When considering a kitchen color palette, it can often feel like you need to pick one of two sides: you can either go classic and neutral or vibrant and bold – but as Matthew and Camila McConaughey prove, it's possible to do both.
The McConaughey's Austin kitchen is, for the most part, a neutral space – featuring unpainted wooden cabinets, marble open-shelving, and black countertops. At a glance, it's a palette that's safe yet styling and eternally versatile, but there's one exception: the baby blue kitchen island.
In a break from their kitchen's traditional scheme, the McConaughey's introduced a pocket of blue in the form of their bolder kitchen island color. The hue adds just the right amount of vibrancy to the space (without it feeling overwhelming), and as designers explain, it's a technique that's replicable in kitchens of all sizes (even those more compact than the McConaughey's).
'Blue kitchen islands introduce a vibrant focal point in the space, adding character without overwhelming the overall design. Blue shades mix very well with neutral tones like white, grey, and beige, allowing the island to pop without clashing with other elements of the kitchen. The contrast can also help to draw the eye, adding depth and dimension to the layout,' comments Molly Chandler, a designer at Willis & Stone.
Tom Howley, the creative design director of the eponymous kitchen company, agrees.
'Painting just your island can be a great way to incorporate color into an otherwise neutral kitchen – providing a bold, captivating focal point without committing to a full-on vibrant space. A navy island sits beautifully in a white kitchen,' he says. 'Neutral color palettes in the kitchen will never disappear – but for those who want to add a stronger injection of color, deep navies and cool powder blues are very popular. We recommend pairing these tranquil hues with glossy white worktops for a fresh, airy scheme.'
We love Matthew and Camila McConaughey's choice of a soft powder blue, but Howley also recommends taking things further by opting for an even more dramatic blue.'Inky blue hues infuse drama and energy into a space, while the crisp white balances out the scheme,' he says.
Alongside introducing vibrancy to a room, blue kitchen islands have a calming effect and, in some cases, even improve house value.
'The color blue is also often associated with calmness, which, given that kitchens are often busy spaces, can help create a soothing atmosphere,' Chandler says. 'It is also often seen as a universally appealing colour, which may attract future potential buyers, increasing the perceived value of the kitchen by adding a modern or custom feel without requiring a complete kitchen overhaul.'
Islands aside, we can introduce pockets of blue into our kitchens with these handpicked buys (including a statement paint sample) below.
