What could be a more classic color combination for an interior than blue and white? Used in tandem, these colors are as timeless as snowy white clouds traversing a cerulean sky.
When you think of blue and white what comes to mind? Antique Chinese porcelain, a constant in interior decoration for centuries? White sails skimming across an azure sea, leaving your cares behind? A blue and white gift wrapped package from Tiffany containing a delightful surprise? Milky stars dramatically shimmering in a midnight sky? A cool-as-cucumber southern staple, the seersucker suit, a “must have” for Seersucker Thursday in the US Senate? The “little blue something” that every bride desires to add to their white wedding apparel? Blueprint floor plans pre-dating modern printing technology? A navy blazer with a white button down shirt, beloved uniform of businessmen and preppies alike? (Speaking of Navy blazers and white shirts, let’s digress for a little rant: What were Ralph Lauren, king of prep, and the US Olympic Committee thinking when they made the decision to outsource the manufacture of our athletes’ uniforms to our biggest rival, China? With the state of our country’s unemployment rate and the outcry for “Made in USA” at the forefront of everyone’s minds, producing this attire in the United States should have been a no-brainer. Unfortunately, in this instance, corporate greed seems to have trumped patriotism. And what’s with the huge Polo logo emblazoned across the pockets? Are the athletes competing for the US or Ralph Lauren? As a US citizen I am flabbergasted and embarrassed. Now back to Blue and White.)
Blue and white oriental porcelain has been used to enhance interiors for centuries, as in this example at the Riverhills Showhouse. (Southern Accents)
This Kings Lane living room vignette is clean and serene.
Medium blue and white wallpaper adds pizazz to this eclectic decor. (Architectural Digest)
Blue and ivory instill understated elegance in this living room.
Seeking calming serenity for your bedroom? Try glacier blue and white.(Architectural Digest)
White used with the universal color favorite, blue, can evoke a range of feelings in an interior, from serenity to moody drama. This color fusion works well in any style of décor, from the very traditional to the totally contemporary. A blue and white interior is non-gender specific, appealing to both women and men. Blue and white are symbolic of purity and neutrality. Pale blues and white are a calming color combination, often used in bedrooms and formal settings. Darker blues, such as navy, marine, or indigo, combined with white create a solid, sophisticated aesthetic—a safe haven. Walls painted dark blue can be a canvas for a dramatic effect. The amalgamation of brighter blues, such as ultramarine or cobalt, and white can instill an interior with crisp boldness and refreshing cleanliness. A color scheme of turquoise or cerulean mixed with white or ivory is an excellent formula for a relaxing tranquil setting.
White furniture is cocooned within deep azure walls,ceiling, and flooring making this a prime spot for innovative collaboration at Microsoft. (Dezeen)
Bright turquoise offset by white walls and furniture injects smart sophistication into a corporate reception room. (Contract Magazine)
Robin’s egg blue is a soothing canvas for elegant white dining room furnishings. (House Beautiful)
Deep marine blue walls add drama without depression when used with white. (Southern Accents)
Make a bold, modern statement with blue and white stripes.
A blue and white color palette is considered to be cool, often found in interiors located near the shore, bringing the outdoors in without the heat. It can have a nautical connotation and is, again, utilized in environments positioned near a body of water. Blue and white work well with the addition of other colors—to warm up a cool interior, add a touch of yellow, or the complimentary color of orange. Combine the two with red for a masculine or patriotic interior. Fashion a refreshing, outdoorsy appeal with the introduction of green into the color equation.
Yellow flowers and china add warmth to this cool outdoor setting of blue and white. (Southern Accents)
Complimentary tangerine accents brighten the cool color palette of blue and white. (Mrs. Howard)
Blue, white and green…..just fresh.
Electric blue upholstery and draperies add sophistication to the backdrop of white walls. The tertiary violet colored chandelier adds a little oomph.(Elle Decor)
Blue and White…Timeless, Classic. Is it the right combination for your interior?
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Photos courtesy of: Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, One Kings Lane, Dezeen Magazine, Contact Magazine, Southern Accents, Veranda Magazine, Mrs. Howard