stabile, 42x25xh30 cm €129, 62x30xh38 cm €134,90 – d-segnohomeoffice.it.
Vases, candle holders, frames, and other objects: if you have a traditional wooden or metal bookcase, you can add splashes of blue here and there. But if that's not enough, you can do the opposite and give your living room a sky-blue shelving unit , even better if it's transparent and lightweight like Linzy , the freestanding bookcase from Viadurini Living.
Handcrafted in Italy, it's made of extra-clear, thick welded glass and can be chosen with or without lacquered wooden drawers. Instead of traditional arc lamps, you can add a touch of blue (and innovation) to the No. 2 pendant lamp by Muller van Severen , a design duo who created it out of necessity: their new home lacked a ceiling outlet above the table to connect a light source. So, they designed a wall-mounted lamp that resembled a line drawn in the air with crayons. Blue, in this case, but it also comes in several other colors.
On the right, freestanding glass bookcase, Linzy by Viadurini Living, 80x40xh200 cm, €5.372 – viadurini.it. On the left, pendant lamp n°2 by Muller van Severen in collaboration with Valerie_Objects, 75x25xh180 cm, €950 – mullervanseveren.be.
What to place on the coffee table or bookshelf? A vase is a common choice. But, as you've probably figured out, every blue piece you add to your space should inspire wonder . So, don't expect Yuki, the Remember vase we're offering, to be a simple container for a flower. Made of paper shapes arranged in sequence, it has an opening at the top that houses a thin glass cylinder. Simply unfold it thanks to its magnetic closure, add some flowers, and you've got a decorative statement piece, a colorful, fan-like ball that's also easy to store when not in use.
Yuki paper vase by Remember, ø 18xh25 cm – €19,90 – remember.de.
In the sleeping area, dedicated to rest, shades of blue encourage relaxation and banish worries. Why not give it a try?
BEDROOM IDEAS
The bedroom in this Turkish home boasts a spacious, light-filled space. Curtains are essential for blocking out the sun's rays and prying eyes, while a good light source gently diffuses it. As for curtains, the AM.PM curtains are the ideal weight for a perfect sheer. Made from washed linen and certified by Oeko-Tex, they have faux leather tabs that contrast with the celadon blue of the fabric. Naturally creased, they don't require ironing . Perfect lighting is achieved with a specially shaped lamp.
We chose Fortuny's iconic Atelier 32 , a masterpiece with a fascinating history. Mariano Fortuny loved experimenting with light and was a celebrated inventor and stage lighting technician, so much so that his creations are still used today in prestigious theaters around the world. Fortuny floor lamps are the result of his experiments with indirect and diffused light: Atelier 32 is part of the 1907 Studio collection, which reintroduces the famous floor lamp designed in 1907 , but with new finishes.
It features a 360° rotating and tilting lampshade and is crafted from gold-leaf coated aluminum , combined with a solid steel frame, accented with a pastel blue finish. It comes with a dimmer switch and is guaranteed to cast a magical light on your favorite spaces.
On the left, AM.PM linen curtain available in various sizes, starting from €98,99 – laredoute.it. On the right, Atelier 32 floor lamp by Fortuny, ø32xh142-220 cm, €2.123 – fortuny.it.
When it comes to textiles, the Y House bedroom area offers an idea worth copying right away: it doesn't just offer blue sheets, but goes further, using a multitude of pillows, which you can choose from a wide range of shades and patterns, to create your own personal comfort zone. The key is to steer clear of overly obvious choices and focus, for example, on texture, creating a sort of refuge on the bed made of pillows that, just by touching them, evoke beautiful emotions. Like this one from Furbish Studio , embroidered in cross stitch with a humorous message that will make you smile.
The back, however, is in soft, solid-color velvet. You can place it on the bed or on the rocking chair, a perfect seating option for the bedroom: a subtle nod to childhood, through the slow, reassuring motion of rocking. Here too, it strives for excellence: the RAR – Rocking Armchair Rod Base – was designed by Charles and Ray Eames in the late 40s and introduced in 1950. It is a chair that combines industrial experimentation and emotional memory.
