Interiors

11 Dreadnought Trading Estate, Bridport DT6 5BU 01308 458443 www.bridporttimber.co.uk

Hardwood Flooring Specialists Registered Farrow & Ball Stockist Bespoke In-Home Colour Consultancy Certified Bona Contractor

BLUE SKY THINKING Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber & Flooring

Finishing a decorating project can be immensely satisfying. You’ve unfurled the rug, plumped the sofa cushions, and arranged the lighting to perfection but occasionally it may feel like there’s something missing. It’s not necessarily the accessories that need updating; it just might be that the ceiling is in need of a little love.

I know many of us have been in a decorating frenzy over the last few months, but so often ceilings go undecorated. It can be a tricky job, so it is all too easy to think ‘It’ll do.’ Painting a ceiling white is certainly the safest choice but it can seem like a dull and thankless task. Be brave and paint your ceiling in an unexpected colour and you will be amazed at its transformative effect.

Although coloured ceilings may be mistaken for a recent trend, it was the 19th century style influencer Christopher Dresser who stated that ‘Repose cannot be achieved in a room unless the ceiling is coloured.’ I’m not advocating for you to paint your ceiling scarlet - all but the boldest might find this too much, although I once inherited an orange Anaglypta ceiling which I secretly loved. Dresser’s preference was for a grey-blue somewhere between ultramarine and white, particularly when prettily adorned with scattered pale cream-coloured stars.

Blue has always been a decorator’s favourite; historically, it is rooted in luxury with associations of wealth and it remains the most widely used colour in decoration. Although considered cold by some, lots of the prettiest shades lie on the cusp between green and blue; aqua, teal and duck egg are always popular and never feel chilly. Bright blues can give a vibrant burst of energy, while grey blues have an alluring softness.

Muted, pale blues tend to recede and are perfect for using on a ceiling as they recall the sky, creating rooms that feel made for escapism. There is a tradition for painting front porch ceilings blue in the southern states of America. Dating from the 18th and 19th century, enslaved Africans believed so called ‘Haint Blue’ would keep evil spirits from their homes. By confusing the colour with either the sea or sky, the spirits would pass right through the ceiling, or flee at the sight of the watery blue. A similar shade to traditional Haint Blue is Farrow & Ball’s ‘Dix Blue,’ a moody blue with an underlying green tone and a lived-in, vintage feel.

Another tradition claims that certain blues keep insects away and there may be some historical truth to this. The walls of the cook’s closet at Calke Abbey, which had remained untouched for generations, inspired Farrow & Ball’s intense ‘Cook’s Blue’. Early paints were made with lime, and so would have indeed been an effective insect repellent regardless of the colour.

Most people think a dark ceiling will close in a space, but it can actually make it feel infinite. Push past Christopher Dresser’s light blue ceiling and go as dark as you dare to create a dramatic, glamorous space. The velvety navy of ‘Stiffkey Blue’ or the inky depths of ‘Hague Blue’ bring to mind a night sky, perfect for sleep.

Whatever you do or don’t believe, if painting ceilings blue does ward off bad juju and annoying insects, who am I to argue?

bridporttimber.co.uk

Image from Farrow & Ball Recipes for Decorating, by Joa Studholme (Mitchell Beazley). Available to order from Winstone’s Books at £30. Walls and Trim: Stone Blue No. 86. Bookcase: Pitch Black No. 256. Ceiling: Dix Blue No. 82