Blue is the colour to create tranquil, versatile home environments
How to combine stylish fabrics, furniture and timeless colour schemes
Velvety pillows and a fleece throw create a little touch of luxury and convey warmth and comfort in this cozy cottage bedroomCopyright @ 2013 Mark Lohman
With a spectrum encompassing such a wide variety of shades – from peaceful and serene hues inspired by sea and sky to more dramatic tones reflecting deep oceans and storm clouds – the marriage of blue and white is perennial. It is classic, timeless, tried and true.
Fabrics
Blue fabrics come in infinite variations on the beloved colour and a multitude of textures and patterns. Natural fibres such as cotton, linen, wool and silk can be finely woven for a smooth finish or embraced with all their imperfections. Deep-pile velvets and chenilles bring a rich softness to more sophisticated schemes. Whether mixing hues or favouring just one, materials play an important role in making spaces feel curated.
Patterns also contribute a significant part in setting a mood by influencing visual perception, evoking emotions and creating an atmosphere. Be it in a sleek and contemporary home, a relaxed beach retreat, a sophisticated townhouse or a coastal cottage, the beauty of fabrics is the ability to achieve a unified and aesthetically pleasing appearance. The right mix of textiles never fails to instill charm, style and timelessness in any room.
Furniture
Vintage pieces are tied together by their simple lines and harmonious mix of colours, which keep this room from being too feminine.Copyright @ 2013 Mark Lohman
Furniture is much more than about filling a space. It plays a crucial part in establishing the overall mood and functionality of a room and in creating aesthetic appeal. Furniture designs run the gamut of styles and materials, but when it comes to finishes, blue is favoured for its capacity to transform a space from quiet to dramatic as well as adding depth and dimension.
A single sofa, chair or dresser/chest of drawers can kick any room up a notch and evoke a preferred atmosphere – from historical and classic to modern and laid-back – while pairing pieces from various eras allows for a dynamic and layered look. Rather than buying everything new, consider repainting the furniture you have to fit your chosen blue palette. Mixing different hues generates interest, whereas maintaining a cohesive scheme creates a soothing atmosphere.
Blue & white
Many colours are compatible with blue, as the homes in this book demonstrate, but it has a special affinity with certain hues. Above all others, blue and white is a much-loved combination. The secret power of blue, aside from delivering aesthetic beauty, is how beautifully it works with white regardless of the style or location of a home. This timeless union has the ability to evoke the unfussy charm of coastal cottages and farmhouses, yet it can also impart sophistication when used in urban dwellings. Blue and white bring continuity to a neutral scheme and a fashion-forward allure to more laid-back rooms.
I found ‘my sweet home’
When their eldest daughter Sarah and her family bought a home in Valencia, California, Griselle and William Fiss sold theirs in Glendale and relocated to live nearby.
“I felt that 30 miles away would be too far for us to go back and forth to spend time with our two grandsons,” says Griselle. “Family is very important, and we have chosen to stay close to each other.”
The couple’s former home sold the first day it went on the market, which created quite a dilemma for them.
“I have always lived in older homes with loads of character,” recalls Griselle. “But we had to find a place in a hurry and there wasn’t anything for sale in this area. Then this house popped up and we grabbed it.”
It wasn’t easy to go from their Cape Cod-style residence to this newer property. “However, we loved the mature greenery of the area, and the style reminded us of the old-school architecture of Glendale, where we both grew up,” Griselle says. “And although it was a tract home, the house offered some lovely features that didn’t feel too run-of-the-mill: the courtyard, arched doorways, tall ceilings and balconies.”
It took some doing to make that house a home, but Griselle got to work putting her very own stamp on the spaces.
“I like to name our houses,” she says. “We called this one Ma Douce Maison because I wanted to include French elements.”
And so the metamorphosis began. “Our vision for both exterior and interior was to create an atmosphere that is not only appealing but also welcoming. We started from the curb and headed forward! In the courtyard we added topiaries, espaliers, dozens of roses and bedding plants, a fountain, arbors and black-and-white cabana-striped awnings. Then we kept the French vibe flowing inside and into the back garden.”
Griselle, a retired educator, has long been passionate about vintage and antiques. She buys and sells at established shows such as the famed Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena and on her Etsy shop, named Cosy Rose Cottage after her former home in Glendale. As for William, he is semi-retired from working his entire life in his family’s florist shop. Griselle says, “I am so happy he loves to go shopping with me and assists me when I do my pop-up shows. I am grateful he is onboard with my decorating style and is not at all threatened by the aesthetic of our home.”
From the stylish headboard repurposed to cover the fireplace to the chairs, sofa and ottoman dressed in white and the soft blue accents, Griselle’s living room boasts a ready-to-entertain spirit and an understated eleganceCopyright @ 2013 Mark Lohman
Side by side and room by room, the couple undertook all the cosmetic updates needed for their 3,400-square-foot home to become the jewel it is today. Out went the old faux paint finishes and the odd golden shade of the walls in favour of white eggshell paint to brighten the rooms and provide continuity between the spaces. New floors were installed and outdated built-in cabinetry removed, including the bathroom vanities.
“We started with a clean slate, and then we slowly began to add our own touches,” Griselle explains. “A lot of my previous furniture didn’t work, so sadly, I had to sell it and search for the right pieces.”
She sought out items that were not only compatible with the aesthetic she enjoys as well as working with the scale of the rooms. “I wanted an airy feel, not cluttered with excessive furnishings or accessories. This is hard because I truly love furniture and buying things,” she says.
Griselle has a wonderful eye for interiors. “My mother was extremely artistic and I can barely draw a stick figure, but I am grateful that decorating comes relatively easy and is something I truly enjoy.”
And she has always had a special appreciation for antiques. “As a little girl, I remember my dad taking me to an auction, where he bought me a bed. I’ve learned over the years from talking to dealers, doing research and asking questions from others who share the same style.
