Lately, there has been quite a bit of talk about “Cerulean Blue” making a comeback in the upcoming Devil Wears Prada sequel… which I can’t wait to see! While fashion trends come and go, I’ve always been drawn to colors that carry a bit of history and purpose, which inspired me to talk about how blue is a global tradition.
On my recent O.A.T. (Overseas Adventure Travel) tour with my daughter, Caroline, along the Nile in Egypt, I was captivated by the vibrant blue paint on the mud-brick walls of the farming villages we visited. It was everywhere—inside the houses and out. When I asked “why” this choice of color, I expected a poetic answer, but the locals were very practical: they use it to repel mosquitoes! (And interestingly, while the walls were a stunning blue, the ceilings inside were left white or natural.)
We have a historical tradition closer to home. Whether you are walking through New England or exploring the Old South and coastal towns, soft, watery blue porch ceilings are a frequent and lovely sight. It is a tradition that has spanned over 200 years in America, lending a subtle decorative detail that feels serene.
But why blue ceilings? There are actually two schools of thought on why we do this. Many are familiar with the “Haint Blue” folklore—the idea that the color mimics water, or the sky, to ward off evil spirits or “haints.” But there is a second, much more functional reason that mirrors what I heard in Egypt: the belief that the blue tricks bugs (and birds!) into thinking they are outdoors so they don’t nest or linger.
It’s fascinating to think that for centuries, the color blue has served as a global “bug security system” for homes, whether it’s applied to a village wall on the banks of the Nile or a historic porch ceiling here in America. Blue is clearly more than just a color—it’s a shared history.
I’ll still be keeping an eye out for “Cerulean Blue” on the big screen. Who doesn’t adore a color that tells a story?
May your week be as serene as a soft blue porch ceiling, and may you find beauty in the details!
Xx
Holly