Blue ..... It conjures up images of the Aegean Sea, the doors of Greek houses, the sky washed clean with Spring rain, fresh French Toile bedding, fields of blooming lupine......
Or... that Blue Hawaiian cocktail and blue stripe beach towel you are dying to start using.
Whatever the color does for you, whether it is fresh, classic, pretty, or moody and mysterious, try putting a little blue in your life:
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Front foyer of the one-room creamery and barn turned home of jewelry designer Mish Tworkowski of Mish New York and partner Joesph Singer, architect. Swedish table and Swedish Stool from Evergreen Antiques.
Elle Decor, May 2008, Photo by William Waldron
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This Guest Room by Peter Marino incorporates varies shades of blue creating a wonderful effect. The blue flame mirror is that element of the unexpected that always makes a space more interesting.
Architectural Digest, May 2008. Photo by Durstan Saylor
When I first saw this Dining Room, and the whole house really, I immediately thought of Axel Vervoordt and his iconic style of rustic yet tailored interiors. Designed by Barbara Westbrook and Kim Winkler, this Dining Room is a blue grey that is so commonly used in Belgian interiors. It is so interesting how this blue, which can easily be a very cool color, has been used in such a warm and cozy way. Pratt and Lambert Paint: Tabacco #33-19
House Beautiful, May 2008, Photo byFrances Janisch
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These two rooms, designed by T. Keller Donovan, carry his blue scheme through the whole house. In the Living Room above, Donovan designed the plaid rug and used Peter Fasano fabrics for curtains (Dotty) and pillow fabric (Camp Leaves). In the Master Bedroom he uses fabric by Zoffany for the pillows and curtains (Maze).
House Beautiful, May 2008. Photos by John Gould Bessler
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Jay Jeffers is nothing if not adventurous. His design for a client's pool house gives off a Mediterranean vibe with it's long sofa piled with blue patterned pillows and the tent painted walls. The pillow in the table is a dog bed...clever. (Although I do wonder how hard it is to pull out of there?) I love all of the different combinations of blue here: sky, turquoise, French. There is even blue woven into the floor covering. Sofa Fabric: Madison in Driftwood, Lulu DK. Dog bed fabric: Old World Weavers.
House Beautiful, May 2008. Photo by James Carriere
I have been doing a little hunting and gathering here to help get you on your way to being
true blue:
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New. Fabric from Lee Jofa.
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Flower sculptures by paper artist Jefferey Rudell on display as part of a silent auction at the New York Botanical Garden's Antique Garden Furniture Show, April 24th.
Photo above via Elle Decor, May 2008
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Large Pitcher in blue from Europe 2 You. $88.00
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London Toile Cushion by Timourous Beasties.
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Verrieres floral chintz fabric by Brunschwig and Fils.
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Bureau Boxes by Seacloth. Set of three, $165.00.
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Blue Damask Bedding by Charlotte Moss. Full/Queen Duvet Cover $815.00.
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Elizabeth Five Arm Chandelier in blue through The Paris Market. $895.00.
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Blue Lacquer Boxes by West Elm. Small, $9.00. Large $19.00 (These are priced so well, I did have to get a couple for myself!)
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Tangiers rug by West Elm. 8'x10', $399.00
For more Blue inspiration, check out The Peak of Chic here.
The construction of our patio fountain has been the biggest project going on at our house lately....at least as far as home improvement is concerned. (Perhaps the bigger project has been shopping for my oldest daughter's foray into the world of higher learning....i.e. dorm room decor....but that is a story for another time.) 
The paint color will also be going on the house. I am thinking a sage green. The trim on the house is white, and the doors will be a glossy dark gun metal grey....almost black. I am also toying with the idea of black and white striped awnings.
Thoughts???
