Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper: Design Inspiration and the Best Paint Colours to Pair With It

From a beautiful ivy-covered Georgian house to a colourful wallpaper featuring British blue tits, discover the story behind my Spring Ivy Blue design and the paint colours I love pairing with it.

One of the things I love most about being a designer is that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places.

Sometimes it’s a beautiful garden, a walk through the countryside or a bird spotted amongst the trees. Other times, it’s something I pass every day without giving it much thought, until one day it catches my eye.

That’s exactly how my Spring Ivy Blue wallpaper and fabric began.

Inspired by cascading ivy, inquisitive blue tits and the beautiful colours of British nature, Spring Ivy Blue has become one of my favourite designs for bringing colour and wildlife into the home.

But once you’ve chosen a patterned wallpaper, there’s often another big decision to make.

What paint colour should you use alongside it?

Today, I’m sharing the story behind Spring Ivy Blue, along with some of my favourite paint colour combinations from Farrow & Ball and Little Greene to help you create a beautifully coordinated interior.

The Inspiration Behind My Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper

Spring Ivy Blue began with a beautiful Georgian house that I used to pass on my morning walk to the studio.

The ivy cascading down the building was absolutely wonderful.

I loved the way the leaves overlapped, creating layers of shapes and textures, with little berries adding detail amongst the foliage.

It was one of those everyday scenes that I found myself noticing more and more.

I’ve always been fascinated by the way nature interacts with buildings, particularly when plants soften the hard lines of architecture.

I wanted to capture that feeling in a wallpaper design.

Why I Chose Blue Tits for Spring Ivy

Blue tits are some of my favourite British garden birds.

They’re tiny, inquisitive and full of character, with beautiful blue, yellow and green colouring.

I love watching them dart amongst the branches and foliage, always appearing to be busy investigating something.

Their colours worked beautifully with the ivy illustrations, bringing little flashes of blue and mustard yellow into the design.

The result was Spring Ivy Blue, a nature-inspired wallpaper featuring blue tits, cascading ivy, berries and foliage against a rich blue background.

For me, the design captures the beauty of British garden wildlife and the little moments we might otherwise overlook.

What Colours Are in Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper?

Before choosing paint colours to complement patterned wallpaper, I always recommend looking closely at the individual colours within the design.

Spring Ivy Blue has a lovely combination of shades that can be picked out in different ways.

The main colours include:

• Blue: The rich background and beautiful blue markings of the blue tits.
• Mustard yellow and yellow-green: Found in the birds’ feathers.
• Green: Inspired by the ivy leaves and foliage.
• Soft neutrals: Subtle shades within the illustrations that can be used to create a calmer colour scheme.

You don’t necessarily need to match the wallpaper’s main background colour.

Sometimes choosing one of the smaller colours within the pattern can create a more interesting interior.

And that’s where paint colour combinations become particularly exciting.

The Best Paint Colours to Pair with Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper

I’ve spent time exploring paint combinations that complement Spring Ivy Blue, particularly colours from Farrow & Ball and Little Greene.

Here are some of my favourite options.

1. Farrow and Ball: Cooking Apple Green, Pick Out the Blue Tit’s Feathers in a suitable way

One of my favourite combinations is Cooking Apple by Farrow and Ball

This soft yellow-green shade works beautifully with the colouring of the blue tits, particularly the delicate tones around their bellies.

I love how it picks out a detail within the design rather than simply matching the blue background.

Using a soft green on surrounding walls or painted furniture can create a fresh, nature-inspired colour scheme.

It’s a lovely option if you want to introduce a little more colour while keeping the room feeling light.

Best for: Bedrooms, living rooms and interiors where you want to highlight the natural greens and yellows in the wallpaper.

2. Farrow & Ball Dimpse: A Soft Grey Contrast

If you prefer a more understated interior, Farrow & Ball Dimpse is a lovely option to consider.

Dimpse is a soft grey that can provide a gentle contrast against the rich blue background of Spring Ivy Blue.

I particularly like this combination because it allows the birds and foliage to remain the focus.

Rather than competing with the pattern, the grey creates a calm backdrop.

This can work particularly well if you’re using Spring Ivy Blue on a feature wall and want the surrounding walls to feel neutral.

Best for: Contemporary bedrooms, living rooms and home offices.

3. Farrow & Ball Strong White: A Fresh, Light Interior

For a clean, fresh look, Farrow & Ball Strong White is another colour worth exploring.

Despite its name, Strong White has a subtle grey character, making it a softer alternative to a brilliant white.

It can help balance the richer blue tones in Spring Ivy Blue while keeping the room feeling bright.

I particularly like the idea of using Strong White on woodwork or adjoining walls.

The contrast allows the wallpaper to stand out without making the overall scheme feel too busy.

Best for: Modern interiors, smaller rooms and spaces where you want to maximise the feeling of light.

4. Little Greene Bone China Blue Faint: A Gentle Blue Combination

If you love blue interiors, Little Greene Bone China Blue Faint is a beautiful option to explore.

Rather than contrasting with the wallpaper, this soft blue-grey creates a more coordinated colour scheme.

I love how it allows the blue tones in Spring Ivy Blue to flow naturally into the surrounding walls.

It’s particularly effective if you want to create a restful, nature-inspired bedroom.

You could use Spring Ivy Blue behind the bed and Bone China Blue Faint on the remaining walls.

