Turquoise Wins Paint Colour of the Year at the Homes & Gardens Awards

Vivid, uplifting and full of character, Turquoise is a blue with a distinctive green undertone. Inspired by the colour of its namesake gemstone, it brings a wonderful clarity to interiors, whether used across an entire room or as a contrast to softer, more muted shades.

In 2021, Turquoise was named Paint Colour of the Year at the Homes & Gardens Design Awards, with judge Charu Gandhi remarking that the colour reminded her of her childhood.

Its appeal lies in the balance between vibrancy and softness. Made using natural earth and mineral pigments, Turquoise has a complexity that allows it to work with an unusually wide range of colours and materials.

The history behind Turquoise

The name Turquoise comes from the French for ‘Turkish stone’, reflecting the trade routes through which the gemstone reached Europe rather than its original place of discovery.

The colour has long been associated with the brilliance of the stone itself, combining blue and green to create a distinctive shade that changes considerably according to its surroundings.

Edward’s interpretation brings together blue pigment with touches of yellow and green, creating a clear, expressive colour that feels equally at home in traditional and contemporary interiors.

Decorating with Turquoise

From hallways to bedrooms, Turquoise brings a wonderful sense of colour to interiors, working just as well with traditional furnishings as it does with more contemporary schemes.

In a hallway designed by Carlos Garcia, Turquoise makes a striking first impression, demonstrating how a strong colour can transform a transitional space into something memorable.

In a bedroom by Henriette von Stockhausen of VSP Interiors, Turquoise takes on a different character. As Henriette describes it, the colour is “beautifully vibrant yet approachable”, becoming softer in changing light and wonderfully cosy in the evening.

In a bedroom by That Rebel House, Turquoise provides a striking backdrop to an eclectic mix of colourful and patterned textiles. Despite its vibrancy, the shade works almost like a neutral, bringing the different colours and patterns together rather than competing with them.

Together, these interiors show just how adaptable Turquoise can be, whether used to make a statement or create a more intimate atmosphere.

Colour drenching with Turquoise at The Rose

At The Rose Hotel in Deal, interiors designed by Nicola Harding & Co demonstrate how beautifully Turquoise lends itself to colour drenching. Used across the walls and woodwork in both the bedroom and bathroom, the colour creates an immersive scheme, complemented by vintage furniture, patterned fabrics and vibrant accents of pink, green and orange.

Rather than overwhelming the spaces, the continuous colour brings a sense of cohesion, allowing the contrasting furnishings and decorative details to stand out. It’s a wonderful example of how colour drenching with a bold shade can feel both playful and inviting.

What colours go with Turquoise?

One of the pleasures of decorating with Turquoise is the variety of colours that work alongside it.

Edward recommends both tonal combinations, which draw on similar pigments, and stronger contrasts that introduce a different colour family.

Tonal colours to pair with Turquoise

For a scheme built around related shades, consider:

• Verdigris – a green with a blue influence that sits naturally alongside Turquoise.
• Pea Green – a lighter, fresher green that creates a lively combination.
• Inferior Grey – a soft grey containing blue pigment, providing a more understated contrast.
• Fawn – a warm, stony neutral that balances the cooler blue-green colouring.

These combinations are particularly useful if you want Turquoise to remain the dominant colour without introducing too many competing shades.

Contrasting colours to pair with Turquoise

For something more expressive, Edward suggests:

• Duck Egg – a lighter blue-green that offers a softer companion to Turquoise.
• Vert de Mer – a deeper blue-green for a stronger tonal scheme.
• Rose – a pink that creates a colourful contrast.
• Clove – an earthy neutral that brings a different quality to the palette.

Pink, orange and green can also work particularly well with Turquoise, as demonstrated by the interiors at The Rose.

The best combination will depend on the light in your room, the materials you’re working with and how much contrast you want to introduce.

Discover Turquoise

From colourful bedrooms to traditional reception rooms, Turquoise is a shade that rewards a confident approach to decoration.

Its distinctive combination of blue and green makes it an interesting choice for anyone looking to introduce a stronger colour without sacrificing the subtle variations that natural pigments can bring.

Explore Turquoise and order a sample to see how it responds to the light in your own home.

You can also read about the 2021 Homes & Gardens Design Awards, where Turquoise was recognised as Paint Colour of the Year.