Renovation Detail: The Blue Porch Ceiling
I’m on a mission to decorate our front porch. I have my eyes on a Craftsman-style front door, and Chippendale balustrades are crucial, but come hell or high water I will be painting our ceiling blue.
Blue painted ceilings are located on porches across America, often for different reasons. Historians say the grim porch ceiling was created in South Carolina, where a bunch of African witches believed that ghosts, or even “haints,” could not cross water. In painting their porches blue, they hoped the spirits will be confused with the water-colored colors and tricked into thinking they could not enter their dwelling. The school of thought became well known that regardless of the color blue, blue exterior home accents were dubbed Haint Blue.
Even as the ghost legend faded, porch ceilings continued to be painted blue at the South and across the USA. Most homeowners paint their porch ceilings blue as a insect repellent. It’s said that insects won’t nest on ceilings as they’re duped into thinking that the blue surface is actually the sky.
Others simply paint their porch ceilings blue for decorative reasons, whether to emulate the skies and extend the sensation of daylight hours merely as blue is a beautiful color. My choice is purely for decorative reasons, although I’m not against about warding off bugs and ghosts!
LORRAINE G VALE, Allied ASID
Perhaps this South Carolina homeowner thinks in “haints.”
Anthony Baratta LLC
A ceiling painted glowing sea-foam green is a contemporary, vibrant alternative to the historic trend.
Soorikian Architecture
A darker blue with a hint of slate pops against this white house. The floor is also blue for ghost protection.
Changing Spaces, Michelle Jacoby
A dash of blue adds color and interest to this otherwise neutral exterior palette.
Allied ASID, LORRAINE G VALE
This exterior kitchen is filled with fabulous details. Crafts, Arts and Crown molding trim and a ceiling combine for the wow element.
Crisp Architects
Blue painted ceilings are also appropriate in enclosed screened-in porches.
Home & Harmony
The Ottava Pendant is an excellent choice to hang out of this porch ceiling.
JacksonBuilt Custom Homes
JacksonBuilt Custom Homes keeps the tradition going in South Carolina.
Norris Architecture
A traditional Southern home is suitably outfitted with a subtle blue ceiling.
Crisp Architects
A blue ceiling extends the sensation of daylight hours and stipulates the Hudson Valley, New York.
Benjamin Moore
Polar Sky Paint
Benjamin Moore’s Polar Sky is the best example of a timeless Haint Blue while the blue ought to be chosen dependent on the color palette of your home.