I was ten years old when I moved into the house where my parents currently live, and I distinctly remember there being a pale blue ceiling on the front porch. At some point later it was painted white, and I never asked why the ceiling had previously been blue. It turns out that there’s a name for the blue of a porch ceiling: Haint Blue. According to Louisiana legend, a “haint” is a spirit or a ghost. The blue paint represents water through which evil spirits cannot pass. Some say a blue porch ceiling helps extend daylight as dusk begins to fall, and others still believe that it helps keep bugs away. When the tradition began, bugs were deterred by the lye in paint – today many theorize that insects do not nest on blue ceilings because they think the blue paint is the sky.
I asked two experts in the industry about their thoughts on blue ceilings and agree with their opinions:
“In the south you see a fair number of blue ceilings on the porch and sometimes blue trim. The name of this blue is ‘Haint’. For me, porches are an essential part of Southern architecture, and no fine Southern porch would be without a blue ceiling. I fear that the color’s power to ward off bugs and evil spirits is probably just a myth, as I have plenty of the former in the heat of summer, but fortunately none of the latter, so maybe haint blue does work after all. I’ve painted my own bead board ceiling Benjamin Moore’s ‘Palladian Blue’, which was a recommendation from Suzanne Rheinstein. As she is originally from New Orleans, I figure she knows a thing or two about warding off evil spirits!”
– Karen Carroll, former Editor-in-Chief of Southern Accents
“I often use blue for the ceilings of interiors because of its unexpected beauty. I don’t think many Southerners know of its meaning; I believe it is not for safety, but supposedly kept spiders and bugs off of the ceilings. It is successful in most rooms, but best when there is good natural light from windows and doors. The color will add a charming and delightful ‘pop’, and is always a sure winner.”
– Jim Howard, interior designer, owner of Mrs. Howard and Max & Co.
What are your thoughts on blue ceilings, inside and out?
Photo Credits: Localism (1,2) NPR (3) Apartment Therapy (4,5) Margaret Donaldson Interiors (6) Suzanne Kasler (7) Susan Moloney (8) Apartment Therapy (9) India Foster (10) Southern Living (11) Timothy Mather (12)
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Love them…the sky inside what else could be better!
Thank you so much for this interesting post!!!
xx
Greet
They remind me of summers spent at the beach. So, welcoming and refreshing. Love the idea of using the same idea inside.
Laura — Love this post! Those soft blue ceilings are one of my all-time favorite design elements. Everything Karen says rings true. My bedroom is Benjamin Moore’s ‘Palladian Blue’ but I’ve been longing to see the color on the ceiling in a different room. I think some of the interior ceilings in Suzanne Rheinstein’s house have a blue tint — just stunning with all of her greens!
Another variation on this is the custom, around the Mediterranean, to paint windows and doors blue. The idea is that evil spirits will think it is the sky and won’t come in.
Quite pretty too, with white walls.
I plan to paint my porch ceiling a “haint” blue for the summer., currently it is wooden, which is lovely- but I think the blue will add just the lift…thanks for the inspiration.
pve
Laura – enjoyed reading this post – a refreshing read amid our mid-January doldrums – and I love that blue hue, used not only on porches, but as you show in kitchens, bedrooms, & living rooms. it’s cooling and soothing.
I have been a fan since living in Charleston, SC. Somewhere along the way I had a tour guide at a plantation say that originally there was a mineral in the blue paint that helped repel mosquitoes. In SC they call it Gullah blue, same thoughts behind it, wards of f evil spirits and repels bugs (could they be the same thing?) I painted my porch ceiling blue and my bedroom ceiling the same blue. I love it it!!! It’s a gorgeous color and anytime the outside comes in it feels calming and natural. Great post. My in-laws live in Baton Rouge, father-in-law works for LSU (Geaux Tigers). I have become a huge fan of the state and am in LOVE with New Orleans:)
Blue and Blue – How Excellent!!!
Maryruth
the more appropriate name for the porch ceiling blue is fly speck blue. it’s a term used in the south to describe this color. It has to do with the idea that the color fended off flies.
