Sherwin-Williams' August color of the month is a 'welcoming and relaxed' blue paint – here's how to decorate with this cool and calming hue

Earlier this month, when we rounded up the best colors to decorate with in August, we saw cool-toned blues some of the most popular, so it's no surprise to see this hue as Sherwin-Williams' very own color of the month.

Described by Sherwin-Williams as a 'cool denim blue', Smoky Azurite is a versatile blue paint that may just be the perfect shade to incorporate into your home at this time of year as summer ends and we transition into fall.

To learn more about this standout August paint color, we spoke with Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams, who explains the best ways to decorate with Smoky Azurite throughout the home.

'Smoky Azurite SW 9148 is a welcoming and relaxed blue hue with yellow-gray undertones that add a hint of sky-like softness to a space,' explains Emily.

'Chosen from our 2024 Colormix Forecast Blues and Greens palette, Smoky Azurite SW 9148 is a transitional shade that can add depth to a space filled with neutral and earthy hues. It is a perfect cool-toned connection to keep a space modern and inviting from summer to fall.'

Decorating with blue is widely known to be one of the most relaxing colors, and versatile to pair with many different design styles and colors: from traditional to modern. That said, highly saturated shades of blue can overwhelm rooms; demanding too much attention and having the opposite effect of calming a space. Smoky Azurite, on the other hand, has a subdued quality which makes it incredibly restful and timeless.

'This cornflower blue can be used as a modern twist on a traditional look or palette, giving freshness and life while serving as a statement in a home,' adds Emily.

There are endless ways to decorate with Smoky Azurite throughout your home, whatever your interior design style. If you're someone who enjoys decorating with neutrals, Smoky Azurite is gentle enough to work harmoniously with pared-back color schemes; while it will also work with more vibrant tones for maximalist decor ideas.

'Smoky Azurite SW 9148 can make a home feel loved and lived in,' says Emily. 'It livens a cottage or English countryside-inspired space when you incorporate traditional wood furniture and grains, subtle and muted rugs, and even wainscoting.'

For kitchen ideas, this blue paint would work well as a mid-tone across kitchen cabinets if you want to add interest to the heart of the home without going too bold with your kitchen color ideas.

In a utility room or boot room, Smoky Azurite is a great color choice for cabinets, adding interest to these hardworking, functional spaces that often stick to a purely neutral color palette. 'This rich blue tone can be used in a mudroom when applied to built-in cabinetry for an unexpected yet casual pop of color,' says Emily.

Lastly, Smoky Azurite is a go-to paint color to experiment with color-drenching ideas for a bold, statement look. 'For those who want to lean into a fresh twist on traditional styling, use it in a living room for a colorful update,' adds Emily.

Looking for some more seasonal color inspiration? Take a look at the best colors to decorate with in August: five on-trend hues designers are decorating with to mark the end of summer and the beginning of fall.