Indigo
Indigo
Color of the Week! History, Interior Design & Color Palette
“True Indigo”
The color indigo originally comes from the indigo plant, a small shrub with pink blooms. The two main species are Indigofera tinctora and Indigofera suffroticosa.
These plants contain a compound called “indican”, which, when processed, produces the deep blue dye we know as indigo. This is what the pigment looks like:
A Brief History
The use of indigo dye goes all the way back to around 2000 BC in Ancient Egypt. However, it is most known for its extensive use in Ancient India, where it was widely cultivated as a dye for textiles.
The term “indigo” itself comes from the words “indicum” (Latin) and “indikon” (Greek), both meaning “from India”.
Traditional Indigo Dye Production
Indigo dye was and still is pretty burdensome to produce, even with today’s advanced equipment.
Traditionally, the plant was soaked in a basic solution to ferment and then the liquid was drained and stirred quickly to add air. This allowed for a blue sediment to settle at the bottom. Then, it could be finally dried into blocks and sold at the market.
Though the process is tedious, it is considered to be worth it as the dye is known to age beautifully and is powerful enough to not need a mordant (a substance that helps fix the dye onto fabric).
A Status Symbol & Ritual Use
Indigo was also considered to be a status and wealth symbol, and even played a crucial role in rituals.
The dye was highly sought-after because it was rare and difficult to produce. Because of this, indigo-dyed fabrics were pretty expensive and therefore most accessible to the elite, making it a sign of affluence in many cultures.
Regarding rituals, indigo was believed to have spiritual and protective properties. In India, for example, indigo was used in religious ceremonies and offerings to symbolize divine favor, purity and protection.
Indigo’s Role in Global Trade
This dye was highly valued and became a significant part of trade routes that eventually spread from India to other parts of the world such as Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
“Because it has always been so highly prized, indigo has, from as far back as records and educated guesswork allow, been a bedrock of global trade.” - Kassia St. Claire, The Secret Lives of Color
In addition to playing a significant role in global trade throughout history, it has continued to evolve into a key player in the modern textile industry today.
Today
The global denim industry is still dominated by indigo! It gives jeans their signature blue color. The color itself is also versatile, ranging from dark to light, faded blues depending on how the fabric is washed and treated.
Indigo has also undoubtedly become an icon of culture associated with movements such as American workwear, casual fashion, and youth rebellion!
Applied to Interior Design
Indigo, with its deep and rich blue tones, adds sophistication, depth, and a sense of calm in a space. Before I get into some ways you can tastefully apply it in interior design, here are some inspiration pics:
First off, what design styles is indigo best for?
Indigo is known to work beautifully with a number of interior styles, but especially Bohemian, Modern and Minimalist spaces.
This blue color is perfect for bohemian interiors, especially when used in patterned textiles, rugs, or throw pillows. It does a great job of adding both depth and richness to the eclectic mix of textures and colors this design style typically comes with.
As for modern and minimalist spaces, indigo is best used in small amounts to add a pop of color and interest to a space without disrupting the clean lines and simplicity.
Moving onto physically incorporating indigo in a space:
Using indigo for an accent wall is a great way to create a focal point in a room. Not only would this add depth and drama, but it would make the space feel more cozy and intimate as well.
It is considered best for bedrooms. Its calming and serene qualities make it ideal for creating a restful environment, perfect for where you sleep.
Indigo also looks beautiful in the kitchen and bathroom. In a kitchen, you can add an indigo backsplash or color your kitchen cabinets indigo. In bathrooms, you can incorporate indigo by using it for shower or floor tiles, or by adding indigo towels and rugs to introduce a splash of color.
Don’t want to fully commit but still want this color in your space?
Consider incorporating indigo through decorative accessories such as vases and lamps, or artwork. This will add a touch of the color to your space without overwhelming it! And it won’t break the bank.
Color Palette
Indigo pairs wonderfully with a number of colors, but especially neutrals, earth tones, and bright accents.
Below I’ve curated a color palette with some of my favorite indigo color combinations. Here I’ve included a light gray, a lighter blue, blush pink, and burnt orange. Take a look!
Color Characteristics
If you’re interested in using indigo in one of your creative projects, whether its interior design, graphic design or something entirely different, below are its digital color characteristics:
Hex Code: #284A70
RGB Values: (40, 74, 112)
Hopefully you enjoyed learning a bit about indigo, and if you have a color in mind that you would like for me to cover in next week’s COTW, comment below!