So interesting, Laura! I actually learned that my favorite shade of weathered blue shutters in Provence are painted that color to deter bugs, so it makes sense that the porch ceilings would do the same. Who knew? And all this time I just thought everyone in Provence had great taste in color!
Xo…Linsey
I love the blue ceilings in the images you shared. I think I lean more towards liking them outside but I especially love that very cool white kitchen….fabulous!
My best,
Tricia
I’m in Mississippi and I gave my contractor a long list of repairs to make to our new home before we moved in, and painting the porch ceiling blue was among them! SW Silvermist works well for this. (Silvermist is also especially welcome in dark, small laundry rooms where it feels clean and fresh, but not at all cold.)
Laying in my bed right now (fighting off pneumonia) under a blue ceiling. Can’t remember the shade used off the top of my head, but I love it. Did the same thing in our entry/formal/dining area. Very very pale, set off by wide thick white crown molding. Lovely! Wish I had a porch to paint blue too. Love the porches!
I love them! As a Southerner, I’ve heard the “keep bugs away” line although I’m not sure I believe it.
My back porch has a Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue ceiling.
Laura, I had never heard of blue porch ceilings until we moved to Fredericksburg. You wouldn’t believe how common they are – on the most beautiful homes as well as the old run down farm houses – in town and in the country. We have problems with wasp nests, dirt dobber nests, and barn swallows nests. All very messy and an eyesore – not to mention bird poop! I think the blue ceilings do help keep some of these things to a minimum, but as far as evil spirits – hmmm….I had not heard that one. Lovely images!
Laura: love this! I live in mobile alabama and a porch just isn’t complete without a haint blue ceiling. I actually volunteered for the downtown mobile walking tour for a couple years and all the literature we were given claimed that bugs and birds confused the blue ceiling with the sky and therefore made their nests (and bathrooms) elswhere. Who knows if it necessarily works, but they sure are purdy
Blue porch ceilings are one of my favorite things about Southern architecture! We painted our porch ceiling Rainwater by Martha Stewart (see post here) – it’s a pretty shade of blue with hints of green/gray. We were told that it would keep the mud dobbers from making nests – so far so good! Loved this post!
Laura I think a blue ceiling is a nice pop of color,and well the attention to detail is very nice.
Love the stories of lore though!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Interesting to know a little “lore” about why things come about. Besides, it’s a nice addition / unexpected that make it more special.
Paul
Forgot to tell you that I linked to you in my post yesterday: http://www.llhdesignsblog.com/2011/01/what-day-is-it-really.html
Xo,
Linsey
Laura,
To one southern girl to another…blue ceilings are just in our DNA…especially outside. I have 2 and one is inside…in the foyer!
xo,~R
Wow, that was a fabulous post! I am so charmed by life in the south ( I’m from way north in Canada ) so it is so cool to learn about the blue ceilings. Thanks! x
Love the blue ceilings – in our bedroom, dining room, and bathroom at home. And on our porch at our office (our office is in a 1906 house). Very uplifting, charming, and I haven’t seen any bugs . . . so maybe it’s working. Love the posts, Susan
I have never hear about the Haint Blue – so interesting! But, I do adore a blue ceiling. I have one in my bedroom…leans to a celadon color. And, my youngest has a perfect light blue ceiling. Not baby blue….just a notch lighter.
Let’s keep the evil spirits OUT!
xo Elizabeth
Hi my friend,
I am not even going to read the comments. I don’t even want to know the verdict. But you have no IDEA how timely this was. I am giving Prince William’s room a makeover and I have decided to paint the wall white and the ceiling – YES! light blue! I had absolutely no idea that there is even a name (or meaning) for blue ceilings! How fun!!! I will so link this post to one of my next posts. Perfect!!!!!!!
Hope you are well.
Mon
Interesting and good to know! I never knew the story behind that and my customers love it when I share little bits of “trivia” like that with them. Thanks for sharing!
What a treat to find a space of ours (4th down with brick fireplace) featured on your beautiful blog! Thanks for the shout out.