Best for: Bedrooms, cosy sitting rooms and interiors where you want a soft, coordinated blue palette.

Should You Match Paint to the Background or the Birds?

This is something I think is really interesting when decorating with patterned wallpaper.

There are two main approaches, and both can create beautiful results.

Match the Wallpaper Background

Choosing a paint colour that complements the main blue background creates a coordinated look.

This can make the wallpaper feel more integrated into the room rather than standing out as a separate feature.

Soft blue-greys, such as Bone China Blue Faint, are worth exploring for this approach.

Pick Out a Colour from the Illustrations

Alternatively, choose a colour from one of the smaller details within the pattern.

For Spring Ivy Blue, this could be the yellow-green tones of the blue tits or the softer greens of the ivy.

This is why I particularly love Little Greene Pale Lime.

It draws attention to the birds and creates a lovely connection between the wallpaper and the rest of the room.

My design tip: Don’t feel you have to choose the most obvious colour. Sometimes the smallest details in a wallpaper design provide the most interesting paint inspiration.

Where Can You Use Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper?

One of the things I love about botanical wallpaper is how versatile it can be.

Although Spring Ivy Blue was inspired by a traditional Georgian building and British garden wildlife, it can work beautifully in contemporary interiors.

Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper in Bedrooms

A blue bird wallpaper can create a beautiful feature behind a bed.

Pair Spring Ivy Blue with soft blue-grey or neutral paint colours, natural wooden furniture and simple bedding.

For a coordinated scheme, try Bone China Blue Faint or Dimpse on the surrounding walls.

Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper in Living Rooms

In a living room, Spring Ivy Blue can introduce colour and personality.

I particularly love seeing botanical wallpapers paired with contemporary furniture.

A simple sofa, natural wood and a few carefully chosen accessories can allow the wallpaper to become the main feature.

Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper in Hallways

Hallways are often overlooked when decorating, but they’re a wonderful place to introduce pattern.

Spring Ivy Blue can create a welcoming first impression, particularly when paired with complementary painted woodwork.

Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper in Home Offices

Nature-inspired wallpaper can bring colour and character into a workspace.

You could use Spring Ivy Blue behind a desk or on a feature wall, with soft grey or blue paint on the surrounding walls.

Can You Match Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper with Fabric?

Yes!

One of the things I love about designing collections is being able to create coordinating wallpaper and fabric.

My Spring Ivy Blue design is available in both wallpaper and 100% cotton fabric, making it possible to introduce the same illustration across different elements of a room.

You could use the wallpaper as a feature wall and introduce the fabric through cushions, curtains or a lampshade.

Alternatively, you might choose the fabric for window dressings and keep the walls painted in one of the complementary shades.

I particularly like mixing patterned fabrics with plain colours, allowing the illustrations to stand out without overwhelming the room.

Why Choose British-Designed Botanical Wallpaper?

When I founded Lorna Syson in 2009, I wanted to create designs that celebrated the natural world around us.

British wildlife, flowers and foliage have always been at the heart of my work.

Today, I design from my studio in South Oxfordshire, drawing inspiration from the countryside, gardens and everyday walks.

My wallpaper is printed in the UK using high-quality paste-the-wall paper, and my fabrics are printed in the UK on 100% cotton.

I love that something as simple as noticing ivy growing down a building can eventually become a wallpaper that brings colour and personality into someone’s home.

For me, that’s what makes independent design so special.

Frequently Asked Questions About Spring Ivy Blue Wallpaper

What paint colours go with Spring Ivy Blue wallpaper?

Some of my favourite options are Little Greene Pale Lime 70, Farrow & Ball Dimpse, Farrow & Ball Strong White and Little Greene Bone China Blue Faint. These colours complement different elements of the design, from the blue background to the yellow-green feathers of the blue tits.

Is Spring Ivy Blue suitable for a bedroom?

Yes. Spring Ivy Blue can create a beautiful nature-inspired bedroom, particularly when paired with soft blue-grey or neutral paint colours and simple furniture.

Can I buy matching Spring Ivy Blue wallpaper and fabric?

Yes. Spring Ivy Blue is available as both wallpaper and fabric from Lorna Syson, allowing you to coordinate walls, curtains, cushions and other soft furnishings.

Is Spring Ivy Blue wallpaper made in the UK?

Yes. Lorna Syson’s wallpaper is designed in South Oxfordshire and printed in the UK.

Should I order wallpaper and paint samples before decorating?

Absolutely. Colours can appear different depending on natural light, artificial lighting and the surrounding furnishings. I always recommend comparing physical wallpaper and paint samples in the room before making a final decision.

Bring British Wildlife and Beautiful Colour into Your Home

For me, Spring Ivy Blue is a lovely reminder that inspiration is often right in front of us.

A beautiful ivy-covered house, a few inquisitive blue tits and the colours of the natural world became the starting point for a design that now features across my wallpaper and fabric collections.

And one of my favourite things about patterned wallpaper is how many different interiors you can create simply by changing the paint colours around it.

Whether you love the fresh yellow-green of Little Greene Pale Lime, the gentle grey of Farrow & Ball Dimpse, the lightness of Strong White or the soft blue tones of Bone China Blue Faint, there are plenty of ways to make Spring Ivy Blue work in your home.

Explore my Spring Ivy Blue wallpaper and fabric at www.lornasyson.co.uk and order samples to start planning your room.

Lorna x