Decorating with Blues and Whites

Following trends can be fun, but there’s something to be said for the classics. If you’re tired of "here today, gone tomorrow" home décor, consider a timeless color combination. Pantone’s greenery may be all the rage right now, but a soothing palette of blue and white promises to stand the test of time.

Wallpaper

Go bold and cover a wall with your favorite shade of blue. Pale robin’s egg blue walls with white crown molding or wainscoting pairs brilliantly with richer hues: an azure sofa or brass fixtures. You can still add throws and pillows for a few au courant accents. And don’t be shy about incorporating deep, dark blues into your color scheme. You can offset the heaviness of cobalt, navy and midnight blue walls with flashier pieces. If you're looking for inspiration, we recommend the showroom at Schumacher.

Tile

A blue and white tile backsplash in the kitchen recalls fine blue and white Chinese porcelain. For a pattern that's a bit more modern, consider a blue and white chevron. Kitchen or bathroom, blue and white harmonizes with all the rooms in your home where the sounds of running water make sweet music. Browse the extensive tile collection at Ann Sacks for more ideas.

Flooring

Blue floors? Why not! Popular in the late 1700s, painted wood floors still stand out in any home. Consider white walls and a painted blue floor to give your interior spaces a nautical feel. And no need to limit yourself to solids. Alternating stripes of light and dark blue or a blue and white checkerboard pattern can help bring your flooring to the foreground. Of course, a new rug is a great alternative to getting out the rollers and brushes. Even a modest area rug can transform any room with its colors and textures. Find your perfect floor covering at The Rug Company.

Accessories

So maybe you aren’t ready to cover the walls and floors blue, or retile a bathroom, or invest in a new suite of living room furniture. This doesn’t mean you can’t add blue and white to your existing décor. Transform a neutral room with blue window treatments or a blue-saturated work of original art. Or group a collection of blue and white vases on a dark wood credenza or dresser. Scout Design Studio's furniture and accessories — both vintage and new — are sure to spark your imagination.

With so many different blues to choose from, you’re sure to find something pleasing to your eye. Whether you go for expanses of pale blue as wide (and peaceful) as the sky or with darker tones that evoke an ocean voyage, blue makes for a lasting look. Discover the best in blue at the shops and showrooms in the Dallas Design District.