My Blue Heaven: New Reasons to Love the Color of Sea and Sky

Derived from gems, worn by royalty and loved the world over, blue has a past as deep as the midnight sky

February 10, 2014
With a background in preservation and architecture, Boston-based interior designer Liz Miller combines classic style with a focus on function, providing timeless solutions for her clients. A mother of two, she's always on the lookout for family-friendly solutions that can make your house a home. Visit her at ermillerdesign.com
With a background in preservation and architecture, Boston-based interior designer... More
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Blue is a go-to color. Almost everyone likes it, and with good reason. Blue makes us think of the sky, the sea and the heavens. It evokes a sense of trustworthiness, dignity — even royalty.

But how did we get this color? As you might know, it wasn’t used in ancient cave drawings. Blue developed over time, a shade at a time. A little history might give you new reasons to love this hue — or new ways to introduce it into your home.
Mediterranean Hall by Dan Forer, Photographer
Dan Forer, Photographer
In ancient times blue pigments came from a semiprecious stone called lapis lazuli. Consequently, the color was costly to produce, so it became associated with royalty — a connection that remains to this day.

The Egyptians and Chinese prized the color and worked to create blue pigments, mixing various mined elements such as copper, lead and limestone. The Mesoamericans made their own version of blue using resins and plant extracts. Egyptian blue, Han blue and Mayan blue were some of the first incarnations.
Contemporary Bathroom by David Ling Architect
David Ling Architect
The Romans used blue simply as a background color. By Byzantine times, churches featured dramatic blue mosaic ceilings mixed with gold, echoing the heavens and the sun, and adding glamour.

In the bathroom, use blue mosaic tiles to emulate not only an ocean effect, but to reference the color’s ancient past.
Traditional Dining Room by Farinelli Construction, Inc.
Farinelli Construction, Inc.
Ceilings are still a popular place for the color. Try a midnight blue ceiling in your dining room for a traditional celestial effect.
Traditional Living Room In Atlanta Homes with Thomasville Furniture
If midnight doesn’t strike you as the right time of day for your room, try a pale sky blue on the ceiling instead.
Traditional Porch by Norris Architecture
Norris Architecture
Or use a light blue on the ceiling of your porch. It’s a classic way to echo the sky as a transition from the exterior to the interior of a home.
Traditional Porch by Peter Zimmerman Architects
Peter Zimmerman Architects
Or turn things upside down. Instead of using blue on a ceiling, as in ancient churches, apply it to the floor.
Contemporary Family Room by amanda nisbet
amanda nisbet
Blue was neither common nor prized for many centuries. In Celtic culture blue was the color of barbarians (think Braveheart). The Catholic Church, however, gave blue a boost around the 12th century when the Virgin Mary was commonly shown wearing robes of a deep blue-purple color called ultramarine. Ultramarine became the most expensive version of blue for centuries, another link to royalty and divinity.

The wall shown here is upholstered in ultramarine wool felt — an exquisite touch that seems entirely in keeping with this color’s royal history.
by Tobi Fairley Interior Design
Tobi Fairley Interior Design
Blue and white is a classic color combination with a storied past. It was popularized through Chinese porcelains that were covered in intricate blue and white patterns. The vases, tea sets and other porcelain items were exported to Europe beginning in the 14th century, and were copied by European manufacturers for centuries.
by Bandhini Homewear Design
Bandhini Homewear Design
The color combination remains popular today. You can’t go wrong layering blue and white pillows in various patterns and shades on a neutral background.
Contemporary Kitchen by Howells Architecture + Design
Howells Architecture + Design
By the 15th century, smalt, a glass containing cobalt, was ground up and used for paint, making blue more obtainable and forever changing the world of fine art painting. Can you imagine a work by Monet without it? Try using a strong blue, like cobalt blue, where it will make a statement.
Beach Style Living Room by User
User
Higher-quality indigo blue was imported to Europe from India in the 16th century, replacing the blue popularly made from the woad plant. Indigo is a deep, saturated blue that holds its color more than earlier versions did. European kings, especially the French, favored it.

Indigo is now a common part of our daily life, appearing in everything from jeans to textiles. It’s a bit exotic, a bit true American, dressy and casual at the same time. It works well in a multifunction room such as a family room, where you might host a cocktail party one night and a game night another.
Traditional Entry by Charmean Neithart Interiors
Charmean Neithart Interiors
Prussian blue was created by a Berlin chemist in the early 1700s and was one of the earliest synthetic blues. It was also used by George Washington at Mount Vernon, giving it a solid presence on American soil. It makes an amazing front door color — a product of science that conjures the beauty of nature.
Beach Style Bedroom by Woodmeister Master Builders
Woodmeister Master Builders
Instead of using blue as a strong accent to showcase its exclusive past, use it everywhere as a neutral color that envelops the room. Make it subtle or …
Traditional Hall by Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
… make it dramatic.

No matter how you use your favorite shade of blue, take a moment to think about why you like it and how it will affect your space. You might just learn something new — not only about the color, but about yourself.

More: Dreaming in Color: 10 Beautiful Blue Bedrooms
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katiecastro
I must have a blue room, after seeing these rooms. I collect the old blue plates and cups. Love and a must.
   
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PRO
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
The blue in this kitchen is Sherwin Williams "Drizzle". It goes great with white cabinetry and stainless steel!
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Sleek Stainless Steel Kitchen of the Future from Dura Supreme Cabinetry · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/sleek-stainless-steel-kitchen-of-the-future-from-dura-supreme-cabinetry-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~7701317d036a8552_9-7700-1-89975a9.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/sleek-stainless-steel-kitchen-of-the-future-from-dura-supreme-cabinetry-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~7701317d036a8552_7700-1-89975a9-w240-h128-b0-p0.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="128" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,11860184);return false;"/>
Sleek Stainless Steel Kitchen of the Future from Dura Supreme Cabinetry · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/jenn-air-cooking-technology-and-contemporary-cabinetry-from-dura-supreme-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~e111770d036a854c_9-7701-1-4f49d5f.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/jenn-air-cooking-technology-and-contemporary-cabinetry-from-dura-supreme-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~e111770d036a854c_7701-1-4f49d5f-w240-h159-b0-p0.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="159" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,11860182);return false;"/>
Jenn-Air Cooking Technology and Contemporary Cabinetry from Dura Supreme · More Info

https://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/pictures/kitchens/sleek-stainless-steel-kitchen-of-the-future-from-dura-supreme-cabinetry-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~0ef1cfbf036a8560_9-7701-1-c04a693.jpg" src=" https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/pictures/kitchens/sleek-stainless-steel-kitchen-of-the-future-from-dura-supreme-cabinetry-dura-supreme-cabinetry-img~0ef1cfbf036a8560_7701-1-c04a693-w240-h170-b0-p0.jpg" data-pin-no-hover="true" width="240" height="170" onmousedown="preventImageDrag(event)" ondragstart="return false" onselectstart="return false" oncontextmenu="PhotoContextMenu.show(event,11860197);return false;"/>
Sleek Stainless Steel Kitchen of the Future from Dura Supreme Cabinetry · More Info
   
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Cindy Reineke
Where are curtains from in picture with hydrangeas on table?
   

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