Color Inspiration: Aqua, the color of serenity

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You guys, I just got a new bike and I love it! For a while I’ve been meaning to get a bike. Now that our kids can ride their bikes pretty fast, Stew has had to run to keep up with them, and I, not being a runner, have been left in the dust. So Stew and I recently took a trip to the bike shop and tested some out. First we tried some great hybrid bikes, one of which Stew bought. But when I laid eyes on this beauty, I knew she was the one for me! May I present the Electra Townie, a comfortable cruiser that also happens to be super cute, and in one of my all-time favorite colors, aqua! This post contains affiliate links. Click here to read our full disclosure policy.

A beautiful aqua shade, somewhere between a sky blue and a turquoise, this baby is the color of the crystal clear Caribbean Sea. Can’t you just envision riding on a boardwalk along the beach with a fresh bouquet of flowers in the basket (note to self, must get a basket!)? It is the color of serenity and vacation.

I gravitate towards this color in clothing and I even rock it on my nails occasionally. Below is the polish on my nails as I type this.

Granted my four-year-old chose this over the top sparkly aqua shade by Deborah Lippmann, aptly named Mermaid’s Dream, but I have to admit my inner little girl thinks it’s totally rad.

I also have a reusable water bottle by bkr that I love more than anyone should love a water bottle (seriously, I have been known to wax poetic when telling people about it), and out of the many color options for the bottle’s silicone sleeve, I chose this exact same shade (called Holiday, of course).

So you could say this color sends me to a happy place. Because of its beachy association, I would imagine it’s more prevalent in the decor of seaside homes. But that doesn’t mean those of us who have relocated a bit more inland can’t use it! With the purchase of this bike, I feel inspired to use it more in my living spaces downstairs. But, alas, as I have already chosen my color schemes for those rooms, one could say that that proverbial ship has sailed into the tropical seas.

However, I have used it upstairs in our master bedroom. I think that the serenity and vacation-like feeling that this color evokes makes it a lovely choice for a bedroom, which should serve as an oasis of rest and relaxation where one can enjoy a respite from the chaos of life (in theory at least…someone should explain that to my kids!!!). I have used it with a heavy hand in our bedroom, with variations of the shade in the carpet, the comforter, and the artwork.

           

The color calms me before sleep, and when my four-year-old wakes me by pouncing on my head at 5:30 in the morning, the color reminds me to repeat the mantra “serenity now” a few times before starting the day.

If you could use a little serenity in your nest, there are many ways to incorporate the color. Jillian recently bought these Serena and Lily Tucker chairs for her mom in the Surf color. How great and cheerful will these look in a casual dining space?!

Or, as the color is so spa-like, it’s a great choice for a bathroom. Calgon, take me away! It would be fresh and clean used as a bathroom paint color paired with bright white accents and towels.

Aside from white, aqua pairs well with navy for a crisp look, coral for a beachy vibe, and gray or olive for a peaceful, understated elegance. I just love aqua and olive together. The aqua elements in our bedroom are accented by grayish olive walls and an olive chair, as well as grayish olive details on the comforter.

I’m also considering using this Serena and Lily Palmetto wallpaper when I redo the downstairs powder room (more on that project in the coming months…stay tuned!!!).

And for those of you with a true sunny disposition, aqua paired with a soft butter yellow or spring green is unexpected and guaranteed to make you smile.

Speaking of smiling, it’s time to sign off and take a spin on my gorgeous new bike!