Few color combinations have stood the test of time longer than blue and white. This duo is a classic, and has been paired together for many centuries and in many cultures. Why so captivating? It’s the color of sky, sea, clouds and sand. Universally, inspiring artisans to capture these colors for their decorative pieces, down through the ages.
The Chinese…blue and white porcelain dating back to early dynasties.
The English… blue and white Wedgewood, Jasperware. A classic.
The French…blue and white Toile fabrics. Always fashionable.
The Swedish… blue and white interiors, brought light into homes during long dark winters.
The Dutch… blue and white Delftware tiles and pottery. Tranquil scenes of Dutch life.
The Greek…blue and whitewashed houses contrasted against the blue sea.
The Americans… blue and white colonial colors in pottery, dishware, quilts, nautical themes, relaxing interiors.
These are just a few cultures that have had love affairs with blue and white.
Blue and white is easy to live with. Especially in the summer when days are warm. Blue says cool, relaxing and inviting. Like the ocean drawing you in. The appeal of these colors is enjoyed by all ages and genders.
If you have a white or neutral interior, add some blue, even in small doses, like pillows, towels, bedding. It will feel refreshing and reflect cool summer style. Try a monochromatic color scheme, tints, tones and shades of one blue and the same with the whites. Delete the yellows, reds or any other energizing or distracting colors to get this tranquil feel. Let just the two colors, calm, relax and send you “on vacation”. Add warm wood tones of furniture, woven wood shades, natural fiber area rugs and other textures to create the interest here.
You can never go wrong with a blue and white color scheme. It’s timeless, tasteful and transporting. Bring a little calm to your corner of the world, for always, or just a summer get-away.
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1. Cathy, you’re making me want to delete my energizing color scheme in favor of blue and white!!! Can’t believe these words are coming from the person who invented the color red!? LOL Seriously, do you (or have you ever) had a blue and white color scheme, even if only in one room? If not, how would you accomplish this in a house filled with red, yellow, black, etc.?
by Janice — 5/27/08 at 11:27 am #
2. Hi Janice,
Don’t you dare change those rooms we’ve been working on. I won’t change mine, at least for now. The purpose of the post was to inspire people with neutral, white or blue interiors to add some of these great classic colors. I love many interior color combinations, not just what I use in my own home. So, no, I wouldn’t add blue and white to your house filled with red, yellow, black. These are the colors you were drawn too, vibrant and exciting, (like you)! Stick with colors you enjoy. As long as they are done with style and good taste, then you’ll always be happy with them. If your tastes change in a few years they can always be changed.
Always good to talk to you.
by Cathy — 5/27/08 at 4:26 pm #
3. Not to worry, Cathy. I’m not changing. Just thought you were! LOL Just wondered if you were considering changing a room in YOUR home — and how you would accomplish it. I know you have magical powers when it comes to decorating but just couldn’t see how you’d sneek blue and white into your beautiful, vibrant color scheme. Since painting my kitchen walls red and the cabinets black, I’ve never tired of it, not even once. I love a happy house, one that makes me smile. I think I told you that I removed the black trunk coffee table from the living room, and now I’m searching for just the right glass-topped one. Rather than have nothing there at all, I’ve placed a wicker trunk in the place of the black trunk. Not quite as heavy looking and seems to work better with the room — at least, for now, until I get what I want.
by Janice — 5/27/08 at 4:44 pm #
4. Janice,
The wicker trunk sound nice, especially for summer. You’ll find the right table, just keep looking. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your kitchen for a long time.
If it’s a place you feel good in and happy, then you’ve chosen the right colors.
Enjoy that cute house of yours.
We’ll talk soon.
by Cathy — 5/28/08 at 11:37 am #
5. Thanks, Cathy. The wicker trunk does look especially “summery,” with the addition of a bowl of shells. While I’m here, I wanted to mention that I posted something under the series of wall art topic (can’t remember the exact name), in case you haven’t noticed.
by Janice — 5/28/08 at 1:05 pm #
6. Janice, I did reply to your post under “Big Wall, Try Series Art”.
See ya.
