Bird eggs come in a variety of colours. From creamy and chalky whites to deeper greenish blue of magpies and mallards, these delicate tones have inspired artists and scientists through the ages. And yet in reality ‘Duck Egg Blue’ is more of a reference point than a precise colour, hovering anywhere between blueish grey and pale green on the colour wheel. But there are very few natural representations of this colour beyond the birds nest. In fact, it is far more frequently thought of as a coastal colour, evoking the sea, or more precisely, that far-off point, where the sea meets the sky. As an island nation, this colour is a familiar and iconic part of our visual landscape. ‘We love to contemplate blue,’ said Goethe, in his Theory of Colours, ‘not because it advances to us, but because it draws us after it.’ And it is perhaps this wistful beckoning of the horizon, so manifest of calm and promise, that makes it such a popular choice in our homes.
We experience colour through our senses. Often, we don’t just see colour, we feel it. Colours can conjure a whole spectrum of emotions, underpinned by our memories of things and endless explored in the art and poetry inherent in our culture. So, if colours can be said to acquire personalities of their own, then Duck Egg Blue is undoubtedly a peacemaker. Subtle yet evocative, restrained yet elegant, it is a balanced and co-operative colour, complementing other neutrals as well as bolder shades. Our Warm Seas and Evening Seas paints are often used as versatile whole-house paints, working brilliantly in on both panelling, as well as plaster.
As the basis for a room scheme, it can creates instant elegance, as shown below in our panelled bedroom, featuring Maja wallpaper and linen. Or it can create a relaxed, informal look as the back-drop in a kitchen-living space. It makes for versatile upholstery fabric, (See our Duck Egg herringbone) and can be combined with a broad array of colours and textures to create a relaxed yet inviting atmosphere. And if you want to change the colour of your sofa immediately, don’t be afraid to use one of our Shetland throws to get an instant injection Duck Egg Blue into the room.
