Picking that perfect blue shade for your interior can seem like an impossible task. When it comes to Farrow & Ball’s blue shades, Hague Blue vs Stiffkey Blue is one of the most popular conundrums.
How do you choose when the tones are so similar?
Firstly, when choosing between two very similar shades I would always recommend trying a tester pot of a couple of different shades in your home before committing. This part is SO important as shades can look wildly different in one home to another due to natural light, and the CRI & colour temperature of the bulbs you use in your light fittings.
If you’re stuck between these two beautiful blue shades, I explore Hague Blue vs Stiffkey Blue in detail, along with examples in situ and how to decide which shade is most suited to your home.
What Colour Is Hague Blue?
Hague blue is a deep, rich blue colour. It is named after the Dutch city of The Hague and is often described as a dark, inky shade of blue.
Hague blue is known for its intensity and depth, often appearing almost black in certain lighting conditions.
It is a popular colour choice for creating a dramatic and sophisticated look in interior design and can be used on walls, furniture, or accents.
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What Colours Go With Hague Blue?
This deep shade of blue is hugely versatile in an interior and works beautifully with both neutrals and bold complementary colours such as yellow. Here are just a few colour combinations that work well with Hague Blue in situ;
Crisp White:
Pairing Hague Blue with a clean, bright white creates a classic and timeless look.
The white adds contrast and highlights the depth of the blue, creating a fresh and sophisticated atmosphere. When used in a situation like this above the dado rail, it creates that pristine contrast whilst helping to draw the eye up.
Warm Neutrals:
Colours like beige, camel, or sandy tones can complement Hague Blue by adding warmth and balance to the space.
These neutral shades create a cosy and inviting ambience when combined with the richness of Hague Blue.
Metallic Accents:
Incorporating metallic accents like gold, brass, or copper can add a touch of warmth, glamour and luxury to a room with Hague Blue.
These warm metallic tones provide a striking contrast against the deep blue, creating an elegant and visually appealing space.
Introduce brassy tones through picture frames, interior hardware such as sockets and switches and door knobs.
Earthy Tones:
Colours inspired by nature, such as olive green, mustard yellow, or terracotta, can create a harmonious and earthy palette when paired with Hague Blue.
These earthy hues add depth and warmth to the space while complementing the richness of the blue.
Pale Grey:
Light or pale gray shades can create a cool and contemporary look when combined with Hague Blue.
The softness of grey tones will balance and provide a subtle backdrop that allows Hague Blue to stand out as the focal point of the room.
What Colour Is Stiffkey Blue?
Stiffkey Blue is a deep, bold blue colour named after the mudflats of Stiffkey, a village on the Norfolk coast in England.
Stiffkey Blue is often described as a rich, inky blue with a slightly purple undertone. It is a dark shade of blue that can create a dramatic and luxurious atmosphere in interior spaces. Similar to Hague blue, Stiffkey Blue can appear almost black in certain lighting conditions, adding depth and sophistication to any room.
Therefore, I would always recommend purchasing a tester pot before committing. Simply paint a swatch of it in your chosen room so you can see how the colour looks and feels in the light at different times during the day.
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What Colous Go With Stiffkey Blue?
Bright White:
Just like Hague Blue, it’s no surprise that a bright white provides a perfect crisp contrast for Stiffkey Blue. This offers a timeless colour combination that keeps the space feeling light and airy.
Use on the ceiling or the section above a dado rail to draw the eye up, giving the illusion of a larger space.
Neutral Greys:
Shades of grey, such as light grey or charcoal, can complement Stiffkey Blue and create a sophisticated and balanced colour scheme.
A charcoal grey adds some much needed definition, without being overpowering like a black shade can be in the space.
Pale Pinks:
Soft, pastel pink shades can provide a delicate and feminine contrast to Stiffkey Blue.
This cool colour combination will go some way at balancing the depth of Stiffkey blue, and it can be a warmer colour pairing than something like a bright white.
Rich Greens:
Deep, jewel-toned greens, such as emerald or forest green, can create a visually stunning combination with Stiffkey Blue, evoking a sense of nature and tranquility.
I absolutely adore the combination of the colours here, with rich tones of green used through the velvet seating, a beautiful contrast of colour and texture for a visually interesting space.
Mustard Yellow:
Mustard yellow is a highly complementary colour of navy blue so it evokes a very vibrant contrast. Yellow can be introduced as an accent colour within the space with gorgeous cushions, throws and other decor accents.
The key to getting this right is to choose one as the dominant colour in the space, this will avoid the colours clashing and fighting for attention.
Hague Blue Vs Stiffkey Blue
So, we’ve seen both Hague Blue and Stiffkey Blue in some detail now, as well as what colours they both work well with. But how do you choose between these two similar shades?
Stiffkey Blue does have a slight purple undertone to it which can make it appear slightly darker than Hague Blue, however, both shades can look black depending on what light you are looking at them in.
As the shades are quite similar, and colours can look vastly different in spaces (North or South facing for example), grab a tester pot of each colour, paint a cross on a piece of white paper and affix to your wall with masking tape, position them next to each other.
This will allow you to sit with the colours in the room and survey how they look in both natural and artificial light throughout the day. Both colours are very similar in tone, so this is the best way for choosing a colour that sits well in your room and suits your home decor the most.
Both shades pair well with the same set of colours, and they’re highly versatile shades for living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and beyond. So, Hague Blue vs Stiffkey Blue, what would you choose?
