What Color is Your Porch Ceiling?

If it is not blue, you may be missing out on everything from natural insect repellent to protection from evil spirits!

Blue porch ceilings are a Southern tradition and were especially prevalent during Victorian times, when the colors of nature were preferred for painting exteriors. They can also be found in Colonial homes along the east coast in historic cities like Boston and Philadelphia.

Why blue? Some Southerners suggest that blue porch ceilings arose from fear of "haints," restless spirits of the dead that were held at bay by the color blue.

Some people swear that blue paint repels insects, although this has very little scientific basis. It may arise from early milk paints that included lye in their ingredient list. Lye is a known insect repellent and milk paint fades quickly, so porch ceilings repainted each year might have served to keep insects away.

While these two theories may be rooted in fantasy, the truth is that blue is a calming color, and most people use their porches for relaxation. Having a blue ceiling mimics the natural sky and can lighten and brighten spaces to give the feeling of longer daylight hours.

The shade of blue you select will depend on the style of your home. Softer, more gray blues will work better with traditional homes while brighter, more saturated blues will play well with more contemporary structures. In any case, the abundance of natural light outdoors will allow you to select a darker shade than you might use inside you home.

Go blue!

For more information on using color in your home, call us today at 513-771-3927

Blue porch ceilings are a Southern tradition and were especial

The Color Of The Year

Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, has named Turquoise the 2010 Color of the Year!


The color turquoise can represent many things to many people...a stone in a favorite piece of southwestern jewelry, the soothing tropical waters of a fabulous Caribbean vacation, or a fun night out with friends and Bombay sapphire martinis. But how many of us think about using turquoise in our homes? Surprisingly, we think you'll find that turquoise goes with just about anything. Other than the obvious accent with white, ivory or black, try using pillows or throws in shades of turquoise on your chocolate brown chairs and couches. What about that old tired chest that's been sitting in your basement? Give it a couple of coats of a pale turquoise spray paint and you've got the perfect accent to a shabby chic guest room!


Be bold and and use brighter shades of turquoise with shades of golden yellows or lime green on your patio furniture to spice up your outdoor living areas and get that tropical feeling all Spring and Summer.


If you'd like a little help in how to use turquoise in your home, consider a color consultation with one of our experienced redesigners. Or, book a private Girls' Night Out Decorating class and we can teach you the basics for enhancing your spaces with color, all while you enjoy an evening out with friends!


Want more information? Click here or call us today at 513-771-3927.