by Cathy — 5/29/08 at 6:28 pm #
7. Thanks!!! I seem to be topic jumping today. I also posted something under the Small but Comfy Bedroom topic.
by Janice — 5/30/08 at 3:34 pm #
8. Cathy, I have a “blue and white” question. You know the colors I’m using in my house, and none of them are blue. However, I have a box of blue and white plates packed away. They were from my “blue phase” many years ago and I couldn’t bear to part with them. Some are the color of Blue Willow but have a clipper ship in the center. The pattern is called Lochs of Scotland, and I love them, especially because they are “water related.” A decorating buddy told me that I don’t have to give them up. I could decorate a room — bedroom, bathroom, etc., in red — maybe red and white toile — and use these plates on the wall. I remember saving an inspirational picture in my decorating file a while back, actually, it’s an assortment of pictures I’ve clipped from decorating magazines. One of the pictures show a red dining room, with blue and white plates on the wall, and they look smashing. I’d not thought of this again until my friend suggested that I could use blue and white plates with red. Is this even something I should consider? As I said, not in the main living area, but perhaps a bedroom or bathroom. It would be a way I could use the plates (which I love), but wouldn’t take away from the main colors I’m using in the rest of the house. Or, is there some things that won’t work no matter how much you want them to? Have you ever had this problem. That is, you were drawn to something that didn’t fit into your scheme, and you had to pack it away. Even though you couldn’t use it, you couldn’t bear to part with it. Please share your thoughts.
by Janice — 6/4/08 at 10:29 am #
9. Hi Janice,
I think you could absolutely use your blue and white plates. They would look wonderful on a red or white wall and with your color scheme. I think using them as an additional accent color is fine. You may just want it as an accent and not in large doses. That will draw attention to how special they are. The trick to additional accent colors in a room, is to add them in smaller quanities than the primary accent color. Give it a try and see how you like them…it could look great.
Let me know.
by Cathy — 6/6/08 at 12:15 am #
10. Cathy, did I hear you right? You said that I could use blue and white plates with my red, white and black color scheme? Does that mean I could use them in the kitchen/dining area too? I was thinking that I MUST stick to red, white and black and couldn’t introduce an additional color. That brings me to something else. I had a birthday last week, and my sweet husband gave me an old stained-glass window (small) that is predominantly red, but has some colbalt in the pattern. It’s almost a checkerboard pattern, with red and cobalt being the main colors. He suggested that I hang it in front of the window, which is over the kitchen sink, so it will catch the sunlight. But I was hesitant because there is no black in the stained glass. In other words, it was mostly red, white and cobalt — and not red, white and black. Does it matter. Can I use the stained glass in this particular area — or should I use it in another room?
by Janice — 6/9/08 at 11:23 am #
11. Janice, don’t go overboard with the blue and white plates. But I think they would be fine in certain places. Like I said its just an additional accent color…use less of it. Try your plates and the stained glass in the areas you want. Step back and see how it all looks together. If you think it’s too much color and pattern, try other areas. I don’t see why you couldn’t use a few of these pieces with the colors you already have. Let your good design sense be you guide.
by Cathy — 6/10/08 at 11:48 am #
12. I would let good design sense be my guide — if I had any! LOL Seriously, I appreciate the reassurance, Cathy.
by Janice — 6/11/08 at 10:11 am #
13. Janice, you’re so funny!!! of course you have good design sense…look at all the great decorating you’ve done already. If you don’t trust yourself, ask one of your talented friends to truthfully tell you what they think… that may be good or bad, LOL.
by Cathy — 6/11/08 at 5:40 pm #
14. I have a blue stripe sofa, a solid blue chair, my living room ,an kitchen are togather (condo)
have light green wall fabric on kitchen wall would like to keep .
what color should I do living room in, Thinking about a accent wall
on kitchen side where there is a bar?
by shelby — 8/17/09 at 4:54 pm #
15. Hi Shelby,
Your condo sounds nice. The colors you have, green and blue are an “analogous” color scheme. The fall within 90 degrees on the color wheel and are a harmonious combination. Since they are in seperate spaces, I would “cross pollinate” the colors to tie both areas together.
You could paint your walls a neutral beige or tan color and add draperies in the L.R. in your lt. Green color, Add some green pillows to your blue sofa. Maybe an area rug with blues, greens and neutrals as well. Take some of your blue into the kitchen. Plates on a wall, cannisters, floral, chair cushions with the colors as well. If you want an accent wall. Combine the two colors, blue and green and paint wide, 18″-24″ horizontal stripes to add a graphic art statement to the wall.
In other words, mix up the two colors in both spaces to unify the open spaces together.
Have fun decorating and enjoy your condo.
by Cathy — 8/19/09 at 1:34 pm #