The innovation at the time was the unique shell contoured to the human body, now made of post-consumer recycled plastic , to which the designers added a steel rod frame resting on two wooden runners, responsible for a relaxing rocking motion. The contemporary version is part of the Eames collection by Vitra , which continues the design legacy. Warning: addictive!
Left, cross-stitch embroidered cushion by Furbish Studio, 23×38 cm, €71,95 – furbishstudio.com. On the right, Eames Plastic Armchair RE RAR by Vitra, designed by Charles & Ray Eames, 63x81xh76 cm, starting from €715 – vitra.com.
Blue also gracefully invades the functional areas of the Turkish home, such as the bathroom and the pantry area of the kitchen: hidden spaces yet meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail.
IDEAS FOR SERVICE AREAS
In the Y House overlooking the Aegean, even the smallest and most hidden spaces are given a delicate touch of blue . Starting with the pantry area, dominated by a refrigerator and neat shelving. The large appliance is Smeg's iconic, colorful refrigerator , romantically 50s-inspired with its rounded shapes, available in both double-door and freestanding versions. Among its many pluses, it also features a vacation function , particularly useful in the event of a prolonged absence: a system that allows you to deactivate the refrigerator, leaving only the freezer on.
Organizing your pantry is ensured by a shelving unit featuring a variety of storage units. You can combine different types—wicker baskets, boxes, plastic containers—or opt for a single model in various sizes. We like the Studio About box, which combines functionality with a light, graphic design. Its clean lines make it easy to integrate into the living room, office, or bedroom. It has a lid that protects its contents from dust, while the structure allows access from both the top and the side . It's available in medium and large sizes and in a range of colors that can be combined to create a customized storage system.
On the left, Smeg double door refrigerator, 60×72,8xh172 cm, €1.849 – smeg.com. On the right, plastic box by Studio About, Medium 40x29xh23,7 cm, €35; Large 50x35xh29 cm, €42 – studio-about.com.
The bathroom in a Turkish home is compact but full of charm. To recreate this, focus on carefully chosen (blue) accessories. An elegant laundry basket, like the one from Mango Home in striped cotton, spacious and with double handles for easy transportation. A large circular mirror, like the Francis model by Petite Friture, looks like a watercolor painting thanks to a special technique developed by designer Constance Guisset, inspired by painters' studios and the beauty of the fleeting movement of pigments flowing from the brush into the water.
On the left, striped basket by Mango Home, 35xh50 cm, €39,99 – shop.mango.com. On the right, XL Francis mirror by Petite Friture, design Constance Guisset, ø 110 cm, €2.295 – petitefriture.com.
To complete the bathroom look, all you need is a rug. This one by Lorena Canals is called Clouds and fits perfectly in any room, including the living room, bedroom, and children's room. It's not mass-produced, but handcrafted by Indian artisans using ancient artisanal techniques passed down through the ages. It's a very special rug: for its distinctive dreamy cloud motif, for being made from natural cotton fibers, recycled materials, and non-toxic dyes, and for being born from a firm commitment to the planet and people. Clouds, in fact, is synonymous with solidarity, like all the rugs by Lorena Canals. This designer provides concrete assistance to the people of northern India , providing dignified employment to many families and providing access to education through the Sakûla Project : a preschool where street children can learn, receive meals, and have a safe environment in which to grow.
Thus the sky truly enters the home: not only with its shades of blue and its clouds, but also with a message of hope for so many human beings, for whom a concrete gesture can pave the way to a more peaceful future.
Washable and hypoallergenic rug in cotton and recycled materials, Clouds by Lorena Canals, 120×160 cm, €145 –lorenacanals.com.
Y House in Bodrum, Türkiye
Project by Ofist, Istanbul – ofist.com
Photo © Ali Bekman
On the cover, a glimpse of the dining room at Y House in Bodrum, demonstrating how splashes of sky blue inserted here and there can make you feel like you're on holiday all year round.
