Haint Blue Porch Ceilings

Anyone who has been to Charleston, SC has no doubt noticed the pale blue porch ceiling that is typical of the picturesque "South of Broad" houses there. There is no exact shade for this classic southern touch...it ranges from periwinkle to robins egg, but as far as many people in the south are concerned there is really no other color to be considered for a porch ceiling.

Why is it called "Haint Blue?" As a young transplant to the south, I saw the common robin's egg tint and thought "It hain't quite blue, and it hain't quite green." But a "haint" in Gullah culture is an evil spirit, and the blue ceiling is there to scare them away. (It's also rumored to keep mosquitoes off the porch, as they mistake it for the sky.)

Whether this ubiquitous southern touch serves any purpose other than looking gorgeous, I really don't know! Here are some pictures of classic "Haint Blue" ceilings to inspire you:

Double veranda with Haint blue ceilings

Up close of a Haint Blue Ceiling

Grand front porches. (Looks like a haint blue coffer on the first floor)

An unusual take on haint blue. Has a very island feel in this hue.

Crisp white siding, black shutters, red brick, and a haint blue ceiling. Doesn't get any more classic than this!

The rug on this lanai picks up the haint blue in the ceiling.

Subtle but effective...the haint blue compliments the stone floor of this large porch.

Massive columns on granite stone bases and a perfect blue ceiling. All that's missing here is the lemonade! (The window sashes look black, but I'd bet they are Charleston green!)

It's The Great Pumpkin (colored room) Charlie Brown

Fall is my favorite time of year...when cool temperatures bring relief to the heat of summer, the trees unleash a canvas of color, and nothing sounds better than curling up under a blanket with a cup of cider and a good book. I'm also drawn to the colors of fall--deep browns, warm oranges, and earthy yellows. The heart of our house is decked out in a harvest color scheme--orange tweeds mix with brown leather and harvest colored stripes in the great room, and the orange is carried onto the walls of the adjoining kitchen and morning room. Now, I've often questioned the decision of having those orange kitchen walls. Every party ends up in the kitchen, and so every single photograph that anyone has ever taken in our house is on the orange background of the kitchen. It's not always the most flattering backdrop.

But, photography issues aside, I am enjoying the resurgence orange has been seeing the past few years. The memory of the decorative horror that was the seventies meant a long hiatus for orange, but in honor of Halloween, I want to share the following orange rooms that show just how versatile and dramatic the color can be.

An orange runner and painted stripe punctuate an otherwise monochromatic foyer.

A deep spice orange gives warmth to this study. (Love the graphic artwork over the loveseat!)

Orange is right at home in a contemporary setting too. Here, it has been used as a graphic accent over a bed.

Pumpkin color walls and matching draperies with gorgeous tassel trim make this room warm and inviting.

In this crisp bathroom, a bright orange paint repeats one of the colors from the tile wall, bringing warmth and depth to a room whose clean lines might look cold with a more neutral color scheme.

 

Glossy light orange walls are a great backdrop for the graphic art in this foyer. The striped vestibule makes this space feel like a chic Tim Burton set.

 The peachy orange walls of this traditional foyer show just how versatile shades of orange can be.

And finally, this gorgeous foyer. If your neighbor said they were painting their foyer orange and black, would you ever dream the result would be this elegant? The black trim really makes the spice orange walls POP, and the color gives the botanical gallery weight--those prints would feel lost on a beige wall.

White on White

One of the most difficult designs to pull off (and I imagine most designers and DIY'ers would agree) is one that would appear to be easiest--white on white. Any monochromatic palette presents challenges, but white on white is the hardest. As anyone who has seen a wall of paint chips knows, there are a million "whites"...place two of them together and suddenly one turns pink, and the other blue. Even two seemingly identical whites aren't once texture and light come into play. Pulling together a white on white room is difficult...but absolutely stunning when it's done correctly. The play of textures, the nuances of pattern, and the way light works off the surfaces make for a very rich space.

So here's a look at ten white rooms that work:

The glossy white tongue and groove ceiling is an unexpected touch in this soothing bedroom. The simply trimmed drapes and textured shades give the room depth.

Dark floors are often the perfect anchor for an all white room, as they are in this space.

The texture of the tiles, artful use of tile moldings, and silver-finished plumbing fixtures make this an amazing bathroom.

What a restful bedroom! The dark nightstands and drapery hardware provide definition and the layered textures give it depth.

What a great mix of furnishings in this space!

Subtle variation of tones make this calming bedroom a stunner.

 

Luxe living in a small space...beautiful details, heavily veined marble, and liberal use of mirrors makes this apartment glamorous and elegant.

