The Beauty Of Blue And White

Blue and white is a classic, clean, fresh pairing that is perfect for the home and appeals to just about everyone. Popular for centuries, it is always ripe for reinvention, and to help inspire our next blue-and-white incarnation we reached out to Rebecca Rosenberg, owner of SOUTH in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (where people know a thing or two about shades of blue) for advice on how to incorporate the combination into our everyday decor. Here are her recommendations:

  • Think of the combination as a neutral. This dynamic duo works well with all colors, so be creative. It is extremely appealing to mix multiple shades of blue together and layer textures, shades, and patterns.
  • Antique pieces of blue-and-white ceramics work well with reproductions. Let your budget decide which pieces you invest in, and mix high and low together for a well-rounded look.
  • Blue-and-white vases accommodate any color of flower, but here are some of my favorite vessel and floral pairings: small vases in the spring with lily of the valley, large vases with branches of flowering quince, cattail moss or boxwood balls in bowls, any type of hydrangea, sunflowers in the summer, bachelor’s buttons, roses (the list is endless!).
  • Blue and white is ideal for the tabletop. I like to use blue and white fouta on the table, white dishes, white napkins with a blue ribbon in place of a napkin ring and a small flower tucked between the napkin and the ribbon, blue-and-white salad plates, inexpensive blue-and-white vases, and I just layer, layer, layer.
  • In the family room, accessorize with blue and white accents. On your taupe sofa (let’s face it, we all have a taupe sofa), add blue and white pillows and a Sferra throw in whatever shade of blue works with your scheme. Dress your coffee table with blue-and-white-themed books, including A Passion for Blue & White by Carolyne Roehm, Beauty at Home by Aerin Lauder, and Blue & White Living by Stephanie Hoppen.

Expert tip from Rebecca Rosenberg of SOUTH in Chapel Hill, NC. Tip image of project by Kendall Wilkinson Design in San Francisco, CA.