 A mirrored mantel, clever wall of storage hidden behind drapery, and an eye-catching tete-a-tete make this waterfront room memorable.

Notice the dark painted ceiling in this monochrome room. The ethereal drapes provide shimmer and light control.

Classical pieces of furniture feel fresh and new in white fabrics, and the layered patterns in the room make it timeless.

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Let's Roll

There are few of us who can't remember exactly where we were this morning ten years ago. I was working at my first job out of college when a coworker sent me a message that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Even as another airliner slammed into the second tower, we struggled to find a more reasonable explanation as to what was happening. After what seemed an eternity, several of us broke for an early lunch and watched the news unfold on the TV screens of a nearby Applebee's. There was a collective numbness that day, and for weeks that followed.

A friend summed up her feelings on the anniversary of the 9-11 tragedy beautifully this morning:

"For all of the hurt & pain this day brought to us 10 yrs ago, it also brought perspective. For a short while, we lived in Unity, simply, as Americans. We flew our flags & were patriotic. We valued each other more & hugged loved ones a bit tighter. Our churches were packed with people praying for our country. We contacted long, lost friends & let them know we think of them often. We worried less about the small stuff & were thankful for our own tiniest blessings. Perspective...a gift out of tragedy!"



Never Forget!

Blue and White Interiors

Tomorrow, I'll be joining my family for a week of relaxation by the beach. This will mark the fourth or fifth time that we have spent our family vacation at the same beach house. The house is small by current standards, mostly wood paneled (outdated by most opinions), and lacks the sort of spa bathrooms and gourmet kitchen that one might expect to find in an oceanfront house. But it sits right on the dune, is immaculately clean and well kept, and has been a favorite spot for us to just sit back and enjoy life! As is usually the case when I travel, my mind turns to the architecture and decor of my destination. I seek out local real estate listings, read up on the local "style", and get a feel for local neighborhoods. And I dare you to think "beach cottage" and NOT envision a lot of blue and white. Certainly, blue and white rooms have found places far from the shore, but the classic blue and white room is forever engrained with a certain coastal feel. Enjoy these inspirational photos of some of my favorite blue and white spaces:

My idea of a perfect beach house living room! Sherrill Canet designed this crisp space.

Coral seems to be EVERYWHERE lately, but what better place for a gallery of coral prints than a beach cottage?

Soft blue and white. A sleek take on the classic color scheme.

A beautiful stone fireplace anchors this living space. The beamed ceilings and slipcovered furnishings are stunning! (House Beautiful)

Mary McDonald is responsible for this sumptous blue and white bedroom. Perhaps a bit luxurious for the beach!

This little cottage is picture perfect in pale blues and white.

Sarah Richardson worked blue and white accents into the comfortable living room of her cottage.

Bubble bath anyone? A soothing and crisp cottage bathroom.

The wood paneled walls, denim sofa, and graphic rug are perfect for a carefree space by the sea.

To-die-for  subway tile is the focal point of this blue and white dream kitchen.

So, what does YOUR dream beach cottage look like? Does blue and white play into your design?

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Once You Go Black...

You can go back, but it will likely take several coats of primer. There has been a trend lately for black painted rooms, and it's one that I LOVE. I have always wanted a black powder room, but just never had the right house to make it work in. I buck "conventional" wisdom that light colors make spaces appear larger and that dark ones do the opposite. Dark colors can make the boundaries of a room visually recede off into the horizon. They can form a stunning backdrop for art, provide stark contrast to light colored furnishings or window treatments, and generally provide a point of drama in a space.

Are you brave enough to try dark walls, even black ones? Take a look at these inspirational rooms before you answer:

In this dining room, the black walls are a stark contrast to the otherwise all-white scheme.

Another black dining room. Elegant and dramatic!

A black accent wall anchors this monochromatic living room.

Black chinoiserie wallpaper in a transitional dining room.

I covet this black powder room! The uber-trendy garden stool and towels provide pops of color.

A black foyer makes quite the first impression.

The large frieze in this bedroom keeps the black walls from being overbearing.

Really a dark charcoal rather than a true black, the persimmon colored chairs are a striking contrast. And check out the light fixtures!

Black seems to be quite popular in dining rooms! Here, the floors, ceiling and walls are black, allowing the trimwork to trace the room. The turquiose upholster pieces are startlingly elegant.

The classic black and white checkerboard floor proivides a graphic statement in this chic dining room. The scallop of the cased opening is an unusual detail.

Black walls showcase a collection of white objet. Gorgeous graphic rug!

What do you think of this book-lined bedroom? The black walls here are enveloping, making this a perfect spot for sleep and relaxation.

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